A Round Of Applause Please

Some 1970s southern soul sides from Memphis for you today, courtesy of The Ovations. Both were released in 1972, hidden away as B-sides, and both were written and produced by that fine stalwart Dan Greer. So you know they are going to be good.

The Ovations had two lives and two line-ups, the first releasing a series of singles on Goldwax between 1964 and 1969, the second on the Sounds of Memphis label from 1971 to 1973. The only constant was the golden-throated lead singer Louis Williams Jr.

The Ovations had a few minor hits, hitting the top ten in the Billboard R&B charts with their version of Sam Cooke's "Having A Party" in 1973, but like so many of the great southern soul acts of the era they never had the success their talent deserved.

"Don't Break Your Promise" - The Ovations

"Take It From One Who Knows (A Loser)" - The Ovations

Here are Louis and the lads with a A-side of "Don't Break Your Promise". How did this only get to #104 in the charts? Its a travesty.

In unrelated news, I saw Nana Benz do Togo live in a local beer garden last night. Their debut album "AGO" was one of my favourite records of last year so I had been really looking forward to the gig and they did not disappoint.

They make quite a sound. Three powerful female singers, one of whom doubles up on synth, and two men on home-made percussion. They mix Togolese rhythms and harmonies with some early 1980s synth-pop and some late 1980s Italian house (at different points I was convinced that I heard "Just Can't Get Enough" and "Ride On Time"). Best of all, you can watch a man whack big pieces of plastic tubing with a pair of flip-flops.

I will feature them properly when the African Odyssey rolls into Togo in a couple of months but here is a clip to tide you over, And if you get the chance to go and see them, do it!