SEPTEMBER 2007 –
LARRY BANKS' SOUL FAMILY ALBUM

In 1964 Dave Godin was captivated by Bessie Banks'original recording
of 'Go Now' and was incensed by the Moody Blues'usurping of the song
and what he considered an unduly hasty campaign by the British record
company to pass their version off as the original and best. To make
amends on behalf of the small but eager coterie of UK soul fans, he
took a special interest in Bessie and her husband Larry, the composer
of the song.

Further delvings into the pair's releases lead to more revelatory
record finds and soon Dave was to champion Larry's releases on
Select, Kapp and Spring and his composing and production work with
artists such as the Exciters, Kenny Carter and the Geminis. Dave
built up a strong friendship with the family and a bank of
information on their work. His discovery of Jaibi's (Larry's second
wife) 'You Got Me' on Kapp Records was a personal Deep Soul
revelation and he awarded the recording the prestigious last track
placing on his first Deep Soul Treasures CD.

The family were well represented throughout all the volumes of Dave
Godin's Deep Soul Treasures but their work wasn't restricted to deep
soul and he planned a CD project to showcase their other talents.
Sadly he became terminally ill but before he died he asked Ace/Kent
consultant Ady Croasdell to complete the project. Fortunately Ace has
bought many Banks family recordings from GWP Productions (for whom
Larry worked in the late 60s). Some prime previously unheard soul
songs have emerged from this source and feature here. Other vital and
important tracks have been licensed-in from RCA and other smaller
labels and Ady has built on Dave's research with extensive
interviews.

Apart from deep soul classics there are examples of Larry Banks'
northern soul genius in tracks such as 'What's One More Lie' by
Milton Bennett (co-composer of 'Go Now'), the Geminis' storming 'He
Moves Me', the Devonnes' 'Doing The Gittin' Up', and unknown group
the Shaladons' classy take on 'We Can Do It'.

Of the deep soul tracks the highlights include two previously
unissued Kenny Carter beat ballads and his excellent rendition
of 'Lights Out' plus Jaibi's original intense demo of 'You Got Me'.

This CD is part of the occasional Artistry In Soul series.