Ex-buskers with melodramatic plastic Northern Soul 45
Label: Pye
Year of Release: 1973
I've always been intrigued by vocalists with unique powerful voices. I'm not talking about your bog-standard X Factor contestants who perform to perfection and could keep any cruise ship happy. I'm talking about vocalists whose voices have a divisive effect despite their technical ability - the Piafs of this world.
The singer on this record has that effect. A few seconds after the stylus spins through the intro, you're introduced to a booming, sawing voice, sounding equal parts street cryer and soul star. It's Harry Secombe meets Harry Belafonte at a political protest. The song itself isn't bad either, being described elsewhere online as "Northern Soul", although I would be somewhat cautious about applying that label myself. While the track has the essential arrangements, the central rhythm and chorus is more akin to breezy early seventies harmony pop. Sticking it on at a Northern Soul night may result in a kung-fu kick being aimed at the DJ's turntable at the crucial moment.
Justin and Wilde were apparently ex-buskers who left street performing behind in the seventies and went out on tour with the likes of Roy Orbison and Gene Pitney. Their real names were Louis Seyhe (who was Justin) and Laray Collins (who was Wilde, or Wylde for later Pye releases). Their debut single "All Alone" appeared before this in 1972, and following "Man's Eternal Flight" another three 45s slipped out on Pye before time was called. One of these, "Living In A Dream World", seems to be increasingly sought after on the collector's market (comparatively speaking) though I'm not quite sure why it has the edge.
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