UK

Kalita Records present the first ever official reissue of the Sophisticated Ladies sought-after 1980 New York disco single 'This Ain't Really Love' backed with a Mighty Zaf extended B-Side edit.Kalita Records are proud and honoured to announce the first ever official reissue of the Sophisticated Ladies' sought-after 1980 New York disco single 'This Ain't Really Love', backed by a Mighty Zaf extended edit of their 1977 release 'Check It Out', and accompanied by interview-based liner notes. Here, the single will be available in its true 12” format, saving collectors and DJs alike from spending triple-digit figures on an original copy.First formed in 1955, the Sophisticated Ladies started their recording life as the R&B girl group The Bobbettes, originally consisting of five female vocalists (Jannie Pought, Emma Pought, Reather Dixon, Laura Webb and Helen Gathers). The group were signed to the Atlantic record label and were most known for their 1957 hit single ‘Mr. Lee’, which peaked at #6 on the Billboard Pop singles chart and remained #1 on the R&B chart for four weeks. They were in fact the first girl group to have a #1 R&B song which also was placed in the top ten of the singles chart.However, by the mid-1970s and with the emergence of the disco era, the Bobbettes changed their name to the Sophisticated Ladies. As Emma Patron (nee Pought) recalled to me in the winter of 2017, The Bobbettes’ success with ‘Mr. Lee’ had been both a blessing and a curse – on the one hand it had provided them with international fame, yet by the 1970s it had become a constant weight and drag upon the group, type-casting and inhibiting their development as artists. Thus, upon the suggestion of their managers and producers Joe Webb and Frank Fair, the name The Bobbettes was lost, replaced now by the Sophisticated Ladies. Not only did this provide the opportunity for a clean sheet, but it also allowed them to have an image change from a girl group to a female disco outfit, as Joe recalls, ‘when we changed the name and gave the band a more soulful, disco sound, it made a huge difference’.The Sophisticated Ladies (by this time consisting of Emma, Laura and Reather) released two singles between 1977 and 1980. They toured the southern states of America (whilst also touring internationally as the Bobbettes) and received radio airtime throughout the country. Here we have chosen to highlight their scarce, choice cut ‘This Ain’t Really Love’ and have invited The Mighty Zaf to re-work their version of Bobby Womack’s ‘Check It Out’, making it perfect for modern disco dancing.- First ever official reissue of sought-after New York disco 12” single- Accompanied by an extended edit by The Mighty Zaf of their 1977 release 'Check It Out' engineered by Phil Asher- Includes extensive liner notes based on interviews with band member Emma Pought and manager/producer Joe Webb

Original copies of this beautiful Chain Reaction 7 inch have been changing hands for £500, so this is a true digger's delight.Exceptional soul from the late 70's which hundreds before have attempted to license to no avail. Lack of trust was a key issue in these pursuits, after 'Say Yeah' was used in a B grade Hollywood movie without permission, alongside record collectors cleaning producer Harold Sargent out of his original 45s before upping them on Ebay for $1000 apiece.Cue the good people at Rain & Shine, a non-profit organisation based out of New Zealand, who have worked with Chain Reaction directly to license this incredible record properly - returning all net profits to the artists involved.It really doesn't get much better than this - spiritual stuff! Comes complete with picture sleeve , pressed on black vinyl with a large dinked centre hole.

Ce Ce Rogers' spine tingling, seminal hit 'Someday' gets a much-welcomed official remastered, reissue 31 years after it first took the scene by storm.Produced by Chicago's master, Marshall Jefferson, every element is unmistakable - from the dynamic bass and sweeping flutes that set the scene for that instantly recognisable piano riff, to the raw soulful beauty of Rogers' vocals. 'Someday' is a record that truly captures the euphoric, loving nature of the early house music scene - epitomising a timeless spirit and hope for future harmony within society.Often cited as one of the greatest dance records of all time, it's influence is clear to be seen from the sheer number of covers and records that have since sampled it. An indisputable masterpiece, complete with dub mix and accainstrumental versions, this is an essential 12" for any record collector out there - house head or not.