HEART-SOUL AND INSPIRATION - Heart-Soul And Inspiration (2023 Reissue w/ Obi Strip) - LP - 180g Vinyl

LP - 180g Black Vinyl with Obi Strip. Rare 1974 Soul-Funk from Los Angeles. Originally Released as a Private Pressing. First Ever Vinyl Reissue (released in collaboration with the Numero Group) . Only 500 copies in this pressing.

Little is known about the mythical band ‘Heart-Soul and Inspiration’ and their band leader, L.A. drummer and producer Vince Howard...The crooning Howard got his start in 1957 on Herb Newman’s Era label where he released a bunch of excellent Doo Wop, Funk & Soul singles. Over the ensuing decade Howard slowly began piecing together his “Orchestra” consisting of bassist Jimmy Soul, guitarist Ron Carr, and pianist John True. Howard’s Heart-Soul and Inspiration Orchestra cut their self-titled (and only) album in 1974 for John Spriggs’ Los Angeles-based Viscojon concern under the watchful eye of R&B godfather Johnny Otis.

The result was the birth of an astonishing piece of art filled with playful sexy moans, climaxing grooves and soulful hooks. One of the many highlights on the album (and clocking in at an epic eleven minutes), Vince Howard’s “I’m Gonna Love You More” is a tantric reimagining of Barry White’s 1973 sexually charged classic. Where White was content delivering a subtle and syrupy innuendo, Howard transformed the break-heavy track into a meandering funk workout.

Sadly, after their Barry White / Isaac Hayes facsimile LP failed to gain traction, the group released their final recordings - “Funk on Down” b/w “Fallen Angel” - for Viscojon in 1975 which became a hit among prominent DJ’s in the nightclub circuit. This ushered in the end for Howard’s Heart-Soul and Inspiration project.

Heart-Soul and Inspiration was a true example of a bright light burning out way too quickly. Thankfully we are left with the unique (and very rare) document that is their self-titled album. Almost impossible to get ahold of...a well-deserved reissue has been long overdue. This is an album that deserves a prominent place in every serious Funk and Soul enthusiast’s record collection! 

Tracklist:

A1. I'm Gonna Love You More [10:56]
A2. Can't Get Enough [7:09]

B1. Make Love To Your Mind [4:59]
B2. Can't Get Enough [7:09]
B3. My First, Last, My Everything [4:50]