MD Records

24/06/2024

Throwback to June 2022!

Originally released on the Jocks Golden Hit Productions label out of Detroit, this track has always sparked curiosity. Is it "No mad woman" or "Nomad woman"? Listen to the lyrics and decide for yourself. According to our conversations with Little Jake—Jocks' current stage name—and his manager Charles, it’s meant to be "Nomad woman." There’s a hint in the lyrics when Jock sings about a woman of the desert sands.

The reason Golden Hit released James Barnes' and then Jock’s version of "Free at Last" was simply because Jock couldn’t achieve the sound he wanted with the James Barnes version.

Many original Jock Mitchell copies have a hiss due to a production fault in the pressing. Acquiring the masters from the Pioneer studio project allowed us to have the songs refreshed by JJ at Golden Mastering, who has a deep appreciation for the soul sound, especially having worked with Daptone on all their productions.

The reissue helped us fill in some blanks about the tracks, particularly that they were recorded at Pioneer. It also gave us the opportunity to speak to Little Jake and come to an agreement ensuring he received royalties from the track's release. Little Jake is still performing passionately for audiences in the US. He also mentioned losing his master copies years ago, so we arranged to get him a set of digital masters. Fortunately, Gary Rubin of Pioneer Records had archived his tapes and kept copies.

Both "Nomad Woman" and "Free at Last" have been digitized directly from the tapes and then remastered to ensure the very best sound using modern pressing technology.

Take a listen!

Arnold Jake Mitchell is a true soulman, born in Tampa Florida, he started his career in big style at the age of 13 touring with heavyweight names such as Jam...

18/06/2024

At MD Records, we always try to revisit the stories and fill in the gaps where we can. We've been quiet for a while, working through life, but the Pioneer story continues with some new information that's come to light.

This is Carol Clayton, the writer of the song 'Jive Talk' for The Gambrells at Pioneer Records in 1966. Jordan has been doing some more digging recently and has been able to locate her family and successfully connected. Carol was born in 1945 in Detroit, Michigan, and attended Highland Park High School. She wrote 'Jive Talk' in 1966 when she was 21. It's always been a mystery who Carol was, so it's nice to find a photograph of her and include her in the story. Unfortunately, Carol passed away in 2017 aged 72.

We hope to find more information on Carol soon and discover if she wrote any more songs. Stay tuned for more updates on the Pioneer story and some new releases as we dive back into the vaults of this vast Detroit soul network!

You can buy a copy of The Gambrells release here, along with other MD Records, on our Bandcamp website, which we are working to revamp! The track has been fully remastered from the original tapes. www.mdrecords.co.uk/product/gambrells-jive-talk-mdjw005/

14/06/2024

Here are a few records to ease us into the weekend!

21/03/2024

Introducing the super fresh MD Records HQ! 🎶

We've been a bit quiet on here lately, but that's because the team have been working hard behind the scenes.

We've acquired a new space for processing orders and storing all our stock! This space will be home to our latest releases and our collection of second-hand, imported 45s! Big shoutout to Des for his hardwork, from transportation to cataloguing, and digging through the second hand stock ready to update the website!

Stay tuned🎶

Mark, Des & Jordan

31/01/2024

It is with great sadness that we share the news of Tommy Rodgers' passing. 🙏🏻

We were fortunate to track down Tommy, and collaborate with him and his sister, Venida Rodgers, to release some amazing previously unreleased tracks from Pioneer Studio in Detroit from the 60s.

For those interested in the full story of Tommy's life, you can find it on Soul Source: https://www.soul-source.co.uk/articles/releases/md-records-the-musical-journey-of-tommy-rodgers-r4908/

May Tommy Rodgers rest in peace, and our heartfelt condolences go out to his family. God bless Tommy Rodgers.❤️

06/01/2024

Happy 2024 Everyone, Well the free postage was going to be ending in 32st December, BUT with the January blues hitting in we figured we would give people a small ray of sunshine!

So we will keep the free UK postage for all orders going to a UK postal address until the end of January.

Lots of you took advantage of the deal, so don’t hold back and fill your boots.

Happy new year, Mark, Des and Jordan.

26/12/2023

A big thank you to Ady Crampton for crafting this in-depth interview with Gary Rubin of Detroits Pioneer Studio.

In 2021 we were privileged to connect with Gary and after creating a strong relationship, given permission to digitalise the vast master tape archive—listening, restoring tracks, and mastering them with the help of Kevin Fingier.

The partnership has also include rediscovering finding artists like The Gambrell's, Tommy Rodgers, members and family of The Sensations, with more info to come on The Soul Sextet soon!

While the music often expresses itself - Gary Rubin, who orchestrated groups, artists, and studio operations, has always remained in the background.

Take some time to explore some great background information on Gary’s story:

https://www.shinyl.co.uk/gary-rubin-detroit-label-owner-producer-recording-engineer/?fbclid=IwAR3p9KwtqT3HaA4gtkAwuTwP8dcUMOs5QyqnVwDH_QHXbqTT3xs_oGC_yUU_aem_AUzO5eliekPvwtvCc2ogtktEq7KuKV_S8NBtAr8m9G2TOkiVOUkt6sxJMzCvYqGgPmA

For over 100 years now Detroit has been a hotbed of musical talent with over 1500 labels operating alongside each other, issuing music from the Motor City alone Having shown an interest in the art of recording at a very young age, by the time he was 12 years old Gary Rubin had built a …

15/12/2023

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Warmest holiday wishes from all of us at MD Records! We hope this festive season brings joy, love, and happiness to you and your loved ones. As we reflect on the past year, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your support, not only for MD Records but for all the independent record labels!

Remember our FREE SHIPPING offer is still in effect until the 31st of December. Take advantage of this opportunity to snag some records at the cost price on our website, with complimentary UK postage on us!

Happy Holidays!

Jordan, Mark, and Des
MD Records

28/11/2023

Update on Tommy Rodgers. We bring you some sad news that our Detroit friend Tommy Rodgers, is currently facing some health challenges. Last weekend, we learned from his sister Venida, that he's not doing too well, and our thoughts and prayers are with him during this difficult time.

Tommy has been an exciting part of our recent projects, and in light of the circumstances, we have been working closely with him to release some remarkable music including alternate takes and unreleased tracks. This collection features recordings from Pioneer Recording Studio in Detroit, capturing the essence of Tommy's talent during the late 1960s. Astonishingly, Tommy was unaware of his growing cult following in the UK, particularly for his all-nighter record 'Pass The Word,' which has gained popularity in recent years.

A few years ago, we successfully concluded a deal on the original studio session tapes from Pioneer, revealing alternative takes and previously unreleased material dating back to 1968. Our mission was to locate Tommy, who was still residing in Detroit. Tommy's cooperation allowed us to master and release the unreleased and alternative takes of tracks, including 'Pass The Word' (Alternative Version), 'I'll Sing To The Wind' (Alternative Version), 'Give Me My Freedom' (Unreleased), and 'United Hearts of America' (Unreleased).

Following our discussion with Vendia at the weekend we agreed to reach out to all of our supporters and customers to help us to assist Tommy. Venida is so pleased that we thought you would all look to help in though buying the records so we can raise additional funds and royalties to him and help with his financial needs so if you would like to contribute through purchasing the 45s, you can obtain copies of Tommy's tracks at www.mdrecords.co.uk.

We are also offering FREE UK postage, covering all costs for postage and packaging, so we hope this helps you to help Tommy.

Your support means the world to us and to Tommy during this challenging time!

If you would also like to read the history of Tommy's musical journey, you can do by visiting our article written for Soul Up North; www.soul-source.co.uk/articles/releases/md-records-the-musical-journey-of-tommy-rodgers-r4908/"

21/11/2023

CHRISTMAS DEALS NOW ON!

MD Records is offering an exclusive Christmas offer: FREE postage on every record listed at www.mdrecords.co.uk until December 31st! 🚚

Bag some great 45s at the listed price, and we'll handle the UK shipping costs. 🎉 Don't miss the chance to add some gems to your collection without the extra expense. 🎶

Visit our website and grab a bargain!

www.mdrecords.co.uk

20/11/2023

📢 NEWS ALERT 📢

Take advantage of FREE DELIVERY on all orders!

WWW.MDRECORDS.CO.UK

In light of the challenges this year has presented, we want to express our gratitude to our UK customers. Regardless of the quantity of records you purchase, all orders shipped within the UK will incur no shipping charges!

Regrettably, international shipping is not available at this time. However, if you have friends in the UK, feel free to ask them to assist with your order. For those purchasing a substantial number of singles, drop us a line at [email protected], and we'll explore available options.

Please note that we are currently on a buying trip until November 27th, and all orders will be dispatched starting from that date.

The offer for Free UK postage (Royal Mail Tracked) will be in effect until December 31st, 2023, so make the most of this opportunity to fill your Christmas boots.

Best Wishes from the entire team at MD Records. 🎶

16/09/2023

Thanks Kevin Fingier! Our man in Argentina. We are all super proud to have Kevin working with us as part of our team! 🙌

Be sure to take a look at this feature article showcasing Kevin and his remarkable achievements:

You also have links with UK boutique label MD Records and Fred Perry Clothing – tell us about that?

With Fred Perry, they interviewed me as soon as we launched the record label and of course it meant a lot to me that 60% of my wardrobe is made by them! And with MD Records .. I’m really happy and proud to say that I’m part of the team. These guys have got lots of unreleased tapes of Soul recordings from the 60s and the fact that they’ve picked me to restore them, mixed them and work with them is a huge honour. For me, considering that I produce 60s sounds in the 2020s, having the chance of listening to multitracks of actual recordings from the 60s is really incredible! And having the possibility of mixing, restoring or producing those tracks in a way that they we can contribute some unreleased 60s soul for the Northern Soul/Rare Soul fans it’s amazing!

One of this year’s most intriguing albums has been the recent ‘Not Strictly Soul’ from the KEVIN FINGIER COLLECTIVE. The title is, of course, ironic. The LP is stuffed with great sounds – Classic Soul, Northern Soul, Mod Jazz, R&B, Boogaloo and Funk all mixed into one splendid musical cockta...

16/09/2023

Our main man Kevin talking about his musical career. Some big surprises coming up in the next 6 months on our collaborations together.

Last year Atlanta soul man ANTHONY DAVID rekindled his professional relationship with fellow Atlantean ALGEBRA BLESSETT (the pair had first worked together in 2011!). Their 2022 duet ‘Heaven’’ (a cover of the BeBe &...

13/09/2023

Back in lockdown, we embarked on a collaboration with Gary Rubin of Pioneer Studio. Our mission was to digitise a vast collection of studio master tapes originating from the Detroit-based studio, Pioneer Recording. Among these tapes were previously unreleased tracks by "The New Sensations". This group had recorded several tracks at Pioneer, but two songs, "Blinded By Pride" and "I Found A Love," truly stood out as power house Northern Soul!

On 13th August, I successfully located another member of "The New Sensations" – Larry Bliss and had the privilege of conducting an interview with him, and for the very first time, he unveiled the complete story of the group!
Another remarkable addition to the ongoing pioneer story crafted by the MD Records group!

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/articles/soul-articles/the-new-sensations-detroit-the-full-story-by-md-records-r4941/

Gary Rubin, Dan Glazer, Sarah Glazer, Larry Bliss

SOUCE MAGAZINE - The New Sensations, Detroit - The Full Story by MD Records

25/08/2023

Big thanks to James O'Connor for snapping this photo. Our Gambrells re-release is currently featured in Grayson Perry's 'Smash Hits' exhibition. This showcase spans Perry's remarkable 40-year journey within the art world. If you're near Edinburgh, go and check it out!

03/08/2023

Today, we have another story to share - the remarkable tale of The Gambrells, a previously unknown girl group from the heart of Detroit. Thanks to the efforts of our researcher and label partner, Jordan Wilson, and the discovery of long-forgotten studio tapes within the Pioneer Studio vault, we can now shed event more light on the incredible journey of Sharon, Pat, and Sandra.

The Gambrells, a trio consisting of sisters Sharon and Sandra Gambrell, along with their close friend Patricia Hunt (Pat Hunt), grew up on Quincy St. in Detroit, just blocks away from the legendary Gordy family of Motown fame. The sisters were second and third in line among ten siblings, and their love for music began at an early age.

In 1965, the talented trio decided to form a duo, but it didn't take long for their harmonies to attract attention. They later expanded to become a powerful trio with the addition of Pat Hunt, a gifted singer and songwriter. It's essential to clarify that Pat Hunt is not the same person as the cousin of Brenda & Patrice Holloway, two different individuals with unique talents.

Pat Hunt, merely 14 years old at the time, penned their first song, "Pain in My Heart," and taught the lyrics to Sharon and Sandra, who eagerly embraced the track. Their breakthrough came when Ollie McLaughlin, a renowned Detroit record producer and label owner, came across the girls through The Gambrells connection with Jazz harpist Dorothy Ashby. Captivated by their talents, Ollie decided to record "Pain in My Heart" for Carla Records 201. Deon Jackson, also recorded a version of the song, but this remained unreleased.

Building on this success, The Gambrells released another single on Carla Records, "You Better Move," a composition again by Pat Hunt (though thought to be initially miscredited to an unknown A. Jones). Despite the buzz, the busy atmosphere at Carla Records in 1966 shifted the focus towards Deon Jackson's and The Capitols career, leaving The Gambrells somewhat overshadowed.

Nevertheless, the trio's journey continued, and they found themselves lending their harmonies to support iconic Motown acts like The Temptations and Brenda Holloway at the renowned 20 Grand Club in Detroit. Although backing vocals brought them some recognition, it wasn't enough to thrust them into the limelight they so rightfully deserved.

Their fortunes changed when Gary Rubin, the owner of Pioneer Recording Studio, discovered their exceptional talent during one of his weekly audition sessions. Convinced of their potential, Gary signed the group, and formed a new group called 'The New Loves,' which included James Cheers and Bobby Franklin as male vocalists and songwriters. Unfortunately, once again, due to the Vietnam War, the group's potential couldn't be fully realised, leading The Gambrells back to background vocal work for Pioneer and other freelance sessions. The New Loves tracks remained unreleased until MD Records released them in March 2022.

Intriguingly, The Gambrells also provided backing vocals for The Tomangoes, a group signed to Pioneer Records in 1967. Their harmonies enriched tracks like 'Loves Got A Hold On Me' alongside the original version of 'You've Been Gone So Long'.

In 1967, 'In-The Pocket Productions,' an independent production group, recognised The Gambrells' potential and asked them to record two songs, "Love Is In The Air" and "I'm In Love Again For The First Time." These tracks were recorded while the girls were still contracted to Pioneer.

Despite their talent and potential, The Gambrells' journey led them through many ups and downs, eventually leading to obscurity. Their brilliance was often overshadowed by bigger names in the music industry.

The discography of The Gambrells includes:

"Pain In My Heart" / "I Want To Be Yours" – Carla Records – 1965
"You Better Move" / "Pain In My Heart" – Carla Records - 1966
"Jive Talk" / "Find A Love" – Pioneer Records – 1966
"My Heart Is Suffering" / "Paradise Of Love" – (Under the name of The New Loves) - 1967
"Just Keep On Loving Me" (Backing vocals by The Gambrells) - 1967
"Loves Got A Hold On Me" / You've Been Gone Too Long" (Backing vocals by The Gambrells) - 1967
"Love Is In The Air" / "I'm In Love Again For The First Time" – Cub Records – 1968

On the memorable date of 9th February 2023, a significant moment unfolded as Jordan graced the screens of "Grayson Perry's Full English." In this special feature, Jordan had the privilege to curate the soundtrack for his appearance on the show. Among the carefully selected tunes was the track, "Jive Talk,".

For The Gambrells, this was a long-awaited recognition of their music from the late 60s. To add to their well-deserved acknowledgment, the licensing of their music to Channel 4 brought forth financial recognition, a fitting tribute to their enduring talent.

We invite you to visit our website at www.mdrecords.co.uk. There, you can grab your own copy of their 45s, and join us in celebrating the legacy of The Gambrells, a treasure trove of soulful melodies that now stands fully recognised and appreciated.

Check out the recent, restored photo of The Gambrells below!

01/08/2023

Today Mark Anderson from MD Records Group had a long-awaited meeting with Larkin Yewell.

Larkin is the label owner, producer, and member of the popular, yet mysterious group - The Fourth Level. This was a momentous occasion for us as it marked the first time we have had the privilege of meeting Larkin in person since we licensed his song, 'Deep South,' for MD Records back in 2020.

Larkin, alongside his talented cousin, harnessed their musical abilities and recorded two tracks, all in pursuit of fame and fortune. The recording sessions took place at the Pioneer studio in Detroit in the late 1960s, a hidden gem among the city's recording studios.

Larkin's dedication and passion led him to personally finance the recording session of Deep South which he also co-wrote with his cousin. However, the true eye-opener came when they attempted to get their music played on local radio stations. Despite investing in the studio time and pressing costs, they faced an infuriating obstacle – stations and DJs demanded payment for airtime, trapped in the notorious Payola racket that plagued the music industry from the 60s to the 80s.

Despite the challenges, Larkin and his cousin, relentlessly tried to promote the single. They even traveled back to the South, organised events and sold tickets to spread their music and the sound of The Fourth Level.

Yet, despite their hope, the desired breakthrough never arrived. Disheartened, Larkin and his cousin eventually shifted their focus to other career paths.

Tragically, the original copies of 'Deep South' faced unfortunate fates, either discarded with the trash or destroyed in a flood years later in Larkin's basement.

Shifty, the renowned DJ at London's legendary 100 Club All-Nighter, stumbled upon a copy of the 45, when one of his 'pickers' in the states found a copy at a flea market. The track was then 'covered up' and for far too long, this exclusive sound remained concealed, a secret delight known only to a fortunate few.

In 2020, we reached out to Larkin with a surprising proposal – a legal re-release of the precious 'Deep South' 45. To our delight, he revealed that he still possessed the original studio master tape of the recording! Working with Larkin Yewell has been an absolute pleasure, and this meeting allowed us to finally connect with the talented artist behind the music we hold so dear.

These precious moments serve as reminders of why we are so passionate about what we do! We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who support us and make such incredible experiences possible.

01/08/2023

01/08/2023

Thanks to rare soul connoisseurs and esteemed DJs Carl & Maria Willingham from Manchester, some truly fascinating information has come to the light. Following our announcement about the release of the previously unreleased version of 'I'll Tell It To The Wind,' Maria reached out to share an exciting revelation. Carl had actually stumbled upon the original studio acetate of this version while crate digging for 45s in the past! This unexpected find has left us amazed since we were unaware of its existence in any format.

Regrettably, the acetate suffered considerable damage, and only Carl & Maria have had the privilege of playing it on a handful of occasions. Fortunately, we were able to uncover and preserve the original studio master tapes of this alternative version, which have been meticulously remastered to showcase this unique version in all its glory.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Carl and Maria Willingham for shedding more light on this intriguing story and contributing to its rich history. If you're curious to listen to this this previously unreleased and gritty rendition, check it out below!

You can also order a copy via www.mdrecords.co.uk along with the other unreleased Tommy Rodgers 45s.

27/07/2023

Great news, we are back up and running thanks to our IT guys Thomas and William.

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19/07/2023

Have you had a chance to read our most recent article about the background of our recent Tommy Rodgers releases?

If not, we've just published the complete article on Soul Source for you to read!

We would also like to express our gratitude to everyone who has placed orders. Your packages should be starting to arrive now.

You can find the article at this link:

SOUL SOURCE - MD Records, we are thrilled to continue our musical journey by returning to Detroit and collaborating with Gary Rubin of Pioneer studio fame. B...

17/07/2023

Huge thanks to Dave at Funkadelphia Records for sending over this photograph of Howard Ravitsky proudly holding his personal copy of Alfreda Brockington's "Give Me What You're Giving Her / Waitin' For Your Touch." 🎵🎶 Two previously unreleased tracks which MD Records recently licensed and released for the first time on vinyl.

Let's take a moment to appreciate Howard Ravitsky and his exceptional contributions to the music industry. Alongside his brother Al Ravitsky and their friend Gil Lipschitz, they founded the legendary Lash record label.

"The Best Of Lash Records - Rare R&B & Soul Productions 1961-1975," was released in 2009. It showcases an incredible array of artists and groups like The Inspirations, Honey And The Bees, Timmy Carr, Benny Sigler, and Patty Hamilton - Definitely worth a listen!!

We only have limited copies of Alfreda's Brockington's release left! You can grab one here - https://tinyurl.com/23yfh6fa

11/07/2023

You can now place your order for immediate shipping on the 15th July and get your hands on the long-awaited Detroit double sider by Tommy Rodgers.

Straight from the original Pioneer Studio master tapes. Rest assured, this release, as all of our releases are fully licensed and has received the official recognition of both Tommy and Frankie Rodgers. 🙌

We are thrilled to unveil these previously unknown and unheard gems, bringing them out of obscurity and into the spotlight.

Order at www.mdrecords.co.uk

11/07/2023

Behold the stunning exterior shot of Pioneer Recording Studio, situated at 20014 James Couzens in Detroit, Michigan. This photograph, previously unseen, was unearthed and digitised by the studio's owner, Gary Rubin, exclusively for our use while we delve into the Pioneer Story. One particular detail that caught our eye was the mention of 'Empire Records' on the studio window—a label that released only one record by The Just Brothers titled "Things Will Be Better" with "She Broke His Heart" on the flip side. This studio has remained one of the best-kept secrets, quietly waiting to be discovered.

As we gaze upon this photo, our minds wander, envisioning the countless artists and groups who once graced these very doors to record their music. The likes of The Tomangoes, The Gambrells, James Lately, Lamar Thomas, Tommy Rodgers, Johnnie Mae Matthews, Jock Mitchell, The El Count Executives, The Fourth Level, J. J. Barnes, and many more have left their indelible mark within these studio walls. We have been fortunate to stumble upon the studio's master tapes containing their incredible works.

Stay connected by signing up for our mailing list to receive the latest updates on exciting new discoveries from Detroit. And be sure not to miss out on our four recent releases by the talented Tommy Rodgers, now available for pre-order at www.mdrecords.co.uk.

10/07/2023

🎶 Pre-order now! Tommy Rodgers' long-awaited releases!

Delve into the musical treasures recorded at Pioneer recording studio during the late 1960s, previously hidden from the world and discovered on the original stdio masters!

Our spotlight today is on 'United Hearts Of America,'. A true lyrical masterpiece that captures the tensions that consumed the American people of that era.

On the other side of this release, you'll find 'Pass The Word,' originally released on AJP in December 1969. However, the version included here offers a unique and slightly alternative take on the song.

Order >> www.mdrecords.co.uk/product/md123-tommy-rodgers-united-hearts-of-america-shipping-from-15th-july-2023/

09/06/2023

Whilst delving into our back catalogue of releases, I decided to flip the beloved Sensations release 'Blinded by Pride' and give "I Found A Love" a well-deserved spin!

It's truly mind-boggling to think that such an extraordinary piece of Detroit blue-eyed soul music was forgotten about for such period of time! We initially released this previously unreleased double-sider in March 2022, but the spotlight has always been focused on the 'Blinded By Pride' A side, with its captivating bass line and traditional four-on-the-floor beat, inadvertently overshadowing the equally fantastic B side.

If you haven't had the opportunity to take a listen - check it out on our YouTube channel below (Listen from 2 minutes in!) 😍😍

Available to buy a vinyl copy here - https://www.mdrecords.co.uk/product/sensations-blinded-by-pride-md/The New Sensations as they started to bill themselves...