Hot on the heels of their last 45 on the Embers (see https://www.soulandjazzandfunk.com/news/first-time-for-first-time / ) , MARK BICKNELL’S BIG MAN RECORDS are lining up another collectable 45 pairing two more in-demand items from the golden age of Carolina Beach Music.
The A side features ‘I Remember’ from ANTHONY AND THE AQUA LADS. Not a lot is known about Anthony (Maner or Manor) save that he was a blue-eyed soulster who cut two singles fronting the Aqua Lads who were a popular revue band on the beach music circuit especially in and around Charlotte, North Carolina and Myrtle Beach. The Aqua Lads (pictured below) often worked with a female duo, the Chantells, and with an ever-changing line up, they were active between 1963 and 1969.
Anthony and the Aqua Lads’ first single was 1965’s ‘For The Love of Money’/ ‘You Feel The Power’ which was released on Aqua Records. It took two years for them to get a follow up out – ‘I Remember’/ ‘The Hearts That True’ (Gold Bee Records) and it’s ‘I Remember ‘ that fronts the new Big Man 7”. The release is set to meet demand for the song. Original Gold Bee issues are going for north of £300! Sonically, this ‘I Remember’ is a light, blue-eyed soul dancer with sweet harmonies and it’s easy to hear why it enjoyed impact on the Northern scene.
The flip of the new Big Man 45 (we can’t call it a B side!) is another sweet and lovely blue-eyed beach music sound – ‘You’re The One’ from the TWILIGHTS. Again not a lot is know about the Twilights except that they too worked in and around Charlotte and as far was we know they released just one single, ‘That’s Alright’/ ‘You’re The One’ released on Aqua Records in 1971. Originals are fetching big bucks and the Big Man team have (wisely) gone for the more in-demand ‘You’re The One’; it’s pacey, brassy and optimistic and features fine soul harmonies – clearly the Twilights had been listening to groups like the Impressions and the Esquires!
As with all Big Man product, these releases are fully licensed and come in custom picture sleeves, with A6 collectors cards in poly sleeves. Learn more @ Bicknellmark@aol.com OR bigmanrecords1@gmail.com
