Looking to pick up a single or two? There are plenty of Mod 45s on the shelves or coming soon. Here’s the pick of the latest bunch.
In fact, this round-up focuses mainly on reissues. I know there is plenty of new material out there, but there are also a bunch of interesting reissue 45s just on the shelves, so for this selection, I will focus on them. Next month will be a different story.
So away we go – the pick of the new 45s out there just now.
Fleur De Lys – Circles / You’ve Got To Earn It (Countdown Mod Classics)
The first of three from this new range, which promises to be a pretty impression range too.
First up, it’s a bona fide classic and a single available to buy now via the returning Countdown label, originally founded by Eddie Piller alongside Maxine Forte and Terry Rawlings back in the 1980s.
The first releases really need no introduction. With this one, it’s the pairing of the band’s 1965 cover of Pete Townshend’s Circles, matched up with a first-time single release of their cover of The Temptations’ You’ve Got To Earn It.
The record comes in a new Countdown sleeve, and the monochrome theme is carried through with a white vinyl issue. It’s available now for £11. That’s right—the price of singles isn’t what it was.
Find out more at the Acid Jazz website
Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity – Indian Rope Man / Brian Auger & The Trinity – Black Cat (Heavy Jazz Records)
Two absolutely essential tracks brought together by the (fairly) new label Heavy Jazz, an offshoot of the Heavy Soul label.
There’s not a lot to say, really, except both can fill the dance floor, both are timeless and if you don’t own an original of either, then it’s worth getting into this limited edition – just 300 being pressed up.
£12.99 for a copy.
Find out more at the Heavy Soul website
Brian Auger & The Trinity – Ellis Island / George Bruno Money (Heavy Jazz Records)
Another Auger release from the same label – only this one isn’t out yet, but is available to pre-order if you want to guarantee a copy.
Ellis Island is another top-notch instrumental workout from Brian Auger, with this release backed with a first 7-inch outing for George Bruno Money.
It comes in a sleeve with foldout flaps and a cutaway rear sleeve, selling for £13.99.
Find out more at the Heavy Soul website
Bo Street Runners – Bo Street Runner / ‘Baby Never Say Goodbye (Countdown Mod Classics)
A second outing from this new sub-label from Acid Jazz and more music you might already own – and if you don’t, the perfect opportunity to pick it up.
The R&B of North London Group The Bo Street Runners, matching Bo Street Runner with Baby Never Say Goodbye, both of which were floor fillers on the 1980s Mod scene at the likes of the Regency Suite and Sneakers.
Again in the monochrome geometric house bag and pressed on white vinyl, it is limited to 500 copies and sells for £12.
Find out more at the Acid Jazz website
Mighty Baby – Egyptian Tomb (Countdown Mod Classics)
It’s probably the least obvious Mod track of the trio that makes up Countdown’s initial line-up, but it’s still a gem of a tune.
A bit psychy and at tines rocky (so very much of its era), and pretty damn jazzy, this is a very catchy tune, with a production job by Mod legend Guy Stevens. All of that from the band that started off as Mod legends The Action.
This one is on pre-order, again in the label bag, and on white vinyl, it sells for £12.
Find out more at the Acid Jazz website
Richard Temple – That Beatin’ Rhythm / Cigarette Ashes (Kent)
A northern soul classic – and if it’s not in your collection, this one comes with a nice bonus.
Of course, That Beatin’ Rhythm has been filling dance floors for half a century now. It’s one of the most recognisable tunes out there. But this 7-inch reissue also comes with the instrumental on the flipside, which isn’t heard anywhere near as much.
Another pre-order, it sells for £11.63.
Find out more at the Ace Records website
The Who – Ready Steady Who 7 EP (Sell Out At The BBC) (Rhythm and Blues Records)
The title says it all – session material by The Who from the BBC.
Specifically, a 4-track EP featuring songs from The Who Sell Out sessions, recorded for the BBC in October 1967. Kit Lambert remixed I Can See For Miles, I Can’t Reach You, Our Love Was and Summertime Blues for broadcast on Radio One Top Gear, versions never officially released, but here now on this release.
Grab it for £13.
Find out more at the Rough Trade website
Do you have a 7-inch release coming out that you want featuring? Contact me at the website to do just that.
