The Joy of 45 Collecting: Lost 45 Tunes Not Available from iTunes, Spotify, or Similar Services
Jukebox "Snippet" 45s: Chronological List of Site Additions
As I add 45s to our inventory, I pick select 45s to highlight with mp3 "snippets" so you can hear the music yourself. I only record "snippets" of tunes I particularly like, ones I think have been under-played and under-appreciated, or ones that are so rare and wonderful I'll never hear them otherwise. For myself, I keep an iTunes playlist of these "snippets," and that playlist is one I listen to most often. These pages chronicle the mp3 "snippets" I've added to our online "jukebox" in reverse chronological order. You can browse the pages to see what was added and when. Click on the blue "Play" button to play the snippet, or click on a song's title to load the page. Many of these 45 records are still for sale, though just as many have been sold. I hope you enjoy perusing these pages as much as I have enjoyed putting them together!
Here's another terrific single by this artist, with two Northern Soul dancers to choose from. I liked the A side ("Come Lay...") so much I made an mp3 "snippet" of it... so have a listen!
This fabulous, sexy Philly Style dancer wasn't a big hit, but it's definitely worth seeking out. Have a listen to the mp3 "snippet" to hear why I like it so much.
This Fame studios, Rick Hall-produced recording is simply dynamite, appetizing to fans of both Northern and Funky Soul. Hughes didn't stay with Atlantic for long, but he left a hidden gem with this little 45. The A side ("It Ain't...") did get enough sales and airplay to chart nationally in the U.S., but it didn't quite crack the Black/RnB Top 40. Have a listen to the mp3 "snippet" to check it out... Enjoy!
Original Holly 45s are one of the most obvious cases where the format's audio is simply superior to that of other formats, such as the artists' albums, reissue 45s, and, of course, CDs. The mp3 "snippet" gives you an idea of the sound you'll get from an original 45 like this one that happens to have Mint sound with no notable flaws. Outstanding!
Out of Stock
06/21/17
Terri Wells
1984, Philly World 99716 Genre: Northern Soul, Philly Style
This single's B side, which was the A side of the artist's previous single, is a phenomenal Country Soul tour-de-force that is a pleasure to capture as an mp3 "snippet" for you to enjoy. Have a listen! In some circles, this sound could be considered Deep Soul, but at its heart it's pure Country. :-)
Here's a beautiful copy of my favorite Turtles song! Well, actually 'You Baby' is my favorite. I think. Well, they're real close, that's for sure! I took the opportunity of this copy's pristine Mint audio to make an mp3 "snippet", so you decide! :-)
From everything I can gather (including my ears), this group is the Delfonics spelled with a "ph" instead of an "f". Regardless of how you spell their name, they deliver two stunning swan songs of Philly-style soul on this obscure 45. The A side is a group ballad, but it's the flip that lit my feet on fire: Have a listen to the mp3 "snippet" to hear it yourself.
Out of Stock
06/17/17
Honey Cone
1972, Hot Wax 7205 Genre: Northern Soul, Motown Style
The flip is the real winner here, although the A side has a very funky charm of its own. Still, "It's Better..." earns the 45 a 2-star rating from us, our highest recommendation. Have a listen to the mp3 "snippet" of the tune to hear why I like it so much. This marvelous B side, by the way, was not on any of the group's albums... it's a 45-only, non-album cut!
Both sides of this terrific 1987 single are 2-star keepers... our highest recommendation! Earle mines a musical territory rich in Country, Country Rock and Rockabilly, and if you don't know his stuff, check out the mp3 "snippet" of this single's terrific B side.
This Rock masterpiece failed to get much airplay, but it's one of the group's very best singles... Not to be missed! I've made an mp3 "snippet" of this long track, but keep in mind that I had to edit some of the beginning to get a decent snippet that does the song justice.
Here's a beautiful promo copy of this obscure 1969 single, which just happens to host an unstoppable Funky Soul dancer courtesy of New Orleans Soul/Funk master Allen Toussaint. Check out the mp3 "snippet"!
Hard to categorize this one, which I liked well enough to make an mp3 "snippet" of for you to hear... you decide: Is it Funk/Hip-Hop? or Techno/Synth Pop? Disco? I came down on the Techno because of the heavy reliance on electronic instruments and general Techno groove (although it's also reminiscent of Prince), but I could be persuaded otherwise. :-)
Nilsson's amazing step into a Hard Rock vibe just doesn't get played enough and isn't well known enough, IMHO. Have a listen to the mp3 "snippet" and I hope you'll hear why we give the single 2 stars, our highest recommendation.
Here's a beautiful copy of this rare 1966 single, whose A side is clearly Sunshine Pop but whose B side crosses genres with a stompin' Northern Soul beat with Sunshine Pop harmonies. I was so taken by it I quickly made an mp3 "snippet" for you to hear. Enjoy!
Here's a single that I would have included in a list of the 1,001 greatest 45s of all time, though Dave Marsh (see his list under "Collect A List" in the left-hand column of the site) didn't. It would not only be on my list, it would be high up there, perhaps in the top 100! Have a listen to the mp3 "snippet", especially if you don't already know this classic, whose sound straddles Garage Rock, Northern Soul, and what I call Horn Rock.
Out of Stock
06/09/17
The Fifth Dimension
1973, Bell 45425 Genre: Northern Soul, Philly Style
This remarkable recording flopped when released in late 1973, perhaps because it's so different from the group's usual sound. And that sound is... drumroll, please... pure Northern Soul goodness in a Philly Soul wrapper. I was so taken with the rhythm section I had to have an mp3 "snippet" for our online "jukebox"... so have a listen!
This was Fulsom's (here spelled "Fulson") last chart single, and a dynamite one it is, too, with two great sides of Funky Soul. Have a listen to the mp3 "snippet" of the A side to hear it.
This gorgeous recording always gives me goose bumps, it's so powerful and such a great song and performance. Have a listen to the mp3 "snippet" to hear what I mean.
This was Anderson's first Country chart-topper, just before his big crossover hit "Swingin'", and from a pure chart perspective was his biggest Country hit. It has a real Zydeco/Cajun feel to it... have a listen to the mp3 "snippet" in our "jukebox"!