In the dusty corners of soul music’s vast legacy, there are 7-inch records that never broke into the mainstream but pulse with raw emotion, grit, and groove. These three 45s are hidden treasures—each capturing a moment of longing, resilience, and soul-deep storytelling.
Jerry Jackson: You Don't Wanna Hurt Me / La-Dee-Dah (Ha-Ha-Ha)
Label: Kapp 448. Released 1962.
Label Owner:Dave Kapp
Label Address: 119 West 57th St. New York, NY, 139 East 57th St. New
York, NY (1954-1973)
A Side: You Don’t Wanna Hurt Me
B Side: La-Dee-Dah (Ha-Ha-Ha)
Jerry Jackson might not be a household name, but his voice hits like a velvet hammer. On "You Don’t Wanna Hurt Me", Jackson pleads with a quiet intensity, walking the tightrope between heartbreak and hope. It’s a beautifully orchestrated mid-tempo number, driven by strings and subdued horns. Flip it over and "La-Dee-Dah (Ha-Ha-Ha)" shifts gears into cheeky, finger-snapping territory—a playful, almost tongue-in-cheek groove that shows off Jackson’s versatility. A-side for the soul, B-side for the sass.
Sound Clips and Order Information
Jewels: Gotta Find A Way / Opportunity
Label: Dimension 1034. Released 1964
Label Owner: Nevins-Kirshner Assoc. Inc., Screen Gems Inc.
Label Address: New York, NY (1962-1965)
A Side: Gotta Find A Way
B Side: Opportunity
DC's The Jewels bring tight harmonies and a subtle Motown edge on "Gotta Find A Way", a track full of yearning and drive. It’s got that ‘60s girl-group sheen but with an emotional weight that digs a little deeper. On the flip, "Opportunity" is a standout—a funky, minor-key stomper with grit and a message. There’s urgency in their voices, a hunger for more than what the world’s offering. This is soul with a backbone, equal parts sweetness and steel.
Sound Clips and Order Information
Johnson Sisters: You Don't Want Me Any More / I Found My Place
Label: Broadway 400. Released 1964.
Label Owner: Henry "Juggy" Murray
Label Address: 725 Riverside Dr., New York, NY (1964-1968)
A Side: You Don’t Want Me Anymore
B Side: I Found My Place
This one’s pure heartbreak gold. "You Don't Want Me Any More" is a torch song dressed up in shimmering production—the kind of slow-burner that grabs your chest. The Johnson Sisters pour it all out with unfiltered vulnerability. Then, just when you think they’re down for the count, "I Found My Place" flips the narrative into one of empowerment. It’s a gospel-tinged affirmation, an emotional pivot that feels like a sunrise after a storm. Rare and real.
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 oursecure form.