Father’s Children – Everybody’s Got a Problem – Soul Direction
B/W - In Shallah
Pre Order for Release Date – W/C 11th July 2022
Mastered for vinyl from the original master tapes. Recorded around 1972, these tracks were a result of Band Manager Robert Hosea Williams who had the foresight to preserve the master tapes from those early sessions and these masterful tracks were released on a 2011 Numero LP.
Permission was given for Soul Direction to Master these two tracks from the original master tapes. Soul Direction have made this release a Double AA Side and the reason is clear. “Everybody’s Got a Problem” having a powerful message about political conflict surrounding the Nixon administration and “In Shallah” having the Arabic translation of if “Allah wills” or “God willing” it’s clear the bands influences and beliefs but is celebrated in strong vocals and sublime harmonies respectively and for that reason each side is celebrated equally.
Band Members:
Nick Smith, Billy Sumler Ted ‘Skeet’ Carpenter, Michael Rogers, Donald Radcliff, Jackie Peoples. (Many names were changed when converting to Islam)
Hailing from Washington DC, the original members Nick Smith, Billy Sumler and Ted ‘Skeet’ Carpenter started like most, a street corner doo wop trio but after Jackie Peoples joined, they soon became a tight quartet. After a few high school dances and local talent shows they got a backing gig with Frankie Karl and became “The Dreams”. Frankie would go on to keep the name and put another band together called The Dreams. The guys were very much against the Vietnam War and would try to protest it through their brand of fine soulful harmonies. Eventually they were helped along by Norman Hylton and Larry Bell (Formerly of the Argo famed Carlton’s) who had set up ‘Pure Street Production’ a management company for up-and-coming hopefuls as part of an economic development grant. Hylton took a real shine to the band but he also wanted to add to the group to make a larger ensemble, so he tasked the band with adding new talent. Bassist Michael Rogers and Drummer Donald Radcliff were added, and later guitarist Steve “Tai” Woods was recruited, eventually Zachary Long would replace Radcliff. After several spiritual experiences Hylton, who was already a convert to Islam helped them transgress to the fold and there the “Father’s Children” were born, and the “Dreams” were no more. In 1972, Saleem (Formerly Hylton) was introduced to studio magnate Robert Hosea Williams, who owned several small studios and worked with Gil Scott Heron and Van McCoy. Hylton decided to pass the band over to ‘Fly Enterprises’ who would hopefully drive the band to better things. They already had the tracks “Everybody’s Got a Problem” and later that year added “In Shallah” which are the two tracks on this release.
These tracks and others allowed them to tour to Texas and as far afield as Bermuda before eventually returning to DC. Eventually in 1976 Fly Enterprises went bust with no funds to pay for the master tapes of the bands recordings Robert Hosea Williams took the masters adding them to his portfolio. The band were in the musical wilderness for a year or two with members trying to pursue personal projects which sadly never really ended up coming to much. A strange but chance meet with a guy named ‘Raheem’ and under the guise of a band member managed to get the band signed to Mercury Records which led to their 1979 self-titled Album release. With a few members being replaced they released the single “Hollywood Dreaming” bw “Shine On” which failed to chart and ultimately led to Mercury pulling the plug on their short-lived career. The band slowly dissolved with some of the group staying lifelong friends as they had previously. In 2005 the group reformed and released a self-funded album titled “Sky’s The Limit” for a brief chance of the limelight. Luckily Robert Hosea Williams had the foresight to preserve the master tapes from those early sessions and these masterful tracks were released on a 2011 Numero LP from which these 2 tracks were lifted for a 7” release. Soul Direction have made this release a Double AA Side and the reason is clear. “Everybody’s Got a Problem” having a powerful message about political conflict surrounding the Nixon administration and “In Shallah” having the Arabic translation of if “Allah wills” or “God willing” it’s clear the bands influences and beliefs but is celebrated in strong vocals and sublime harmonies respectively and for that reason each side is celebrated equally.
