music: "Fine As Wine" - Willie Kendrick (Golden World A1b)

On 9th September 1963, a Detroit address would appear on the Golden World label for the first time.

Looking like the premises might have been one of Ed's taxi offices, two releases would emanate from 11801 12th Street.

The first by Willie Kendrick was number GW A-1, the second by Sue Perrin, was number GW B-2; a strange numbering system.

The Sue Perrin recording is significant in that she is the only artist to carry forward from the old set up. I recently saw an image of a demo of her first 45 which had her age marked on the label as 16 years.

For this release, the songwriter and producer was Marv Johnson. On the flip side William Weatherspoon co-wrote "Recipe Of Love" with Sonny Sanders, and Sue herself. Sonny was the producer.

We would also see for the first time a new publishing company in Myto.

JoAnne gave me the background to Myto. "It was simple really. It was made up from the names of two of my close relations, my Aunt Myrtle and my cousin Toni."

Myto would go on to publish some of the finest songs associated with the Detroit Sound.

With the new address, came a new label design. 

"I designed the logo myself, which was of a world made of gold", JoAnne declared proudly.

Willie's 45 was only the ninth release since the company was formed in January 1962. Nine releases in 22 months could be deemed slow progress for a company with ambitions. 

There may even have been a lull somewhere in between, but those early 45's are particularly difficult to date.

Willie Kendrick had recorded "Let Me Know" for Checker in early 1963.

Later that year, Ed and JoAnne took him to Mirasound, in New York City,  to record  "Stop This Train".

Mirasound was located in the basement of the Hotel America on 47th Street. A dining room and kitchen, in a Polynesian Restaurant, had been converted into a studio and a control room. 

This shop ,and car park above, replace Hotel America, which once housed Mirasound Studios

This time former gospel choir leader Robert Banks, who at that stage had only minor experience of  R&B / Soul, would provide arrangements.

He would however, go on to make some great songs for the likes of Nolan Chance and Jock Mitchell.

After Willie's recording for Golden World, there was a lull of about two and a half years before he was picked up by Jack Ashford who recorded several classic tracks on him at Pied Piper Productions.

Continued