Alice Clark 'Alice Clark'

When it comes to legendary albums, very few can match the cult status achieved on the international jazz and funk scene, by Alice Clark's eponymous album, recorded for Mainstream Records in 1972. The record which went unnoticed when it first came out has become one of the most sought-after albums ever since it became cult on the London jazz and funk scene in the late 80s. It is now being acknowledged as one of the best soul albums of all-times.

Recorded live over two days at the Record Plant studios in New York City, the album was produced by Bob Shad and arranged by Jazz veteran Ernie Wilkins with a big band setting. The music is a superb mix of jazz and soul blessed by Clark's superb singing and including two all-time favourites, "Don't You Care" and "Never Did I Stop Loving You" plus a selection of heart-wrenching songs beautifully sung by Clark.

Very little is known about Alice Clark and the legendary two-day session. All is known is she only ever recorded one album and passed away in the early 2000s. Wewantsounds together with Mia Apatow, Shad’s granddaughter delved into the Mainstream Records archives to try and solve the mystery of Alice Clark. They managed to find a treasure trove of original photos taken by famed jazz photographer Raymond Ross and patiently put the piece together tracking down Clark’s grandson Ace Clark and sound engineer in the process. The result lies in the beautiful 20p booklet featuring an introduction by Mia and her brother Judd Apatow together with the homage by Rubino and Ace Clark, notes by Marcus J Moore and last but not least a selection of superb photos that will tell the Alice Clark story for the first time and give a unique insight into the birth of this cult album paying tribute to one of the great unsung queen of Soul.

Tracklisting:
Side A
1. I Keep It Hid
2. Looking At Life
3. Don’t Wonder Why
4. Maybe This Time
5. Never Dit I Stop Loving You

Side B
6. Charms Of The Arms Of Love
7. Don’t You Care
8. It Takes Too Long To Learn To Live Alone
9. Hard Hard Promises
10. Hey Girl