Idea instigated by our favourite four-to-the-floor expert, The Insider.

Domenic Williams’ Miles Away Records has just reissued another well selected, super soulful gem. The blast from from the past this time is Super Star, by Ruth ‘Silky’ Waters, a Texan native best known for her work with John Davis, which resulted in two dynamite, disco-infused albums. Since the single, once again, suggests that Dom really knows his stuff, I put that knowledge to the test by hitting him for a few more soul and funk classics from the Lone Star State. 

Super selections and wonderful words by Domenic Williams.

Joe Hinton / Got You On My Mind 

The mellow tones of Joe Hinton brought him a gold disc in 1964, for his version of Willie Nelson’s Funny How Time Slips Away, but his considerable catalogue of Back Beat 45s are all worth listening to, especially when he tums his gospel powers fully to the “on” position, as he does so successfully on the lively Got You On My Mind.

The Latin Breed / I Turn On You 

This is some genuine, down home, cornbread funk, straight from the soul. I first came across this wicked track on a Texas Funk compilation via Jazzman Records. They later put it out as a 45, and the flip side, Hot To Handle, is also a killer. The Latin Breed formed in San Antonio in 1968 and scored a number of Latin radio hits. Their latest album came out as recently as 2002. 

Aretha Franklin / Save Me 

I had to include something from the Queen of Soul. Her legendary album, I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You, recorded at Muscle Shoals, was one of the first albums I ever purchased. I’ve played my copy to death, and I always thought that Save Me the sleeper hit on it. 

Clarence Carter / Slip Away 

The opening licks of this song are simply the sweetest on record… a true masterpiece of soul. This is another track recorded at Muscle Shoals, and it featured on the 1968 album, This Is Clarence Carter. I love everything Clarence Carter has done. He’s up there with the best in my opinion, and Slip Away has got to be one of his best tunes! 

Barbara Lynn / Movin’ On A Groove 

Born in Beaumont, Texas, Barbara Lynn is an extremely talented lady. A rhythm and blues guitarist, singer and songwriter, perhaps best known for her 1962 chart-topping hit, You’ll Lose a Good Thing. Movin’ On A Groove, though, is a massive crossover, modern soul tune, and never leaves my record box. 

Esther Phillips / Home Is Where the Hatred Is

This is a fabulous reworking of the Gil Scott Heron classic. Esther Phillips was a absolutely fantastic blues and jazz vocalist, who, however didn’t fulfil her huge potential, since she should have been a household name. Esther died aged only 48, from liver and kidney failure, caused by chronic drug use.

Gloria Edwards / Enough Of Woman

I only own one 45 by Gloria Edwards, but it’s a beauty. I always play this at The Corner club night, at Soho’s The House Of St Barnabas, and it always goes down a storm. Released on Crazy Cajun in the late `70s. Gloria’s voice in this track absolutely stunning! 

Allison & The South Funk Boulevard Band / Pay Before You Lay

The third track on the 1978 album, Allison & The South Funk Boulevard Band, this is a sublime slice of superb soul music from Houston. The OG is far too expensive, so nab the Superfly reissue if you can. 

The Majestics / Funky Chick 

As far as funk 45s are concerned, Funky Chick, is surely one of the funkiest. Pressed in 1969 on the Morsound label. Apparently there were only 500 copies ever made, but thankfully it was reissued by Jazzman. What a groove, what a bass line, some heavy heavy horns, all mixed together, it makes me go crazy! 

The Ascots / Color Me Soul 

Sweet and classy. The Ascots were a soul group from Texas led by Huey P Meaux. They only released one album, which includes this track, Color Me Soul. The group, however, recorded a batch of material under an array of different aliases, of which The Ascots was only one… so apparently there’s a warehouse out there somewhere holding a stack of undiscovered treasure from them. 

Ruth Waters’ Super Star is out now on Miles Away Records.