Calvin Golden
This obscure and interesting 45 comes from Michigan and while the instrumental “Voo Doo Dance” holds little interest for me, I can’t say the same about You’re Not Close To Me (Like You Used To Be). This rambling ballad has a lot of the low budget lo fi appeal of the “little label” about it, from the awful editing that in a couple of places sounds like the record mistracks, through the “muddy” mix to the under rehearsed band. But Golden triumphs through it all thanks to his unswerving commitment to the song and his fine gritty tone.
Writer/arranger James Lately recorded a hugely rare Northern soul title himself on Temple but ballad freaks should certainly check out the flip “Tears Running And Falling From My Eyes”.
Special thanks to Bob Abrahamian for the suggestion and for pointing out that the 45 was issued on two different Aquarius label designs.