“Love Train” is first up. Rather than the 1972 O’Jays’ hit, this totally different song was originally released as the B-side of a 1971 single – though it’s often credited as a 1968 release. By The Lovemasters, a Chicago band active under that name from 1970, it’s an absolute winner – vaguely along the Temptations line, with a circling guitar figure, subtle piano fills and a loose funkiness. Their founder member Edith Andrews had been active in Chicago’s music from the late 1950s.
The label which issued the Lovemasters 45 was Jacklyn, an independent imprint. It debuted in 1966. Due to limited distribution nothing on it, or its subsidiary Genna, was a big hit. Nonetheless, “What Have I Got Now,” the label’s second single sold 25,000 copies. This 1966 seven-incher was by Darrow Fletcher, a name well known to soul fans. And where there’s a known name, digging follows.
Over its 1966 to 1972 run, there were 11 Jacklyn singles. On Genna: three over 1971 and 1972. The labels were run by Fletcher’s – full name Darrow Fletcher Haygood – stepfather Johnny Haygood, a former car salesman who was laterally running a Chicago record shop. Jacklyn’s first single was the striking pairing of “I’ll Run” / “Ain't That Something” by Paul Smith, a teenager who worked in the shop.
Fletcher’s first single had been 1965’s future floor-filler “The Pain Gets a Little Deeper, ” issued by the Groovy label. His follow-up, “What Have I Got Now,” arrived on Jacklyn. Fletcher had started young – born in Michigan on 1951, singing from age 6, his debut record came out when he was 14. The essential 2013 comp The Pain Gets A Little Deeper - The Complete Early Years 1965-1971 dug into his recordings, but Darrow Fletcher Presents Jacklyn & Genna Records is the first-ever release dedicated to the intriguing label Johnny Haygood ran as a vehicle for his younger charge.
Darrow Fletcher Presents... does not include anything from Fletcher’s three Jacklyn singles. For this, see The Pain Gets A Little Deeper. But what's here is stylistically in keeping with the range of soul sides from the main body of singles he issued from 1966 to 1971 (his final release came out in 1979). As the booklet acknowledges, Jacklyn and Genna are “not well-known labels.” Nonetheless, each of the 18 tracks is top notch.
Take Mighty Joe Young’s 1969 blues-inclined two-sider “Guitar Star” / I Don't Want to Lose You.” There is a B.B. King or Otis Rush edge – Young had played with Rush – to “Guitar Star,” but this is gently swinging and irresistible soul. “I Don't Want to Lose You” is slower, a tale of escape from spousal abuse which as shocking lyrically as it is musically assured.
Highlights are many: Pam Colquitt’s soaring, pleading “I Done Got Over Losing You” (1972) ; Bobbie Brown’s smooth groover “Love Won't Give us s Chance” (1967). While this is a definitive, deeply researched and fully annotated collection which nails down when its tracks were recorded and released, the booklet's commentary notes “Bobbie Brown is an artist for whom there is virtually no information.” Mysteries remain.
But it is clear that Darrow Fletcher Presents Jacklyn & Genna Records features an uninterrupted stream of A-Grade music which has to be heard. Jacklyn and Glenna may have been “not well-known” yet there is nothing inaccessible about these 18 tracks. An indispensible release.
- Next week: The three CDs of Really Into Somethin’ – Brit Girl Sounds And Styles 1962-1970
- More reissue reviews on theartsdesk
- Kieron Tyler’s website
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