UK collection. Featuring 11 previously unissued recordings, this second and final volume of Jack Ashford's independent soul productions from 1967 to the mid-70s is an equal to the first well-received compilation. It opens with the now revered original version of Softouch's 'After You Give Your All' by the writer Sandra Richardson. Thanks to DJ Roger Banks' acetate and to Maxine Brown, we have the original Lorraine Chandler version of 'Don't Leave Me Baby', the song she wrote with Jack Ashford which both Maxine and Ray Gant would cover, the latter a notable Dave Godin Deep Soul Treasure. There are beautiful, newly discovered ballads from Billy Sha-Rae and Cecil Norman Jr but one sure to create a minor earthquake among Deep Soul fans is Eddie Parker's 1976 updating of 'Crying Clown'. Parker's overlooked Jay Walking single 'Can't You See (What You're Doing To Me)' sounds great, while label-mates Ray Gant & the Arabian Knights bring on the social comment with 'Air' and 'Don't Save Your Money' - both excellent Ashford songs from the 70s. Talented arranger and writer George Rountree contributed to several Ashford and/or Chandler songs in the first half of the 70s. Their Don Gardener and Baby Washington 45 'Lay A Little Lovin' On Me' was issued, but Brenda Cook's pretty 'Alone Again' debuts here. Back in the 60s, with Pied Piper gone, Jack placed a sultry instrumental workout on the Sir-Rah label which also provided a home for Al Gardner's 'Watch Yourself'. The Four Sonics' bittersweet and catchy 'Easier Said Than Done' was from this late '60s period.

Tracklist:

After You Give Your All - Sandra Richardson
I Can Fly - the Magnificents
Say That You Love Me Boy - Softouch
Since I Lost My Baby - Perfections
Let Me Take Care of Your Heart - Jack Ashford
How Long Has It Been Since You Had a Love Affair - Cecil Norman JR
Crying Clown - Eddie Parker
The Story of My Life - Billy Sha-Rae
Don't Leave Me Baby - Lorraine Chandler 1
Don't Let Me Down - Sandra Richardson 1
Don't Save Your Money - Ray Gant ; the Arabian Knights 1
I'm Gone - Billy-Sha-Rae 1
This Ain't Just Another Dance Song - Jack Ashford 1
There Can Be a Better Way (Inst.) - the Sound of New Detroit 1
Easier Said Than Done - Four Sonics 1
I Need a True Love - Eddie Parker 1
Watch Yourself - Al Gardner 1
Air - Ray Gant ; the Arabian Knights 1
Lay a Little Lovin' on Me - Don Gardner ; Baby Washington 2
Can't You See (What You're Doing to Me) - Eddie Parker 2
J.C.'s Grit Gitter - J.C. Heard 2
Alone Again - Brenda Cook 2
Lost Without You - Four Sonics Plus One 2
I Found the One - Billy Sha-Rae

UPC: 029667089524
Label: Imports
Release Date: 9.7.18
Format: CD

Jack Ashford Just Productions Vol 2 / Various - Jack Ashford Just Productions Vol 2 / Various (CD)