The Decisions - Color Me Blue - Soul Direction CD Version
OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE: 25th OCTOBER 2024
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS THE CD FORMAT OF THE VINYL LP.
After months of hard work on both sides, Soul Direction can finally release what has been a true labour of love. Ensuring the licensing/publishing are pulled together is a long process, but finally we are here.
15 stunning group soul tracks (including 3 previously unreleased tracks never before issued in any form).
THE AUDIO CLIP FEATURES A SAMPLE OF EACH TRACK ON THE ALBUM.
SIDE ONE
1. COLOR ME BLUE
2. I CAN'T FORGET ABOUT YOU
3. REALLY DO LOVE YOU
4. DO I LOVE HER
5. WE’RE IN LOVE
6. I LOVE YOU
7. SOMEBODY
8. YOU AIN’T GOT MY LOVE – (Previously Unreleased)
9. SWEET VIRGINIA – (Previously Unreleased)
10. THE PIMPS & THE HUSTLERS – (Previously Unreleased)
11. YOU LOOK LIKE AN ANGEL
12. STOP PLAYING AROUND
13. DO YOU LOVE ME
14. THAT GIRL
15. COME ROUND HERE (AND LET ME LOVE YOU).
The relationship with the Decisions and Soul Direction Records continues with our first venture into the world of the 12” album. However, this is something special for us. Over 2021 to 2023, we have covered the journey of the Atlanta group from the early recordings as the Decisions, making their way in the music world with some almost lost unreleased recordings, to their later metamorphosis to Unity in the early 70s. From group harmony soul to sweet soul, and yet seamlessly either side of their time at Clarence Avant’s Sussex label in Hollywood CA. Side one primarily concentrates on the releases from their own label “York Records” in 1969 but added to that some of the lost recordings mastered and released on our label between 2021 and 2023. Side two begins with 3 previously unreleased tracks “You Ain’t Got My Love”, which was recorded in New York around 1967 under the guidance of Titus Turner who arranged and produced the track along with “Sweet Virginia”. The third previously unreleased track “Pimps & The Hustlers” is the final track from the almost lost “York recordings” master tape. Along with these are some of the recordings the group cut with Clarence Avant’s label Sussex. The group formed at S.H. Archer High School and graduated in 1965. They were one of Billboard’s hottest male singing groups to look out for in and around the Georgia area but were gaining success further afield. After two releases for the local self-owned “York” label in 1969, they then signed for “Sussex” records in the early 1970’s for the Los Angeles based label, under the leadership of Clarence Avant and cut three more 45s. While with Sussex Records they continued with their unique Atlanta sound that shocked the recording industry and had some success with releases that included "I Can't Forget About You" & Stop Playing Around".
Group Members:
Fred White
Harvey Pool Henry Little Jnr. (who is sadly no longer with us)
Howard Simpson
Hildred Thomason Snr. (who is sadly no longer with us)
Special Thanks to Joey Thomason Snr. who’s help in this project has been invaluable.
Fred White, on behalf of the Decisions organization would like to thank the following people who have supported them over the years:
Joey Thomason Snr. (Operation Manager), Grady Ferrell, Joseph Jones, Marilyn Warner, June Brittan, Brenda Allen, Diona Hurt, Clarence Avant, Calvin Arnold, Lloyd White, & Titus Turner.
The Decisions Band members: Charles Thomason, Fred Searcy, John Blackmon, and Jesse.
Other supporting Bands: The Soulful Brass Band, Freddy Terrell and The Soul Expedition Band, Victor Vic - Punchy, also Steve-O, and Bill Odum.
Radio Personnel who have supported The Decisions Music: Hank Span, Doug Steel, Bob Mckee, and everyone who has supported us over the years.
A Special Thank you from Soul Direction Records to Brian Poust & Dave Thorley for their invaluable input.
A very special thank you to Mike Stokes for his kind permission on tracks 12 and 13. To all members of The Decisions, whom without their help this album would not have been possible.
