RELEASE DATE 29th November 2024
In 1978, Eugene Smiley formed the band The Essence Of Love with established producers Keith Montgomery and Albert White on their label K-City Records. The trio only managed to record and release two singles “We’re Lovers Day & Night” b/w “Yes Its You” and the promo only 7-inch “I Want To Share My Love With You”.
All quite different in style, it was the B-side “Yes It's You” that became extremely sought after in the European and UK soul scenes, the music reminiscent of Carl Davis, Ike Noble and The Chi-Lites. It’s 1967, a little-known group The Mists – comprising of Darryl Penrice, Mel Britt, Ray Foreman, Wilbur Taylor and lead vocalist Eugene Smiley – have just signed a professional recording contract with Brunswick subsidiary Dakar Records and released three singles. Their success at the time was modest and when their contract expired in 1973, the group disbanded. By the time Eugene left the group, he was busy re-establishing himself back in his home city of Kansas, having accrued experience performing with a litany of soul stars; Johnnie Taylor; Al Green; Rufus Thomas; Bobby Womack; Al Green; The Stylistics; Eddie Kendricks and The Chi-lites.
“Yes Its You” was released in 1978, a recording that channelled a decade’s worth of commitment to the cause of performing and spreading quality soul music across America. The musical osmosis of stinting with some of the finest cats in the genre had clearly rubbed off on Smiley, whose craft had become roundly honed and suffused with credible experience by the time of this release. “Yes Its You” is a three-minute up-tempo modern soul groover which wouldn’t sound out of place in the Brunswick catalogue, replete with velvety harmony vocals, soaring strings and orchestral brasses which sink into a propellant 4/4 groove, supported by a rhythm section funkier than a mosquito’s tweeter.
Miles Away Records is thrilled to present the first-ever 7-inch vinyl reissue of this modern-soul classic with the original A-Side We’re Lovers Day & Night now on the flip. Officially licensed from the Smiley estate and presented in brand new picture sleeve designed by Jeremy Zombie.
Mastered and cut by AIR Studios
RELEASE DATE 29th November 2024