Ben White — an obscure singer who counts Cab Calloway and Otis Redding among his cousins and who logged sessions with Marvin Gaye, Bloodstone, Carl Carlton and the Salsoul Orchestra — cut just one solo recording, the 1982 7-inch "I Would Have To Be A Fool," now reissued on vinyl by Athens Of The North.
After the birth of his child, Ben White stepped away from the music scene, leaving this single as his only solo recording — a 7-inch brimming with his remarkable talent. The A-side, the obscure disco/boogie funk cut "I Would Have To Be A Fool" (sample 1), is a cool number draped in that unmistakable early-'80s air, but it's the B-side, "Just Give Love A Try" (sample 2) — a warm, fresh, tender ballad sung with sentimental care and a lustrous falsetto — that really strikes the heart and pulls you into an achingly bittersweet mood. It's a classic that has captivated hardcore soul fans the world over. The synth solo that briefly surfaces toward the end is another highlight. With every previous reissue commanding premium prices, this official 7-inch repress from Athens Of The North is very welcome indeed.
(Original Japanese text by COMPUMA)
After the birth of his child, Ben White stepped away from the music scene, leaving this single as his only solo recording — a 7-inch brimming with his remarkable talent. The A-side, the obscure disco/boogie funk cut "I Would Have To Be A Fool" (sample 1), is a cool number draped in that unmistakable early-'80s air, but it's the B-side, "Just Give Love A Try" (sample 2) — a warm, fresh, tender ballad sung with sentimental care and a lustrous falsetto — that really strikes the heart and pulls you into an achingly bittersweet mood. It's a classic that has captivated hardcore soul fans the world over. The synth solo that briefly surfaces toward the end is another highlight. With every previous reissue commanding premium prices, this official 7-inch repress from Athens Of The North is very welcome indeed. (Original Japanese text by COMPUMA)