There’s something magical about flipping through old 45s—the crackle, the label design, the feeling that you’ve discovered a secret the radio forgot. These three singles are prime examples of deep soul at its most raw and personal. From heartbroken confessionals to groove-driven declarations, each of these 45s captures lightning in a bottle.

Jimmy Wallace: Forever / How You Did Destroy

Label: Alpha 002. Released 1964.

Label Owner: C. Percy (Don) White

Label Address: 2020 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. (1964-1965)

A Side: Forever

B Side: How You Did Destroy

Jimmy Wallace’s Forever is a slow-burning soul ballad drenched in longing. His vocal delivery feels intimate and slightly frayed around the edges—in the best way possible. There’s a pleading quality to his voice that gives the song a confessional tone, like you’re overhearing a late-night apology that might already be too late.

Flip it over to How You Did Destroy and the emotional temperature rises. The track leans heavier, with a darker lyrical core and a sense of betrayal that cuts deep. Wallace doesn’t just sing about heartbreak—he sounds like he’s living in the wreckage. It’s that unfiltered honesty that makes this 45 such a treasured find among deep soul collectors.

Sound Clips and Order Information

Spencer Wiggins: Love Machine / Love Me Tonight

Label: Fame 1463. Released 1969.

Label Owner: Rick Hall. Florence Area Music Enterprises.

Label Address: 603 East Avalon Ave, Muscle Shoals, AL

A Side: Love Machine

B Side: Love Me Tonight

Spencer Wiggins is a name that soul aficionados hold close, and this pairing shows why. Love Machine rides a tight groove—rhythm section locked in, horns punching through with urgency. Wiggins’ voice glides over the arrangement with that signature Southern ache, equal parts smooth and gritty.

On Love Me Tonight, the vulnerability comes forward. The production pulls back just enough to spotlight his phrasing, which carries a conversational ease. There’s an immediacy here—no overproduction, no polish for polish’s sake—just pure Memphis soul energy pressed into seven inches of wax.

Sound Clips and Order Information

Anita Washington: (I'm) Afraid to Try Again / "Same" (Promo)

Label: Siamese 3.

A Side: (I’m) Afraid to Try Again

B Side: “Same” (Promo)

Anita Washington’s (I’m) Afraid to Try Again is deep soul at its most vulnerable. Her voice trembles with hesitation, capturing that fragile space between wanting love and fearing its consequences. The arrangement—subtle strings, steady drums—frames her vocal without overshadowing it.

The promo flip, “Same”, offers a fascinating contrast. While still rooted in emotional storytelling, it carries a slightly different energy—less fragile, more resolute. Washington commands the track with a quiet strength, making this 45 especially prized among collectors who appreciate nuanced, under-the-radar female soul performances.

Sound Clips and Order Information

If you are interested in purchasing one of these 45s from Parker’s Records please write down the Artist and Song Title while listening to the sound clips to make for an easy checkout experience. You can make purchases using our secure form.

August is a hot month for us here in the Midwest and we thought it would only be appropriate to write this month’s blog about some of the hottest tracks available at Parker’s Records. Leading off in August is George Tindley, followed by Robert Taylor, and finally we have a 45 from Talk of the Town. Be sure to leave your comments below the blog!

George Tindley: Pity the Poor Man / Wan-Tu-Wah-Zuree

Label: Wand 11215. Released in 1970.

Label Owner: Florence Greenburg. 1674 Broadway, New York, NY; 1850 Broadway New York, NY; 254 West 54^th St., New York, NY. (1959-1976)

A Side: Pity the Poor Man

B Side: Wan-Tu-Wah-Zuree

George Tindley sure knows how to treat his woman. “Pity the Poor Man” emphasizes the importance of sticking together in a relationship and making sacrifices for the one you love. In the words of my late grandfather, “A happy wife is a happy life.”  The B side of this 45 is only available for listening in our store, but you can find more details by clicking the link below.

Sound Clips and Order Information

Robert Taylor: Packin’ Up Your Love / A Change is Gonna Come

Label: Sonic 8624. Released in 1968.

Label Address: 4736 Stony Island Avenue, Chicago, IL.

A Side: Packin’ Up Your Love

B Side: A Change is Gonna Come

A good shuffle is the key to my heart and the A side of this 45 grooves. “Packin’ Up Your Love” is the perfect mix of drums, bass, horns, and soulful vocals sung by Robert Taylor. Flip the 45 over and you’ll get Taylor’s rendition of the Sam Cooke classic, “A Change Gonna Come.” This track has been covered by so many renown artists over the years, but few have heard Robert Taylor’s version. Get it using the link below!

Sound Clips and Order Information

Talk of the Town: Don’t Be So Mean / Accept Me for What I Am

Label: North Bay 305. Released in 1972.

Label Owner: Jimmy Bishop, Philadelphia, PA. (1971-9172)

A Side: Don’t Be So Mean

B Side: Accept Me for What I Am

If you love vocal harmonies – and who doesn’t – you are in for a treat. This Talk of the Town 45 featuring “Don’t Be So Mean” and “Accept Me for What I Am” might be the hottest vinyl available at Parker’s Records and it could be yours. Both tracks start off with unique beginnings incorporating bongos and what sounds like a timpani only to drop into soulful grooves guaranteed to make your hairs stick up.

Sound Clips and Order Information

If you are interested in purchasing one of these 45s from Parker’s Records please write down the record number while listening to the sound clips to make for an easy checkout experience. You can make purchases using our secure form.

When we think of “essential” soul and R&B records, we tend to think of classic 60’s songs that every fan should have in their collection. But at Parker’s Records and Comics we know that essential means much more than just must have—we’re talking about records that are quintessentially soul and R&B. Once you listen to one of these records, you’ll understand. All it takes is a strong, rhythmic sound and smooth, harmonizing vocals and you’ll find yourself saying, “Now that’s soul music.”

I Paid For The Party by the Enchanters – Loma 2012 (Released 1965)

Label owner: Mike Maitland & Bob Krasner, 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbaznk, CA (1964-1968)

Side A: I Paid For The Party

Side B: I Want To Be Loved

Originally led by influential soul and R&B singer Garnet Mimms, The Enchanters set out to make a name for themselves after Mimms left the group in 1964. Sam Bell led the group which also included Zola Pearnell, Charles Boyers, and William Gilmore.

“I Want To Be Loved”, a classic mid-60’s love song, was the first single that the group recorded with Loma, a California-based R&B label. Prior to Loma 2012, the group had recorded “I Wanna Thank You” with Loma’s parent label, Warner Bros. Records, in 1964 and eventually went on to record two more singles—“We Got Love” and “You Were Meant To Be My Baby”—for Loma 2054 and Loma 2035, respectively. Of the four singles that the Enchanters recorded, however, Loma 2012 stands apart as the group’s definitive example of northern soul.

I Need Your Love by the Egyptian Kings – Nanc 1120 (Released 1963)

Label owner: Howard Ransom & James L. Turner 124 East, 101^st St., Los Angeles, CA & 138 1/2 S. Florence, CA (1957-1963)

Side A: I Need Your Love

Side B: Give Me Your Love

The Egyptian Kings, along with the Egyptians & King Pharaoh, were a splintering of the Four Pharaohs, a top R&B vocal group in Columbus. While both incarnations of the group were led by Morris Wade, the Egyptian Kings featured Paul Moore, Pete Oden, and Leo Blakely.

While “I Need Your Love” is the song that lends its name to this 7” vinyl record, it’s “Give Me Your Love” that truly defines Nanc 1120. “Give Me Your Love” is a smooth, soulful love song that features tenor Morris Wade at his best. Nanc 1120 marks the third recording of the song. Previously, the group released versions of the song for both Ransom and Paradise in 1958. With Wade’s natural talent and a harmony that has been absolutely perfected, it’s difficult not to give Nanc 1120 your love.

Write Your Ticket by Element Experience – Green Eagle 314 (Released 1970)

Side A: Write Your Ticket

Side B: Make Yourself At Home Honey

“Write Your Ticket” would be both the only single released by Element Experience as well as the only single released by the Green Eagle label. But neither the artist nor the label needs a backstory—GE 314 can speak for itself! All it needs is your undivided attention.

“Write Your Ticket” features all of the elements you would expect from the turn of the 60’s funk and soul: the intense groove of strong guitar riffs and bass lines and a driving rhythmic feel. We’ll never know what could have been of Element Experience or the Green Eagle label, but we do know one thing—GE 314 is a truly elemental experience.

Add Essential Soul and R&B to Your Music Collection     

Pricing, details (grade, side A/B, quantity) and sound clips for each of the above records can be found via the following links:

I Paid For The Party– Enchanters

I Need Your Love – Egyptian Kings

Write Your Ticket – Element Experience

We provide a simple online ordering form for any of our records. Enter your billing and shipping information, provide details about the record you’re requesting, hit submit, and relax knowing that good times are on their way.

Funk and soul are among the most distinct genres of music. But even among these already highly unique styles, there’s a broad range of variations and traditions that every kind of music listener can appreciate.

At Parker’s Records and Comics, we’ve had the pleasure to experience some of the most unique forms of funk and soul music that emerged during the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. From the cultural phenomenon of northern soul to the California-influenced style of Los Angeles R&B, we’ve experienced every variation that you can imagine. That’s why we’re delighted to share with you now our list of some of the most unique funk/soul records of the 60’s.

Let Me Be A Part Of You by Exotics – Excello 2292 (Released 1968)

Label owner: Ernest L. Young, Nashville, TN (1952-1970)

Side A: Let Me Be A Part Of You

Side B: Let’s Try To Build A Love Affair

The Exotics originated from Orangeburg, South Caroline, but like many great funk/soul groups of the time, they were destined to make their way to Music City. It was there in Nashville, Tennessee, that the group recorded two records with Excello, an independent blues record label that was building a music empire on hits such as “Got Love If You Want It” and “I’m A Lover Not A Fighter”. With their Excello 2284 (“Boogaloo Investigator”) recording in 1967 and their Excello 2292 (“Let Me Be A Part Of You”) recording in 1968, the Exotics joined an elite group of blues singers, songwriters, and musicians that included greats such as blues Slim Harpo and Lazy Lester.

From start to finish, “Let Me Be A Part of You” is everything you would expect from a popular 60’s funk/soul song. The song features an uptempo beat, high-energy vocals, and lyrics that you’ll find yourself singing along to. That’s why, when it comes time to listen to the other side of the 45, most listeners are pleasantly surprised by what they hear! “Let’s Try To Build A Love Affair”, the second song on Excello 2292, slows down the tempo and puts the astonishing vocals of lead singer John Riley at the forefront. Even after just a short listen, you’ll understand why “Let’s Try To Build A Love Affair” is a classic example of northern soul.

Huff And Puff by The Electras – Lola 001 (Released 1962)

Label owner: John Marascvalo, Los Angeles, CA (1962-1964) & New Orleans, LA (1966)

Side A: Huff and Puff

Side B: Mary Mary

By the time the Electras recorded Lola 001, the group already had several successful releases under their belt—albeit under a few different names. The group’s history begins in Los Angeles, California in 1959 when The Valiants, a 50’s rhythm and blues group, added several new members. In doing so, the group made the transition towards doo-wop and R&B and renamed themselves the Untouchables. They recorded “Poor Boy Needs a Preacher” and three other records for Madison Records, a New York-based label, in addition to two records for Liberty. Eventually, the group changed its name to the Electras in 1961. With such a rich history and a diversity of talents, it’s no surprise that Lola 001 features a unique blend of doo-wop, funk and soul that can only be called Los Angeles R&B.

S.O.S. by The Extremes – RCA 9009 Promotional Copy (Released 1966)

Side A: S.O.S.

Side B: Hide The Moon

By the 1960’s, Nashville was already a hive of activity for both up-and-coming and renowned blues and R&B artists. Needless to say, while countless hopefuls flocked to Music City in order to achieve their dream of music stardom, not every artist became the household name they would have liked. And while the Extremes may remain a band that is known to only the most diehard 60’s funk/soul enthusiasts, RCA 9009 itself is a piece of music history. “S.O.S.” is perhaps one of the earliest examples of blue-eyed soul, a genre that was being pioneered by groups like The Extremes. In fact, the term “blue-eyed soul” wasn’t coined until about the mid-1960s, around the time that RCA 9009 was released. Of course, aside from its historical value, the record itself is a rare and highly sought-after item among funk/soul record collectors and those who enjoy collecting promotional copies.

Expand Your Music Collection                          

Pricing, details (grade, side A/B, quantity) and sound clips for each of the above records can be found via the following links:

Let Me Be A Part of You– The Exotics

Huff and Puff– The Electras

S.O.S.– The Extremes

We provide a simple online ordering form for any of our records. Enter your billing and shipping information, provide details about the record you’re requesting, hit submit, and relax knowing that good times are on their way.