Bettye Crutcher - Long As You Love Me 1974 Enterprise lp RARE Groove Soul Funk

$

30

Welcome to our Summer 2026 "Classic / Golden" era Soul/Funk/Rare Groove lp sale Part 2 (no modern reissues!) WE COMBINE SHIPPING! -(Just kindly wait till end of auction for invoice :)

90 lp's all originals , many have soundclips, which are from the actual record :)

This week is about classic Sweet Soul Funk dipping heavily into Cosmic Funk; P. Funk & family, Brick, Coalkitchen, Karen Pree, Undisputed Truth, among others..... Rare Groovers, heavy deep funk, harder to find clean OG staples, the rare, obscure, everything curated, by those that love the music, everything we have up, is something we truly dig, and we hope you find some dope ones :)
***We'd be honored if you'd consider saving us as a favorite seller :)***

* After this week's auction, (In no particular order) we have in the auction pipeline:
Classic Golden Era Soul Funk Part II, nearly 80+ lp's, top shelf stuff.....
2nd Modern Soul / Gospel / Boogie / AOR, Part "II"
More Deep Funk / Soul 45rpm 7", as well as AOR / Power Pop / Rock 45rpm 7"
A giant stash of rare Open Drum Breaks, emanating from a variety of groovy genres, the kind of lps both dope / under the radar sale!
A few more cooking, not to mention our exciting, anticipated:
Part 4 "Giant Jazz"; jazz funk, spiritual, fusion, synth jazz underground, etc. sale lp's

*^(Each are loaded with some of the rarest, high end stuff, plenty that haven't shown up in years, unknown mind-blowers, Grail Pieces, like always, all original editions!)



All soundclips used are unedited directly from the item up for sale :). See below for detailed grading!
***Everything is 100% guaranteed! We've sold over 1,500+ records in the past year alone, with 100% positive feedback, bid with confidence :)

Feel free to message any questions!

*Note: Any Item that does not have a soundclip, feel free to message us, and we can make one for you :) 

**Note: for items with multiple players, the title of track is above each player; the player enables scrolling through!**


Soundclip info: A2 "When We're Together", B5 "Sleepy People", A4 "A Little Bit More Won't Hurt", B4 "So Lonely Without You" -(Portishead "Numb" remix sample!), b5 begins at 1:03 , a4 begins at 3:31 , b4 begins at 5:00    
Soundclip:  Update your internet browser to latest version in order to play audio clip.

Media Grade:  NM (extremely crisp copy, looks / plays like a dream, *at moments I needed to adjust the input volume, so you will hear the "noise" of that for a second in the clips, but not in real life*, peep the soundclips!)  
Sleeve Grade:  VG+ (tiny bb-hole punches far left corner of front cover, and same latitude to far right corner, very light virtually imperceptible shelf wear, a very sharp copy, see photos!)
Year / Label / Catalogue #:   1974  /  Enterprise (Stax sub-label)  / ENS-7505 (1st Press, Stereo, "Bohannon - SON" in deadwax!) 
Brief Comments: The lone ultra rare soul release by longtime Stax songwriter Bettye Crutcher, beginning as the first female songwriter at the label after getting rejected by every other major label back in 1967, she forms one of the "We Three" trio at Stax along with Homer Banks, and Raymond Jackson (active since the 1969, countless records!), in an interesting way, she wrote "Who's Making Love", and Lou Donaldson's cover on his 1969 Blue Note "Hot Dog" jazz-funk album (sampled many times) is many an introduction to her.... supplying songs from everyone to Carla Thomas, Ann Pebbles, William Bell, Johnnie Taylor, The Bar-Kay's, Esther Marrow, Willie Mitchell, Otis Clay, the underrated Calvin Scott (his lp is insane!), Darrell Banks, Inez Foxx, The Soul Children, The Temprees, and many more.....
She knew the in's, and out's of the Memphis recording scene, she wrote or co-wrote every single track on this lp, and clearly Enterprise (as a sublabel of Stax) granted her complete freedom, given how many hits she had wrote for them (Billboard put a # in $ for 1970, the "We Three" writing team brought in $6 million dollars in 1970 money, at least $2 million logically resulted from her efforts in this trio), now a name you might know, in the similar way I knew, is Mack Rice or "Sir Mack Rice", in part from his lone Capitol release, a 1970 single 45rpm 7" "Three People In Love", deep funk / soul which was used in DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist's "Brain Freeze" mix. I also knew he had one private press lp from 1977 on the Spector Miami label, which was distributed by T.K. Henry Stone - (not Mack's lp, it was Spector's first lp, and Henry Stone having launched Blue Candle, didn't want it competing against his own artists for spot placement, so it was mainly sent to radio stations, Rice's hometown in Mississippi had deadstock up into the early 2000's). Mack Rice had also been a been since 1970 an in-house composer / writer for Stax, also in 1969 was a member of "Ollie & The Nightingales" as a singer, on their rare one-off release for Stax.... he wasn't credited officially, so he was able to do the Capitol 45 release, but quickly went back to Memphis when a job working with Rufus Thomas, The Staple Singers, others appeared (which in part is why that Capitol "Three People In Love" 45 is impossible to find, it was deleted overnight). 
Importantly Mack Rice had a good knack, and really respected Bettye Crutcher's writing, voice, he was the natural pick to co-produce along with Betty herself, and longtime Stax man Johnny Allen is on arranging. Both the Muscle Horns Rhythm Section, & Memphis Symphony Orchestra appear appear, to sublime layers of musician quality, and recall she wasn't new to the studio, to the musicians, to the process of an album, Crutcher & Rice working in tandem on these compositions (friends David Porter, fellow Stax writer/musician Ronnie Williams were given co-credits on "Call Me When All Else Fails" - a phrase Porter gave as advice, in a joking funny way, and as he was out the door, Crutcher put him down for a credit, Ronnie Williams - organist, writer, also respected Crutcher, had even shown her some things on the organ, so she wanted to put him down as well), there's a "Very Special Thanks To Bobby Womack" dedication on the back notes, the last line after Photography credit, our Ohio native soul legend was extremely encouraging to her, and had been suggesting to fellow industry friends in Memphis, they needed to make a Bettye Crutcher album, he was like an inspiring catalyst....(he had heard her voice, which she is sooo gifted, he just knew our creative, brilliant 1st Lady of Stax could make a masterpiece...), and it is no doubt, a masterpiece, from front to back. It's hard to compare it to anything else on the label, it sounds like Stax but seen from an entirely new angle you never knew existed for the first time.... She had written poetry since she was a child, the titles will not convey the depth, lyricism, gift for words, she possesses, and her delivery is magnificent, over some of the best Memphis music composition recorded ever. She had the benefit of intimately knowing the Dale Warren driven sound of 24 Karat Black's 1973 "Ghetto: Misfortune's Wealth" lp grail, of William Bell's early incredible work, Isaac Hayes, David Porter, also Willie Mitchell, Don Davis, Horace Ott, she was very much into Allen Toussaint who produced Lou Johnson's lp on Volt (Mack Rice, due to proximity in Mississippi, was heavily influenced by the New Orleans soul/funk of Toussaint, Marshall Seahorn, Professor Longhair, Cossimo Matassa, etc.). Johnny Allen was not only a great Stax arranger, but importantly he had sincere respect for Bettye Crutcher, and whereas others would have likely "gotten in the way, tried to make it their thing", Allen did his role perfectly, helping to bring this vision come to life (Bettye in another trio, with two others being men, one of whom had "Three People In Love" as a 45 single, what a unique coincidence!).
Cinematic would definitely be one of the biggest descriptive adjectives to use, very much "OST" vibes, there is an undercurrent like molasses of Psychedelic Soul, subtle deft touches that accent pieces (like "Sleepy People" the production, subtle but absolutely perfect!), in many ways it reminds me of a movie, or a story, but one where all the pieces are there, but the connections, permutations are left to the listener to weave into their own "music mind cinema", which is amazing, it can approached brand new each time, it contains deep reflective, wise insights on people, the human condition of the time, the real real feelings both happy and sad, sane and mad haha within love, it's not the kind of Soul/Funk lp you find this deeply woven, but where the lyrics and music are both just as important, each accenting the other (she was extremely inspired by 24 Karat Black, Dale Warren, this Ohio group, who recorded that masterpiece, coincidentally another Ohio soul legend, but not related to the label, Bobby Womack, helped in many ways get this ball rolling, but expounding her virtues to people in the industry!). 
It's easy to see why so many interesting, cool Trip-Hop samples (Portishead's "Numb Remix" 1994 B-Side only 12", uses "So Lonely Without You"), 9th Wonder - an absolute connoisseur of 70's funk/soul music, not to mention samples, has been one of the heavier beat-makers, utilizing several tracks spread out on several beats, but it seems other than some of these prolific notorious beat-diggers, due to the legitimate scarcity, very few overall has been used, and there's so much, not a 30 second interval goes by where you aren't just going full Large Professor "grabbed by the spirit". 
Overall there's not a weak track, in fact whatever track you think stands out the least, you'd be like "yeah, it's still top in terms of the genre", because it's a very intentional album by such a profoundly gifted, brilliant artist, poet, singer, Ms. Bettye Crutcher.... it would be her only solo release, a UK only single of album tracks "Sugar Daddy / Long As You Love Me" was released in 1975, none in the US. Bettye Crutcher had no intention of touring, she had gotten to make her masterpiece, and let the chips fall (everyone from Bobby Womack, Dale Warren of 24 Karat Black, William Bell, Johnnie Taylor, Isaac Hayes, Willie Mitchell, to James Brown, Henry Stone (who sent a card, offering work anytime for Crutcher, Rice, and Rice kind of did get a hook-up there for his album that just didn't have commercial potential at the time of 1977, but grail piece, amazing record!), Delaney & Bonnie, Freddie King, a really excited reaction from her friend - another gifted singer/songwriter in Memphis, Lou Bond whose s/t release on We Produce sublabel is just....sigh, I had one, miss it a lot, but know it's at a loving home!), people in the industry in general. It wasn't much of a success with the public, at least not the time, and was deleted from catalogue, but there's a sealed one at the Stax Museum - I wish at the gift shop...no on display! In years since, it's slowly but surely developed a cult following, the hardest part remains finding a copy, it's completely OOP, only a 2013 UK only CD reissue is out there..... Even the notoriously thorough Japanese diggers have missed this one, for genuine scarcity, but has a quiet devoted following there, I believe in 2027, 2028 there's strong possibility of a Japanese reissue.
Bettye Crutcher worked at Stax until the label folded in the 80's, and then she moved to Nashville, where she made incredible handmade Jewelery for sale, her aesthetics are so keen, a remarkable woman, single mother of 3 children, working as Nurse before Stax hired her in 1967....she passed away in Nashville, TN in 2022.... Well Bettye, anyone who listens to you, how can they not, but fall in love? So as your title goes on, see back cover, you'll always be alright, in our hearts, your soul a beacon of encouragement, inspiration that lives on in that next plane....
I can't begin to convey ^* or can I....(?), the genuine excitement, how moving, how much I've gotten out of this true gem, there's no frontin', no hype needed because we save that for hype stickers on the jackets yo; it's more like, I think because it has such a ... enchanting effect, it's been cherished, that's part of what I hope to carry through in these words, for what it's worth :D
Peep the soundclips :)




*Tariffs aren't going to impact used vinyl records / music media, we wish they were never in place at all, so for international buyers, don't worry on that account! **Note ^That is in regard to EXTRA ordinary tariffs for political reasons, if you are an international buyer we urge you to contact us prior to shipping for clarity!
For our record grading, we stand by the merits outlined in the scale below, anything VG or below will have a detailed explanation in brackets next to the grade.
For sleeves, we will mention anytime there is split, or defect not visible in the photos in brackets next to the grade, otherwise we refer to the photos for the merit of the grade. Of course any questions, concerns, are always welcome :) 
Our media grading scale is as follows: [*Quick note, our VPI is still in storage on the other side of the US, we do brush clean many  items carefully, but we have to prioritize, we won't leave anyone stranded with a filthy record, only "filthy" good! We don't factor dust particles into the grading]
NM = Essentially a pristine album, like new, rarely used.
EX = Under bright light if there is any scuffs or mark, which will be inaudible, most collectors and sellers would tend to consider it closer to NM, EX is also the grade others might call VG++ under the same level of conservative scrutiny.
VG+ = More then a small handful of scuffs, light marks, nothing feelable, will have high-gloss, a thoroughly enjoyable copy that may only have tiny moments of barely perceptible surface noise overpowered by the music. Our VG+ will satisfy the vast majority of collectors as a nice keeper copy, as collector's ourselves for nearly two decades, this grade is aimed to be a great keeper. Note if say the record has a light DNAP warp, but otherwise is NM, we will automatically put it to VG+ and detail that. Another scenario is if a copy plays at a solid EX, but visually is VG, the composite grade will be VG+, and detailed as such.
VG = More hairlines, more marks, maybe a few visible scratches, no more then two feelable scratches (which automatically lowers to VG-), there likely will be surface noise, but will play through, still being an enjoyable copy, the audio quality will satisfy most collector's (the golden rule: if it doesn't satisfy us, it won't be VG), if a record is otherwise EX, but has a slight momentary skip, where 99% of the record is EX, we will note that, and put it at VG. Usually will retain a nice gloss.
VG- = More Scratches than VG, surface noise will jump out more, it be overpowered for longer stretches, or compete with the music in places, it will likely play all the way through on most turntables, a copy that you can still get a decent play enjoyment from.
G+ = Lots of scratches, deeper ones, surface noise now mostly overpowers or competes with the music. It may skip in some places. We don't tend to sell G+ copies, unless the rarity is so great, and that will be precisely detailed.
Thrashed = Pretty much a "Theoretical Grade" for us, it be for all intents & purposes virtually unplayable, it would be for display purposes, or perhaps if you needed the cover but not the record. It's "theoretical" because so far we haven't sold or identified anything intended to sell at this bottom level.
Every item is guaranteed to YOUR satisfaction, no questions asked, 100% refund. We stand by our integrity, our goal is to make sure you are absolutely delighted with your purchase, to deliver a cherished album to your collection :). On the slightest chance of human error, if we make a mistake, we take accountability for that, we don't anyone to have a record they aren't happy with! Bid with confidence :)
If you have multiple items, please wait for us to combine shipping for you! We can combine up to 4 items for the standard shipping rate, and save you $ on additional items. We don't charge a single penny over what the shipping costs, so you are paying only the amount the postal service receives!
Default shipping is USPS media mail, USPS International mail. If you prefer a different carrier, or expedited shipping, please message us before payment, so we can set up the invoice for you :)
We have it set to 5 day shipping / handling time, as a just in case, typically about 98.7% of our orders are shipped out the day of payment (first day the post office is open), with the vast majority being the second day. We'll message on the extraordinary off-chance if doesn't go out on Tuesday (our auctions mostly ending on Saturdays, Sundays), with the reason and day it will go out, so far that's only happened once on a giant order, and all was well.
Thank you from EnfieldVinyl, a family business, and the auction venture of EnfieldRecords :)
Kindly,
-Alec :D
&
-Ellie :)