Albert Smith "TRUE SOUL Pt 1 & 2" on TRUE SOUL blues (Little Rock ARKANSAS) VG-

$

26

THEFLAPPINCAT
“TRUE SOUL”

Straight Outta
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
(EARLY SUMMER 2018
eBay Auction
of 45 Rarities)

SOME UNLISTED / UNCATALOGED!

ALL FUNKY & EXQUISITE
& VERY RARE!

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ABOUT THIS SPECIAL AUCTION:

The highly collectible, highly funky TRUE SOUL label operated out of Little Rock, Arkansas, from 1966 to the late 1980s. Founded and steered by a single Truly Soulful Visionary--LEE ANTHONY (Talent Scout, Owner, Producer, & Engineer)--TRUE SOUL STUDIOS, which was housed in the back of MR. ANTHONY’S SOUL BROTHERS RECORD STORE, resembled SUN STUDIO by running an “open-door policy” when it came to talent. And also like SUN, TRUE SOUL STUDIOS was a locale where “spontaneous things happened” (in the words of TRUE SOUL superstar THOMAS EAST).

Because of the unflagging excellence and exuberant spirit that we at FLAPPINCAT have heard on every TRUE SOUL record we’ve ever spun, TRUE SOUL happens to be our favorite record label of all-time. Bar none.

The set of very-hard-to-find TRUE SOUL 45s currently being offered here include a few that are even...IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND.

Why are TRUE SOUL gems so scarce?

First of all, being a private label few copies of each record were pressed. According to label owner LEE ANTHONY: “My biggest pressing in some cases was two hundred 45s!” (The exception was the perfectly titled regional hit, “FUNKY MUSIC” by THOMAS EAST, which was later re-released by MGM.)

Then, after the TRUE SOUL label shut down, a fire (caused by a tornado!) devastated the SOUL BROTHERS RECORD STORE, which held the studio and all remaining copies of TRUE SOUL stock that weren’t already in private hands. And those remaining copies went up in flames. So that’s why TRUE SOUL records, despite being ultra-funky and uniformly excellent, are seldom encountered or offered for sale.

IMPORTANT NOTE 1:
When we label a TRUE SOUL 45 as “unlisted” (or “uncataloged”) that means at the time of this auction (June 10, 2018), we could NOT find that record listed in any reputable discography. Specifically, we’ve checked the elaborate NowAgain reissue CDs of 2011 (re: the “TRUE SOUL: DEEP SOUNDS FROM THE LEFT OF STAX” comps--volumes 1 and 2). And all of these go-to online sources: Popsike, eBay, Discogs, MusicStack, and 45cat.

IMPORTANT NOTE 2:
It pains FLAPPINCAT to part with this small, but treasured, collection of TRUE SOUL funk 45s. But we do so for two reasons: 1. To help fund a new website of ours that will (in part) focus on neglected artists and music (like THOMAS EAST and the FAMED LAKE FAMILY and other TRUE SOUL GOSPEL FUNK!). And 2. to donate half the proceeds of this auction to LEE ANTHONY, the founder and genius behind TRUE SOUL, in hopes that the cash and good vibes we send his way will help him in his dream to reissue the FUNK GOSPEL 45s from the TRUE SOUL catalog. (The two NowAgain CD REISSUES: “TRUE SOUL: DEEP SOUNDS FROM THE LEFT OF STAX” were fantastic but completely secular. The gospel funk of TRUE SOUL is, arguably, even more adventurous and spirited than the secular cuts.

(To verify that FLAPPINCAT follows up on its pledge to donate half the proceeds of this TRUE SOUL / FLAPPINCAT auction to MR. ANTHONY, we welcome all viewers to e-mail us after this auction is finished for documentation.)

So...it ain’t easy for FLAPPINCAT to say adios to the TRUE SOUL vinyl masterpieces we once grasped in our paws. But the Website Project in question has sparked our passions and this is our best route to it.

What we hope now is that these beloved funk gems go to the most soulful homes imaginable.

Thank you!

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RECORD
DETAILS

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LABEL:
TRUE SOUL RECORDS (of LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS)

SIDE A:
“TRUE SOUL PT 1”

SIDE B:
“TRUE SOUL PT 2”

ARTIST:
ALBERT SMITH

WRITER & ARRANGER:
A. SMITH

PRODUCERS:
A. SMITH - L. ANTHONY

CONTENT:
“Rollicking mid-tempo blues instro. Shoulda been the theme song of a 1970s cop show. 

OUR GRADE: B+.”

***

CATALOG #:
TS 002 - A / TS 002 - B

MATRIX:
TS 002 - A / TS 002 - B

YEAR: UNKNOWN

ORIGINAL ISSUE OR REISSUE:
ORIGINAL!

CONDITION of SLEEVE:
NM. Generic.

CONDITION of LABEL:
GOOD. Smudges and wear on both side. Ringwear on both. In ink on Side A: “S-1-2.”

CONDITION of VINYL:
Looks G; plays VG-. Vinyl dull, misty. Plays with surface noise, mainly crackling at start and front of both sides--but minimal when song kicks in. NO skips. Both sides tested.

Listen to a sample of Side A here:

Listen to a sample of Side B here:

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FLAPPINCAT's

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HOUSE RULES
& GENERAL BUSINESS POLICIES
(Vinyl Record Edition)

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HOUSE RULE #1
ATTITUDE
In classic "Golden Rule" fashion, FLAPPINCAT will treat you, our eBay customer, just as we like to be treated when we buy on eBay (and we often do). In other words, FLAPPINCAT will treat you with respect and honesty.

HOUSE RULE #2
ACCURACY
FLAPPINCAT will clearly describe all items that we peddle as accurately as we can. We will not permit ourselves vagueness, gobbledygook, doubletalk, or stretchers in our descriptions. If we screw up, our error will be one made in good faith--not from an attempt to deceive with false language.

HOUSE RULE #3
CAREFUL PACKING
FLAPPINCAT considers the packing & shipping of the items to be an essential part of our business, not an afterthought or a burden. We understand that unless items are CAREFULLY protected, they can be ruined during shipment. So we take time and care to package things well and to ship them in sturdy--and well-taped--containers.

WARNING: If anything, we over-tape; you might need a letter-opener to open a FLAPPINCAT box.

HOUSE RULE #4
SPEED
FLAPPINCAT pledges to be prompt.

HOUSE RULE #5
GRATITUDE 
FLAPPINCAT takes to heart the truth that without you--without customers--we don't exist. It is really that simple. And FLAPPINCAT is sincerely grateful for your business--for your trust (!) in us--and though it may sound corny to some, our gratitude is genuine and it motivates our engagement with you.
 

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HOW WE
GRADE CONDITION
As long-time buyers of vinyl records, we 100% dislike it when the records we've bought online arrive in shabbier condition than they were described. In contrast, FLAPPINCAT will strive for accuracy, not hype, when describing the condition of the records we sell. The system that we rely on to inspect, and grade, vinyl records is called "THE GOLDMINE STANDARD." This system was devised, and refined, by the experts at GOLDMINE RECORDS (the leading journal for vinyl collectors) and is regarded as the go-to guide by the Record Collectors Guild and many (if not most) amateur and professional vinylists, including many eBay sellers.

“THE GOLDMINE STANDARD” 

Despite being condensed for readability (and having a few sentences re-written), the following GOLDMINE text has not had any of its meaning altered.

1. NEAR MINT (NM or M-). "A good description of a NM record is 'it looks like it just came from a retail store and it was opened for the first time.' In other words, it's nearly perfect.... NM records are shiny, with no visible defects.... (NM records don't have to be 'never played'; a record used on an excellent turntable can remain NM after many plays if the disc is properly cared for)."

2. [NOTE FROM FLAPPINCAT: A common variant that falls a tad below NM or M- and a tad above VG+--and so resides in-between those two--is VERY GOOD PLUS PLUS (VG++)--also known as EXCELLENT (EX). Both variants are commonly used on eBay and both are used interchangeably.]

3. VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+). "A good description of a VG+ record is 'except for a couple of minor things, this would be NEAR MINT.' Most collectors, especially those who want to play their records, will be happy with a VG+ record, especially if it is toward the high end of the grade (sometimes called VG++ or E+).

"VG+ records may show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. Minor signs of handling are OK, too, such as telltale marks around the center hole, but repeated playing has not misshapen the hole...."

4. VERY GOOD (VG). "Many of the imperfections found on a VG+ record are more obvious on a VG record.... VG records have more obvious flaws than their counterparts in better shape. They lack most of the original gloss found on factory-fresh records. Groove wear is evident on sight, as are light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail.

"When played, a VG record has surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially in soft passages and during a song's intro and ending. But the noise will not overpower the music otherwise."

5. [NOTE FROM FLAPPINCAT: VERY GOOD MINUS (VG-). Like VG++, VG- is considered an acceptable variant on eBay and is commonly used.]

6. GOOD (G) or GOOD PLUS (G+). “Good does not mean bad! The record still plays through without skipping, so it can serve as filler until something better comes along. But it has significant surface noise and groove wear, and the label is worn, with significant ring wear, heavy writing, or obvious damage caused by someone trying to remove tape or stickers and failing miserably...."

7. FAIR (F), POOR (P). "Records are cracked, impossibly warped, or skip and/or repeat when an attempt is made to play them." [NOTE FROM FLAPPINCAT: “The Goldmine Standard” makes no distinction between FAIR + POOR. Which is imprecise to us. That said, FLAPPINCAT has no plan to sell any POOR (or “FAIR”) records...though we gratefully pick them up if we can’t find a rare or important specimen in better condition.)

8. (SEALED) or (STILL SEALED). [NOTE FROM FLAPPINCAT: This means the record was SEALED in plastic by the original manufacturer--not re-sealed later on.]

COPYRIGHT: "THE GOLDMINE STANDARD" is: © Goldmine Magazine.

ADDITIONAL WAYS TO
VIEW CONDITION 

We agree that the judging and grading of condition can be very subjective. We will try, at least, to be accurate and clear about our own subjectivity--and consistent.

FLAPPINCAT will emphasize all discernible flaws in the records we put up for auction. That said, we accept that every so often we will fail to notice a flaw. When that happens, we will not be  defensive but will own up to our mistake.

Logically speaking, we will also fail to sometimes notice all the virtues of a record.

Though aiming for accuracy, our grading we will lean toward conservative over hyperbolic. A record we rate as "VG" might be called “VG+” or even “VG++” by another seller.

Rather than just slapping a GOLDMINE grades (“VG,” “VG+,” etc.) onto a record without explanation, we usually offer details about why we’ve decided on each grade. These extra specifics--some of which can be exhaustive and/or exhausting--can be found under “RECORD DETAILS” in every listing we put up.

Many sellers give one overall grade to a record they are selling. But FLAPPINCAT separately grades: 1. a vinyl record’s “PAPER” qualities (cover, sleeve, label) and 2. the “VINYL” itself (both the appearance of the vinyl and the sound-quality of the vinyl). These separate grades can be found under “RECORD DETAILS” in every listing we put up and we hope this extra info helps, rather than confuses, you.

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HOW WE
JUDGE CONTENT
Louis Armstrong famously said: “There is two kinds of music, the good, and the bad.” 

If you read our opinions about the records we are auctioning, you might think our problem is that we overpraise music.

Which is ironic because people who know say we are TOO critical.

There’s a reason for this discrepancy: For around thirty years, we’ve been feverishly collecting records. The records that we’ve held onto the longest--which happen to be the ones that we are now auctioning--endured with us because they are records that we’ve loved the most.

We know that constant praise risks sounding like insincere sales patter, but we are willing to risk it in order to be faithful to the charms of the vinyl darlings who we now, sadly (and sometimes painfully) part with.

Yes, of course, we still have bad stuff in our collection--but that’s not the stuff we are selling here!

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FREE SHIPPING IN THE USA

FREE SHIPPING: FLAPPINCAT now offers free shipping (unless otherwise noted) on all purchases of vinyl records that are to be shipped within the United States.

METHOD OF SHIPPING: Within the United States, we ship all records (for free!) via "media mail."

EXPEDITED SHIPPING: In the United States, expedited shipping can be purchased by the buyer if done so in advance of our processing, or shipping, of your order.

EXCEPTIONS: Any exceptions to our policy of shipping for free in the United States will be noted in the department that eBay calls "Shipping" and which appears onscreen with every item we list on eBay.)

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING

DO WE SHIP RECORDS INTERNATIONALLY?
We currently ship (via “USPS FIRST CLASS MAIL INTERNATIONAL”) to four areas outside the USA: UNITED KINGDOM, CANADA, NEW ZEALAND, and AUSTRALIA.

No disrespect meant to other countries! We hope to expand our global range as soon as we are able to iron-out some complexities about international shipping that currently baffle us.

COST OF INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING

To our international buyers in the UNITED KINGDOM, CANADA, NEW ZEALAND, and AUSTRALIA, we operate this service througheBay’s “CALCULATED” shipping program in which, “Shipping costs are automatically calculated for your buyer based on package weight and dimensions, and on the buyer's location.”

IMPORTANT NOTE 1: We do NOT charge a “handling” fee to international buyers. You will be charged precisely what shipping costs us--not a cent more.

IMPORTANT NOTE 2: We combine shipping on all international orders to the UNITED KINGDOM, CANADA, NEW ZEALAND, and AUSTRALIA.

After your first vinyl purchase, each additional record that you buy (in the same auction) can be shipped in the same package at a cost of $1.00 per record until the package reaches four pounds [4 lbs.], at which point a new package must be started--under the same terms with regards to cost and weight as the initial package.

HOW WE PACK & SHIP
Every item that FLAPPINCAT ships to you will be wrapped and packaged a) attentively and b) carefully within c) a sturdy container. We understand that...vinyl records are fragile! (Even books can be damaged if not packaged well.) If anything, we over-pack and over-tape. NOTE: While we often recycle shipping materials, we do NOT stint on protection, as you will see.

WHAT ELSE CAN
FLAPPINCAT SAY?
Jeepers! Haven't we said enough? Well, the one thing we don't mind repeating is our core belief. Our core belief: We at FLAPPINCAT think­--and feel­­--that it is both natural and civilized to treat you--our honorable eBay customer--and, oh yeah, fellow human being--as respectfully and fairly, and even as fondly as we ourselves like to be treated. So we will!

With gratitude, your online pal,

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FlappinCat