The Imaginations’ more sedate ‘Strange Neighborhood’ beat ballad, like the Eddie Whitehead record, hails from Cincinnati.

Whilst there can never be a substitute for owning the original 45s (anyone with a spare copy of Dan Folger for sale? If there is a certificate we’ve missed out on then it’s probably for a 50 metre swim badge at the local swimming baths. The trademark guitar chords herald an ultra-soulful lament and the brass section apes Johnny Pate’s Impressions arrangements to a tee. Breaking away from the general Kent tradition of same label / subsidiary label compilations, Classiest Rarities consists of a dozen or so labels from all corners of the USA. Turning tradition on its head and commencing with an 'ender', and a side that was first spun by Randy Cozens at the very early 6T's sessions and also championed by Eddie Hubbard via his Slow And Deep column in Shades Of Soul, Dan Folger's - The Way Of The Crowd is a real gem.Crazy Things’ by the unknown Joe Douglas, one of Jack’s earliest productions, was cut in Philly with a Motor City backing track.

Pat Powdrill’s ‘Do It’ proceeds at a furious pace but the great melody makes it an indispensable listen, even if the dancers’ legs can’t keep up. Our other Jesse, Mr Davis demoed his big beat ballad ‘There’s Someone For me’ for none other than Dean Martin who must have been on a bender when he foolishly rejected it. More recently we acquired the Fidels’ version of the Puffs’ Doré sleeper ‘I Only Cry Once A Day Now’ – a historic recording from the revered group. Special mention in dispatches for Barbara Redd's I'll Be All Alone, which potentially may raise a few eyebrows. That disc eventually became a Northern Soul classic, as did Jackie Day’s ‘Naughty Boy’, Johnnie Taylor’s ‘Friday Night’ and Betty Turner’s ‘The Winds Kept Laughing’.New York, LA, Detroit, Memphis, Nashville, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Norfolk are all represented here. Throw in the imploring vocal, with some key changes that are reminiscent of If I Fell by the Beatles and you have a truly gorgeous side that thoroughly deserves its legendary status. The first version of Claude Huey’s ‘Why Would You Blow It’ by the unknown Isaiah Smith was discovered among the Galaxy tapes, as was the Brothers Of Soul’s ‘I Need Your Love’ – any previously unheard track by this redoubtable outfit is big soul news.

Producer Dave Hamilton managed to employ an accomplished brass section for the date and the sax solo is so skilful that I’m thinking “maybe Sonny Stitt?These four sides, combined with the calibre and talent of the Imaginations, the Diplomats, Joe Simon, Eddie Whitehead, Bettye Swann, Johnny Wyatt, the Delfonics, Unique Blend et al create an unparalleled collection of sides that will surely enhance your life. This activity is still prevalent today and it's virtually impossible to put into words the sheer thrill and delight on hearing a quality 'new' side on tape which leaps immediately to the top of your 'wants' list and you spend the next twenty years in the fervent hope that one day you WILL unearth a copy! Tracks such as Marva Holiday’s ‘It’s Written All Over My Face’ and Darrow Fletcher’s Detroit-produced ‘What Good Am I Without You’ were played at the famous Northern Soul venues of yesteryear but got lost in the waves of 70s discoveries. Quite simply, it's a work of art, structured around a highly-addictive backbeat and complemented by a infectious saxophone along with some compelling guitar work.