Hodges James Smith (& Crawford) Early Years & Unheard Pearls 1970-1973 CD

Hodges, James, Smith (& Crawford) are one of the last great 70s girl groups to be compiled. The reason for the strange billing is that they were formed in 1970, had a release as Hodges, James & Smith, then as Love 'N' Stuff. Ex-Motown starlet Carolyn Crawford joined in late 1971 for two singles before departing amicably in late 1972, leaving Pat Hodges, Denita James and Jessica Smith to continue as a trio. The early 45s are excellent and have long been admired, but the tracks found in the vault are superb and make this a must-buy for lovers of the girl soul group sound. Highlights include the two M'Pingo 45s when they were a quartet and the unissued dancers 'Wishful Thinking', 'What Made You Think', 'Nothing Special In You' and the sexy 'In My Fantasy'. Pre-release plays of these at the 100 Club and on On-liners have been very well received indeed. The girls were also great purveyors of powerful ballads such as in 'Baby My Love Is Showing', 'I'm A Woman' and 'Never Meant To Be'. The songs and production are from Mickey Stevenson, Clarence Paul, Ronnie McNeir, Leon Ware, Ernie Shelby and other talented musicians from the Detroit and Los Angeles scenes of the early 70s. Writers Rudy Calvo and A. Scott Galloway have conducted new interviews with Mickey Stevenson, Pat Hodges, Carolyn Crawford and Ronnie McNeir to tell the full story in the CD package. Carolyn Crawford has also supplied the only known photos of the group as a foursome.

1. Wishful Thinking - Hodges, James ; Smith 2. LetÆs Pick Up The Pieces û Hodges, James, Smith ; Crawford 3. Somewhere A Valley - Hodges, James ; Smith 4. Write Me A Letter û Hodges, James, Smith ; Crawford 5. What Made You Think û Hodges, James, Smith ; Crawford 6. Nothing Special In You û Hodges, James ; Smith 7. IÆm In Love - Hodges, James, Smith ; Crawford 8. AinÆt That Right - Hodges, James ; Smith 9. Nobody - Hodges, James, Smith ; Crawford 10. In My Fantasy - Hodges, James ; Smith 11. IÆm A Woman - Love æNÆ Stuff 12. Never Meant To Be û Hodges, James, Smith ; Crawford 13. Hang Up To You - Love æNÆ Stuff 14. Let It Out, Let It In - Love æNÆ Stuff 15. Right On Brothers, Right On - Love æNÆ Stuff 16. It Cracks Me Up - Hodges, James ; Smith 17. (Baby) DonÆt Leave Me - Love æNÆ Stuff 18. Baby My Love Is Showing û Hodges, James ; Smith 19. Again / At Last û Hodges, James, Smith ; Crawford 20. IÆve Gotta Be Me - Hodges, James ; Smith 21. If You Wanna Love Me - Love æNÆ Stuff