The Darling Dears – I Don’t Think I’ll Ever Love Another

Test pressing for The Darling Dears

Great nod to the old Flower City label by COS

I had been hearing a lot about this Holy Grail Soul record for a long time, and when Jeff over at Cultures of Soul send me a message that they were reissuing it and asked if I wanted a test pressing, well, how could I say no? The original record, for those of you who are into this type of thing, has fetched upwards of three thousand bucks and more on online auctions. With only about 1000 45’s pressed up in originally, this record has been on many a want list (and apparently a dude found 50 copies in the remains of the Fine Records Studio in Rochester). The Rochester, NY band is backed up by fellow Flower City mates Funky Heavy on this track (which was originally done by the band Rock Candy) for some really sweet, beautiful, Soul. It seems that COS hooked up with the Darling Dears themselves, as well as long time music promoter Alvin (Lawrence) Lofton and the rest they say, is history. A reissue of some of the sweetest girl group Soul you will ever hear is getting put out for all to consume, and not for $3K.

If that’s not enough, it seems that Now Again with help from NY Funk and Soul researcher and archivist David Griffith have teamed up to also release this record through their Orivious Records label. It looks like both parties have done their homework and released it through the proper channels. Props to both of these great labels for making sure these artists get paid. This is something I like to see here at FMF. Now for all you collectors, diggers, DJs, and Soul lovers, you can go over to Cultures of Soul and get your “special limited edition issue of this 45 licensed courtesy of Alvin Lofton and the Darling Dears. Limited to 500 copies and fully remastered with a special replica label of the original issue. The first 50 pre-orders will also receive a reprinted photo of the group.” That’s the photo used above. Hot damn for some sweet Soul.

The Darling Dears – I Don’t Think I’ll Ever Love Another on Flower City Records