THE NATURAL TRUTH UNRELEASED? 5-SONG EMBEE ACETATE 12" GOSPEL NORTHERN SOUL HEAR

$

54

PLEASE READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION FOR ALL THE DETAILS ON THIS ACETATE & THEN LISTEN TO THE CLIPS BELOW (please note that the clip includes a few segments from the song(s) listed in this auction)

THE RECORD/ACETATE

This is a single-sided 5-song 12" STEREO 33 1/3RPM metal Acetate on the pressing/mastering lab label of "DCT Recorders" with the address of 6414 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, California, 90028 - 213-461-2841". This Acetate features 5-songs as recorded by The Natural Truth, the songs noted on the glued-on label are: "Where Do We Go From Here", "What Good Is Life", "Oh! What A Magic Is Love", "Marriage Is Not A Game To Play" and "Happiness Now". There is no stamped or etched matrix number in the dead wax on either side. This Acetate comes in a yellow generic Audiodiscs paper sleeve.

The surface of the acetate shows no white or hazy residue and looks really to be in great shape. The labels are in NEAR MINT condition!

WHAT'S AN ACETATE?

Just a note for those unfamiliar with metal core acetates - these records are extra heavy from the center of the record being made of metal. These records are the first versions ever made from the master tapes (even before test pressings or promo copies and they do sound the best) for the purpose of feedback on the mix by those involved in the recording process and because they are the first pressed from the master tape, they sound the best and closest to what was captured in the studio at the time of mixing and mastering. These discs were expensive to make, so very few, if no more than a small handful are usually made and as you can imagine, these discs are quite RARE and sometimes the mixes can be different than the final release.

THE STORY

I have 8 different auctions up this week featuring the Acetates by Maureen Bailey and The Natural Truth. In this auction you'll find the 5-song 12" Acetate by The Natural Truth, that features their own versions of songs recorded by Maureen Bailey (separate auctions this week) of "What Good Is Life", "Oh! What A Magic Is Love" (alternately titled on her Acetates as "Make Some Magic In This Love") and "Marriage Is Not A Game To Play" (alternately titled on her Acetates as "Marriage Ain't A Game To Play"). On this 5-song 12" Acetate, The Natural Truth have 2 additional songs they recorded, that weren't in the collection of Acetates I have up for auction this week as recorded by Maureen Bailey, they are: "Where Do We Go From Here" and "Happiness Now".

The fact is, these sides use the same backing tracks for both the Maureen Bailey versions and the Natural Truth versions of "What Good Is Life", "Oh! What A Magic Is Love" (alternately titled on her Acetate as "Make Some Magic In This Love") and "Marriage Is Not A Game To Play" (alternately titled on her Acetate as "Marriage Ain't A Game To Play"), but with different lead vocals and certainly different mixes of the instruments between the Maureen Bailey and Natural Truth versions (see below for more details). This shows that for these different versions they didn't just sing over the backing tracks, and that each version got it's own fresh mix.

What I discovered is that Maureen Bailey was a songwriter and as you'll hear, a very talented singer, who after working for Motown for over a decade writing, arranging and producing for artists such as: Jermaine Jackson, The Fifth Dimension, Syreeta, Thelma Houston, George Benson and DeBarge, she started the Embee Record label. The Natural Truth appear to be a gospel-like soul group with co-lead male and female vocalists. Obviously, from Maureen Bailey's work with Motown and having access to some of the top session players, you'll certainly hear how tight these tracks are played. There's no sloppiness in these grooves and they certainly groove with the heart of true soul players!

I've done a fair amount of web research on these Acetates by Maureen Bailey and The Natural Truth, but I've had very little luck in discovering much info on them. I'm not sure if Maureen Bailey or The Natural Truth ever released an LP, so this may be the only way to find these tracks.

Now I can't say whether or not any of these Maureen Bailey or Natural Truth songs on these Acetates were ever released, but by what I was able to find they weren't, although the Maureen Bailey sides note Embee Records catalog numbers (if you know differently, please e-mail me).

MIX INFO ON "WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE" AND "HAPPINESS NOW"

The mix for "Happiness Now" from this 5-song, 12" Acetate by The Natural Truth has Piano and Drums mixed to the left side; Rhythm Guitar, smooth Jazzy Guitar Licks throughout and what sounds like very occasional Trombone licks mixed to the Right side, and the Bass and Background Vocals mixed to Both Sides.

The mix for "Where Do We Go From Here" from this 5-song, 12" Acetate by The Natural Truth has Organ, Piano and Drums mixed to the left side; Smooth Jazzy Guitar Licks throughout, Brass and Flute mixed to the Right side, and the Bass and Background Vocals mixed to Both Sides.

IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE MAUREEN BAILEY & NATURAL TRUTH ACETATES I HAVE UP FOR AUCTION THIS WEEK?

"What Good Is Life"

On the Natural Truth's 12" 5-song Acetate it features a female lead vocal and uses the same backing tracks as on the Maureen Bailey version (separate auction this week), but you'll find the Piano, Drums and Background Vocals are mixed to the left side (PLEASE NOTE: the Background Vocals start 7 seconds in and showing the addition of male vocals not heard on the Maureen Bailey version) and the Guitar and Brass are mixed to the right.

On the Maureen Bailey single-sided 10" Acetate (EM 708-A - separate auction this week) of the song "What Good Is Life" the Piano is mixed to the right side, with the Guitar and Brass mixed to the left side, and the Drums and Background Vocals are mixed into both sides (PLEASE NOTE: the Background Vocals start 45 seconds in), and on the double-sided Maureen Bailey 10" Acetate featuring "Marriage Ain't A Game To Play" b/w "What Good Is Life" (separate auction this week), uses the same exact mix found on the single-sided 10" Acetate (EM 708-A - separate auction this week) and has the addition of "Marriage Ain't A Game To Play".

The Maureen Bailey version has a tighter sound (little or no noticeable reverb) and the Natural Truth version has a bit more ambience (nicely applied reverb, not swimming in it). Other than that they both last around 2:38.

"Oh! What A Magic Is Love" (alternately titled on the Maureen Bailey Acetate as "Make Some Magic In This Love")

On the Natural Truth 5-song 12" Acetate featuring "Oh! What A Magic Is Love", it features a mix where the Piano and Drums are mixed to the left side, with the Rhythm Guitar, Background Vocals and Jazzy Lead Guitar (seriously, there's an AWESOME Jazzy Lead Guitar running throughout) mixed to the right side, and the Bass mixed into both sides. PLEASE NOTE: That on the Natural Truth 5-song 12" Acetate of "Oh! What A Magic Is Love" the male lead vocalist starts his lead vocal ad lib at 1 second in, and the Background Vocals that start at 9 seconds in.

Now on the double-sided Maureen Bailey 10" Acetate featuring "Pretty Music" and "Make Some Magic In This Love" ("EM 709-A/B" - separate auction this week), for "Make Some Magic In This Love" the mix features the Piano mixed to the right side, with the Rhythm Guitar and smooth Jazzy Lead Guitar (seriously, there's AWESOME Jazz Lead Guitar flourishes running throughout) mixed to the left side, and the Drums, Bass and Background Vocals mixed into both sides. PLEASE NOTE: That on this Acetate of "Make Some Magic In This Love" ("EM 709-A/B" - on the ID Sound Studios label) Maureen starts her lead vocal ad lib at 10 seconds in, just slightly behind the Background Vocals that start at 9 seconds in.

The Maureen Bailey version "Make Some Magic In This Love" has a tighter sound (little or no noticeable reverb) and the Natural Truth version of "Oh! What A Magic Is Love" has a bit more ambience (nicely applied reverb, not swimming in it). Other than that they both versions of "Make Some Magic In This Love/Oh! What A Magic Is Love" last around 3:20, even though The Natural Truth version was sped/pitched-up just slightly.

Now to throw your musical mind for a loop, Maureen Bailey did her version of the lyrics to "Make Some Magic In This Love" as I need my man vibe, and then the song was re-titled for The Natural Truth as "Oh! What A Magic Is Love" with an if people only reached out for love we'd all be so much better off vibe (see below under "Lyrical Differences").

"Marriage Is Not A Game To Play" (alternately titled on the Maureen bailey Acetate as "Marriage Ain't A Game To Play")

On the Natural Truth's 5-song 12" Acetate it features a swapped co-lead male/female vocals on "Marriage Is Not A Game To Play" (first verse male, second verse female, the male/female vocalists swapping every two lines during the bridge and for the last verse featuring swapped lines between the male and female co-leads) and uses the same backing tracks as on the Maureen Bailey versions that have been sped/pitched-up a little bit. On The Natural Truth's version of "Marriage Is Not A Game To Play" you'll find the Piano and Drums mixed to the left side, with the Guitar, Brass and the addition of some tastely, urgent Tamborine mixed to the right side, and the Background Vocals mixed into both sides (starting 7 seconds in and showing the addition of male vocals not in the Maureen Bailey version) are mixed to the left side and the Guitar and Brass are mixed to the right.

On the double-sided Maureen Bailey 10" Acetate featuring "Marriage Ain't A Game To Play" (EM 706-A) b/w "What Good Is Life" (handwritten, no catalog # - separate auction this week), it uses the same exact mix of "Marriage Ain't A Game To Play" found on the Double-sided 10" Acetate by Maureen Bailey (on EM 706-A/B with the flipside of "You Can't Run Away From Yesterday" -- separate auction this week) featuring the Piano mixed to the right side, with the Guitar and Brass mixed to the left side, and the Drums and Background Vocals mixed into both sides.

LAST THOUGHTS ON THESE ACETATES

Because I'm unaware of commercial releases of the songs on these Acetates, I can't say whether or not these Acetates feature different mixes, vocals or instruments than those that may have been released commercially. If there were any distinct differences amongst the Maureen Bailey and Natural Truth versions, I make mention of them under the section above.

GRADING ON THIS ACETATE

The vinyl on this Acetate is in very good plus condition and plays solidly, but with some typical clicks/pops here and there in light of the grading, which doesn't effect the enjoyment of this disc. There are some very distinct pops and clicks, but there are NO SKIPS AT ALL on my turntable. I didn't attempt any physical cleaning on these fragile Acetates, for fear of damage. If you wish to physically clean them or even import them into your computer to edit them to make them sound as pristine, I'll leave that up to you. You can hear sound samples of the side/song below, which is from the actual record in this auction, and you'll notice that I've given a few distinct samples from different sections of this acetate to give you an idea of condition, sound and mix. Please see the photos below to view the label condition. This is a really RARE & COOL Natural Truth/Acetate collectible, make sure you bid today!!!

I APOLOGIZE TO YOU ALL FOR THE INFORMATION OVERLOAD THAT YOU MAY EXPERIENCE WHILE READING THROUGH THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THESE 8 ACETATES BY MAUREEN BAILEY AND THE NATURAL TRUTH. MY OBJECTIVE WAS TO PROVIDE YOU AS MUCH DETAIL AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT YOU COULD CLEARLY UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EACH AUCTION/VERSION. IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS THAT REMAIN OR NEEDS CLARIFICATION, PLEASE MESSAGE ME VIA EBAY SO I CAN PROVIDE FURTHER DETAIL.

PLEASE NOTE: I have over 30 ACETATES and TEST PRESSINGS up for auction this week, along with a mixture of 100 or more 45's and LP's! With that said, please make sure you check them all out! If you win multiples, I'll combine them into one package to save you $$$ on S/H!!!

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE CLIP

WHAT GOOD IS LIFE CLIP

OH! WHAT A MAGIC IS LOVE CLIP

MARRIAGE IS NOT A GAME TO PLAY CLIP

HAPPINESS NOW CLIP

Buyer pre-pays the winning bid price and $6.00 Media Mail S/H for shipping in the good ol' USA (insurance extra if buyer feels necessary).  For winning bidders from Canada, buyer pre-pays the winning bid price and $12.00 USD International First Class S/H.  For winning bidders outside of the US and Canada, buyer pre-pays the winning bid price and $19.50 USD International First Class S/H.  For Multiple International wins, please wait for me to calculate the S/H before you make payment (see note below). For my International bidders, please note that the S/H amount quoted, is due to the additional weight necessary to keep this fragile item intact and without damage during shipping, by including extra carboard and packing materials.

(PLEASE NOTE: Although I will combine multiple wins into one package for all winning bidders, if there are any individual or combined multiple wins totaling $100.00 USD or more for INTERNATIONAL winning bidders, these will be shipped via Priority or Express Mail (whichever is cheaper) with insurance and shipping paid by the buyer for added security during shipment to protect against loss or damage of the item(s).)

I require payment to be made within 7 days (1 week) after the close of the auction, if on the 8th day following the close of the auction I haven't received your payment via PayPal, I will open an Unpaid Item Case.

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