Fun Holiday Stuff from CleSoul...

Here's a blogpost near & dear to our heart.


...and we'll see you next month with another single from THE SENSATIONS!

THE SENSATIONS - Two Can Make It b/w It's A New Day

Artist/Title: THE SENSATIONS/"Two Can Make It" b/w "It's A New Day"
Label/Master#: Way-Out single/WAYOUT-1005A & WAYOUT-1005B
Release Date: 1969
Writer: Simmons-Washington/Florence-Washington-Simmons-Kelly
Producer: Branch-Johnson
Arranger: Willie Smith
Publisher: Outhwaite Pub., BMI


THE SENSATIONS - Two Can Make It.mp3


THE SENSATIONS - It's A New Day.mp3














A fitting return to CLESOUL from the wonderful singing group THE SENSATIONS. The country has spoken, and it's a new day in America (we hope). The harmonies on this one are sure to inspire & uplift. Also further proof that Mable had fine taste in records! Another SENSATIONS single up next month, and some more info on the group coming up as well. Enjoy this Cleveland soul classic from 1969.

CLESOUL returns!

After some months of inactivity, CLESOUL is back! I have recently moved, all my equipment is back up & running thankfully, and I'm sorting thru my records, some new, so I have some goodies in store for you. You will see some new posts soon, so if you see any songs you missed that you would like re-upped in the meantime just let me know, and thanks for stopping in at CLESOUL!

Sean Levert, R.I.P.

We here at CleSoul sadly pay respects to the family of Cleveland legend Eddie Levert for the recent loss of his son Sean.


Sean Levert (September 28, 1968 - March 30, 2008)
above photo credited to Jamie-andrea Yanak/AP File

S.O.U.L. - "The Joneses (parts 1 & 2)"

Artist/Title: S.O.U.L./"The Joneses (pts. 1 & 2)"
Label/Master#: Musicor/MUS1500-A & MUS1500-B
Release Date: 1974
Writer: Lee Lovett
Producer: Lee Lovett
Publisher: Artal Music Corp, ASCAP


S.O.U.L. - The Joneses pt1.mp3


S.O.U.L. - The Joneses pt2.mp3















As heroin afflicted countless inner-city neighborhoods across America in the 1970's, soul musicians reflected this more and more often in their songs, especially in New York where S.O.U.L. were based at this time. The recent film American Gangster shows only the most famous case of the heroin kingpin and the social leverage he held in his community. This 45 is just one of many examples of excellent soul singles released during this period which addressed the issue of heroin addiction from the junkie's perspective, and is especially gripping during side 2. The single entered the Top 100 singles chart, and remained there for 10 weeks in 1974.

If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, call The Cleveland Free Clinic locally at (216)721-4010, or you can contact the National Addiction Assistance Helpline toll-free at 1-800-559-9503.

Thanks for checking out CLESOUL.

S.O.U.L. - "Down In The Ghetto (parts 1 & 2)"

Artist/Title: S.O.U.L./"Down In The Ghetto (pts. 1 & 2)"
Label/Master#: Musicor/MU1434-A & MU1434-B
Release Date: 1971
Writer: Lee Lovett
Producer: D. Jordan & R. Holmes
Publisher: Catalogue Music, BMI


S.O.U.L. - Down In The Ghetto pt1.mp3

S.O.U.L. - Down In The Ghetto pt2.mp3














Answers.com has collected the only information I could find on the web about the group known as S.O.U.L. (a.k.a. "Sounds Of Unity & Love"). A recording contract in New York with Musicor Records and $1000 cash were the first-prizes from a local songwriting contest which S.O.U.L. entered and won. The result, a live (?) reworking of Donny Hathaway's instant classic "The Ghetto" from one year previous, namechecks several then-segregated local communities on side 2. A couple of albums followed, the first of which charted in the Top 40 in Billboard. Another single from this energetic and dynamic group will be posted here next month, but until then enjoy S.O.U.L. and thanks for coming over to CLESOUL.

a Christmas soundtrack for you this year...

Regale your family and friends with soul favorites this season, and Sir Shambling's Deep Soul Heaven is the place to go for a very nice selection of yuletide soul platters. Two different versions of "Christmas in Vietnam" for example, very impressive. Hope you had a happy Hanukkah, and have a Merry Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year from all at CLESOUL. See you next month!