Frank James

Frank or Frankie James is best known to soul fans for the splendidly raucous “Sea Of Faces” but I suspect that his first 45 was the extremely obscure Isabel release, both sides of which are much better R & B. The uptempo “I Don’t Care” moves along at a good clip, but I prefer the beat ballad There’s Only One Love. The Tru-Sound 45 was probably his second release and The Story Of My Life is very much in the same vein, but features a stronger melody and fuller arrangement. But his finest moment on wax was undoubtedly the Ace single. Although the label seems to be have been Boston based the brilliant deep Give Your Sweet Love To Me was cut in New York. In front of a meandering trombone chart, tinkling piano and gently murmuring female chorus James is both passionate and convincing. The hook is especially well arranged and sticks in the mind like glue. A tip of the hat to Phil Medley the writer/arranger/producer as well. Unfortunately he made a bit of a mess of the recut “There’s Only One Love” on the flip, laying the syrup on with a trowel.

I assume that the guy who made the robotic dancer “Summer Time” in the late 80s/early 90s for Super Sonic is somebody completely different.

 

 

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