Description
OUR LONG AWAITED, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED, NEW SINGLE IS OUT NOW!
THIS UNKNOWN TRACK IS AN OH-SO-GOOD & SOULFUL FUNKY MODERN MOVER RIGHT FOR TODAY’S ‘UPFRONT’ NORTHERN/RARE SOUL SCENE AND ALSO A GROOVY ‘RARE’ DISCO MOVER WITH ONLY A LIMITED AMOUNT OF COPIES BEING MADE.
Mary Love is a much loved Soul-music legend, her sublime recordings are of equal quality to the likes of Linda Jones, Betty Everett and Betty Wright, but the deserved commercial success did not happen.
Nevertheless, she had a global career, appreciation came from those Soul loving people up there in the North of England where she became the ‘Queen of Northern Soul’!
The incredible ‘More Love (And Then Some)’ was written by Mary & Michael Stevenson in 1981 and was recorded in ’83 at Birdclift Studios in Culver City, CA and involved some really big names like David Majal Ii (Marvin Gaye, Parliament, SOS Band), Fred Wesley (James Brown, Funkadelic, JBs), Kenny Mason (Mandrill & Harvey Mason’s brother)and even backing vocals by none less than Fontella Bass under the direction and guidance of the great producer: George Semper.
Strangely, the track did not get released at the time and remained unknown, apart from inclusion on two compilations around 2000, and one on the legendary US record label “Luv‘N’Haight” from San Francisco.
So, for the first time on a vinyl 45 here is Mary Love with ‘More Love’, in simillar style to to our previous ‘Candy Rae’ release the single features two mixes, the original George Semper studio mix from ’83 on our A-side together with another, slightly more dancefloor-orientated mix by Jr. & Altroy on the flip, of course carefully done with BIG respect of the original and no addition off strange effects or the like.
Mary’s voice amplified ‘across the pond’, connecting American music artists of African descent to the UK Northern & Rare Soul scene and NOW achieving the next step in the evolution to today’s global urban music through our not only central European, but WORLDWIDE PREMIERE of this cool, limited 7″ vinyl single.
This KILLER OVO (Original Vinyl Only) SOUL 7″ available here for the first time EVER on official Austrian release is perfect for the dancefloor and sounds just as good in your living room.
It’s time to give this *TUNE* REAL LOVE (AND THEN SOME)!
*ISSUE WITH STYLISH PICTURE SLEEVE AND GORGEOUS POSTCARD INLAY!*
Joel Semper Brockman’s liner notes:
“I discovered Mary Ann Allan, pka Mary Love, recordings while exploring my late fathers music catalog. George Semper collaborators were a talented troupe who changed the world! Children of segregation who became a liberated creative class producing innovative Jazz, Funk, & Soul music. Mary, being one, overcame a difficult childhood through music, crafting a global career, and becoming the Queen of UK Northern Soul!
“More Love (And Then Some)” written by Mary & Michael Stevenson in 1981 recorded in 83 at Birdclift Studios in Culver City, CA. along with “Take It It’s Yours,” unreleased “Mister Sunshine,” & “Can You Feel Me.” Lively sessions engineered by Robert Ferrell (DJ Rogers), David Majal Ii (Marvin Gaye, Parliament, SOS Band) horn arrangements with Fred Wesley (James Brown, Funkadelic, JBs), & Kenny Mason (Mandrill & Harvey Mason’s brother). Backed by Fontella Bass (‘Rescue Me’) & Robbie Love first time vocals, produced by Nathaniel ‘Basey’ Johnson & George Semper, with Ray ‘Brother Puff’ Johnson drums. B side is a dance-inspired alt mix by the talented Jr. & Altroy, lightly touched with their authentic sound as past semper releases on Record Shack.
Mary began music singing in church as a child, her first paying gig at 17 after an open mic. She joined band The Vows & discovered by Sam Cooke’s manager J.W. Alexander, she cut demos including Cookes ‘Talking Trash’. 1964 a pinnacle year for an 18 yr old Mary, Hal Davis bestowed stage name “Love”, she secured a contract with Motown. Her family grew, marrying Ed Alexander Versey, they welcomed daughter Robbie, & later Sons Michael and Derrick. ‘A Touch of Venus’ produced by manager Marc Gordon was released by Sandy Wynns. In 65 Gordon secured a Modern Records deal at the end of her Motown contract.
From 1965 to 67 Mary released 6 singles on Modern leading with gem ‘You Turned My Bitter Into Sweet ‘/ ‘I’m in Your Hands’. Her 66 LP’ ‘Move A Little Closer’ charted & in 67 ‘Baby I’ll Come’ penned by a young Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson. Love, Ashford, & Simpson also collaborated on Mary’s favorite ‘Dance Children Dance’. And in 68 ‘The Hurt Is Just Beginning’/ ‘If You Change Your Mind’ an uncredited Love, Ashford & Simpson collab on Josie Records. The A side memorialized by protesters during Huey Newton trials adopting lyrics “Don’t let it happen!”
Her 1971 LP ‘There’s Someone For Me’ on Elco was recorded at Ray Charles studio in LA. Ray engineered the sessions himself! She first recorded with Semper in 72 backing Brenton Wood, Semper, & Al McKay in United Soul Association releasing single ’Sticky Boom Boom Too Cold’ on Epic & Prophesy. A widowed Love met second husband, Michael R. Stevenson, guitarist, writer, producer (Funkadelics, Dramatics, Sister Sledge, Barbara Morrison). They met at Grove Theater in Oakland followed by a week of touring Japan with Ike & Tina Turner.
In 1977 her single ‘Joy’ was featured in movie Peady Wheatshaw. She married Michael in 78 and while on tour in Osaka Japan they recorded ‘Odori Okaso at the Bamboo Inn’, an unreleased bilingual English-Japanese LP. In 79, Mary released, ‘Turn Me Turn Me’, on Inphasion & by the 80s, they were in bands; Basey Johnson’s Energy & 16 piece Love II Orchestra with David Majal Ii.
Love released ‘Tit For Tat’ in 82 & backed Semper for his 1984 ‘Themes for Television Sports & Aerobics’ LP. She met third husband Brad Comer, musician-producer on her 45 ‘Save Me’. In 1986 their CoLove Records released ‘Be Baby’/ ‘Never Gonna Break It Up’, 87 gospel LP ‘‘His Servant Am I’, 1988 the 12” EP Caught Up, & LP ‘Sin No More” in 89.
By the 90s they released 12” EP ‘Understanding/In My Life/More Than Enough Love’ the B side a duet with Mary & son Derrick Versey. She toured singing mostly gospel & legendary performance at Cleethorpes Northern Soul Weekender in the UK presented by Ace-Kent Records! A powerful spirit Mary, spread Love through New Judah Christian Fellowship Evangelistic Church & Lost Soul Patrol Ministry. In her honor she created a successful 5 decade music career, family, & ministry.
Mary’s voice amplified “across the pond”, connecting American music artists of African descent to the UK Northern Soul & Mod scenes achieving a step in the evolution to today’s global urban music. She is survived by children Robbie, Dereck, & Michael, numerous grandchildren, Family, Friends & Fans worldwide!”
