Friday, January 8, 2010

The BEAT MERCHANTS- So Fine


I've seen this single a few times over the years and always wondered what the deal was, considering the other side of the record is Freddie And The Dreamers' 'You Were Made For Me' (Freddie's second biggest US hit). Apparently this was how all the Tower copies were issued and internet sources claim The Beat Merchants taking the B-side was down to some kind of pressing mistake, but I'm not so sure since the "Introducing The..." legend seems to suggest a marketing ploy by Tower, though if it was one it was unique and quite unsuccessful considering The Beat Merchants never followed up on the exposure.
Whatever the story it's a stroke of luck, as an otherwise very rare record (the original UK issue bombed) is easily available and it's a stunning track. Like 'Pretty Face, The Beat Merchants first single, 'So Fine' is a stone cold classic. Raw British RnB pop following the Yardbirds into the stratosphere. One of the great bass intros leads into tight harmonies, wild harmonica and undulating rhythms, it almost defines a genre a year before most so called freakbeat records were recorded.
The BEAT MERCHANTS- So Fine

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

It's a great tune. Just found a mono mp3 copy online. Too bad I can't copy your file.

jack@rainbarrel.ca