Harvey Scales 'Trying To Survive'

From his early-’60s days as hip shaker Twistin’ Harvey to his late-’70s nights on the light up dance floor in search of a “Disco Lady,” Harvey Scales survived scrapes with the pop charts, bankrupt record companies, walk outs, sit ins, strikes, price hikes, lay offs, and under table payoffs over a 40 year career.

Compiled here for the first time are Scales’ Cuca and Magic Touch recordings, 27 slabs of cracker jack R&B, stomping northern soul, divorce-ridden deep soul, feverish funk, and hustling disco spread across 2 LPs and housed in a deluxe gatefold jacket.

Bill Dahl’s in depth notes document the entire sordid affair, with dozens of period photos and ephemeral bits illustrating the accompanying 20 page book. So necessary. 

Tracklisting:
Side A
1. Glamour Girl
2. (On The Street Of) New York City
3. Independency
4. I Want To Apologize
5. Ten Thousand Years
6. The Clock
7. Every Step Of The Way

Side B
1. Can’t Have Me
2. Love That One
3. Canadian Sunset
4. Midnight Til We Meet
5. Forever Crying
6. Outcast (Gypsy Girl)
7. Yesterday

Side C
1. Broadway Freeze
2. (It’s Too Good) Too Good To Be True
3. Trackdown
4. Get Down
5. Love-Itis
6. Don’t You Ever Let It End
7. Welcome Home

Side D
1. Trying To Survive
2. Bump Your Thang
3. Rock The World
4. Groove On Sexy Lady
5. Love Thief
6. Follow The Disco Crowd