The Tempests - Would You Believe! (LP 1967 Smash - CD 2007 Poker-Expanded Version + Booklet) - Rare Soul (FLAC 272MB)

REPOST/UPGRADE form the old blog. The first time ever this was featured on a Blog was when i reviewed the album on the old blog for this legendary and highly sought after classic 60s soul album. The ten piece band from North Carolina were a massive draw on the live circuit and were major players in expounding the Carolina Beach Scene. This their one and only album was originally issued in 1967 by Smash Records in the States. The album would become a prized item by Northern Soul Fans, with two tracks in particular attracting a great deal of dance floor attention, namely ‘Someday’ and ‘I Don’t Want To Lose Her’. They became massive in the Early 70,s at The Torch in Stoke & in the 80s, especially so at the legendary Top Of The World all-niters in Stafford, and these gems still command serious respect today. Other classic tunes and dance floor favourites include ‘Ain’t No Big Thing’,‘What You Gonna Do’ ‘Would You Believe’ & ‘Cant get you Out Of My Mind’. Plus you simply must check out their exhilarating version of ‘You Don’t Know Like I Know’.  The guys came from around the Charlotte, North Carolina area & were started by brothers John & Michael branch. They existed from 1963 to the mid seventies, with frequent personnel changes (up to twenty five members in its history). They were an all white line up except for their lead vocalists. The earliest version named The Tempest Band recorded “Love Have Mercy”on Atlantic, with African/American Mike Williams on vocals. At this time they were under the management of a female DJ and entrepreneur Hattie Leeper before Williams went solo to record the Vietnam war deep soul classic “Lonely Soldier” again on Atlantic. The Tempests’ lead vocalists during their later period on Smash included Hazel Martin who joined between 1966 and 1968 and then Otis Smith who recorded one single with them. This CD was only issued in the UK and has 4 bonus tracks as opposed to the original album. These blue eyed soulsters are up there with the Embers & Magnificent Men for their unique contribution to soul/dance music as the Northern Scene will verify. Read the booklet its all in there. THIS IS A DANCERS DELIGHT!...HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

AMM

                                                                                       Their Northern Classic Tasters!