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Toni And The Showmen - Try My Love

Here's one I've hammered for years... and when you listen to it you'll understand why: what a storming dancer... Fair takes your breath away!

The Showmen themselves are NOT Norman Johnson's group but a pair of local [South Central LA] singers who add a great sound to the record whilst Toni offers her 'Love' to the duo, playing them off against each other... Ironically in the studio this is exactly what happened as they allegedly came to blows over the extremely beautiful woman. Al Scott, their producer had to split them up and the split went further as they never recorded together again... A great shame based on this track.

I myself heard a friend play it at his pad [Ion the Mighty] and fell in love with it instantly and after a year or so of commenting and badgering and him not getting anywhere with it [it's being 'too R&B for most peoples tastes back then] he decided on a whim to give it me, for which I am ever grateful, with the words, "That's more up your street... way too R&B for me!"

He was so-so right of course... although way too R&B to me is not the insult it was to him... nowt but a positive in my eyes and I banged away at it in my few Djing spots receiving pretty much the same reaction, but caring less because I was playing what I loved!

Ady Croasdel then borrowed it [this copy] about ten years ago for 'The Soul Of Money' compilation on Kent. He also added it [somewhat ridiculously for an unbroken record] to the 'Once Upon A Time In Wigan' soundtrack again on Kent, which was it's first big break... from where it finally flew, along with it's price!

Nowadays it's well liked & well-played... I think most people can even feel the funk edge lurking in it's depths and even Butch [who I'm guessing originally turned it up - ask Ion where he got it if you care!] spun it at the recent 100 Club 32nd Anniversary which kinda shows how times & tastes move on.

Anyway if you're still awake, it's another gem for you to enjoy!