Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Various Artists - Hey Love (Vol. 1 and 2)



This collection of great R&B hits from the late '60s/early '70s is probably known more for its now-classic 1970s television commercial and its immortal closing line, "No, my brother - you have to buy your own!" Here's the ad, just in case you don't remember it:



I probably saw this TV commercial scores of times in the late '70s and early '80s, when they were running it at practically every late-night ad break on UHF stations like WLVI (Channel 56) in Boston and WBFF (Channel 45) in Baltimore. A weird combination of late Seventies cheesiness and slickness, this ad is a bonafide masterpiece.

The Hey Love compilation was released by a company called Onyx Communications out of New York City (according to the commercial, in partnership with "Hey Love Productions") sometime in either 1977 or 1978 - documentation is pretty scarce for this release. Back then, you could only order the album on either vinyl or cassette, via the standard shady-looking P.O. address in some jerkwater town most people had never heard of. Onyx Communications was obviously just the middleman in this deal, and apparently the release of Hey Love was the high point for this company - on a whim, I looked up company information on this firm, and only came up with the following:
"Onyx Communications Inc is a private company categorized under Communications and located in New York, NY. Current estimates show this company has an annual revenue of less than $500,000 and employs a staff of approximately 1 to 4."
Looks like they had to let a few people go over the years. Shoulda hung on to some of that mail order record money . . .

Anyway, after a few years, the ads disappeared from the airwaves, and the albums became unavailable. However, in 2001, Time-Life Music acquired the license, and reissued Hey Love on two CDs. For all the jokes about the corniness and stilted dialogue of the commercial, that doesn't take away from the fact that this is an outstanding soul/R&B compilation. These discs focus on a narrow time period, approximately from 1966 to 1973, ostensibly the heyday of American soul music. Every one of the forty songs on Hey Love were Top 40 R&B hits during this period, with many of them crossing over and becoming mainstream hits as well.

These are the kind of songs I remember my folks listening to, way back when. My dad used to have stacks of 45rpm records in the cabinet of his Telefunken, and if company came over or if the mood struck him, he would spin record after record on the stereo turntable - memorable stuff like The Stylistics' "Betcha By Golly, Wow", or "Have You Seen Her" and "Oh Girl" by The Chi-Lites, and "Me And Mrs. Jones" by the immortal Billy Paul. EVERY song contained on both volumes of Hey Love is a stone-cold classic.

If you know nothing about the late Sixties soul scene, these records are the perfect place to begin your education. "Not sold in any store, this exclusive TV offer is available only here!" So, pick up your copy of "the classic sounds of sexy soul", my brother - you can "get your own" right here! Enjoy:

Please use the email link below to contact me, and I will reply with the download link(s) ASAP:

Send Email

50 comments:

  1. some bad ass tracks on here man...than you very very much

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  2. You are most welcome, sir! Enjoy.

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  3. Thank you, thank you so much! I been looking everywhere for these albums! You are the best!

    I will surely subcribe to your awesome blog!

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  4. My wife bought this on LP years ago and it remains one of our favorite collections of classic soul we have ever heard. The curator of this material did a great job of selecting tracks that combined to create a group of songs that creates a consistent atmosphere.

    It begs the question how did this style of music, sublimely emotive, brilliantly written and beautifully played ever disappear?

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  5. I hope this still works if so BOMB.com

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    1. It most certainly does - check your email!

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  6. Thank you for the fast re-up, much appreciated

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    1. "Re-up"? This post and these links were never down . . .

      Anyway, enjoy!

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  7. My niece and I want to THANK YOU for the link! I downloaded this a fews years back and my laptop went on to a better place and my music went along with it! Thankfully you are still here! Thank you again!

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  8. Thank you so much for this time travel back to my childhood!! I really appreciate it, cheers!!

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  9. Thanks for the download bruh...I been looking everywhere for this

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  10. Thanks for the download my friend!! Didn't think I would find these two albums ever again!!! Thank You!!!

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  11. Thanks for the links, I really appreciate it! Merry Christmas!

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  12. Any chance of a re-up on this collection? Thanks and all the best.

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    1. No need for a re-up…. Just click the "Send Email" link above, so I have an email address to send this to.

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  13. Having problems with trying to get your email address.

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  14. ok. I got it. Thanks. Email sent.

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  15. Thank you soooo much. This collection is so incredible.

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  16. Thank you sooooo very much!!! EXCELLENT Compilation for sure!!!! You ROCK!!!!! :)

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  17. I want say thank you For the link brother. Very much appreciated. S.G.

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  18. Thanks you for the great hits I appreciate it...

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  19. Thank you so much, my friend! You've definitely made for a wonderful weekend for me & mine! We're going to utilize every single record, s skips ������������ Thanks again!

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  20. Thank you so much I greatly appreciate your fast response you helped me out a great bunch. Have a Blessed Day

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  21. Thank you so much for the music. Due to the TV ads I laughed about this collection until I heard it - absolutely perfect snapshot of a sound and a time. Thanks again.

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  22. WOW! fast response, thank you so much! going straight to the ipod!

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    1. My pleasure! Enjoy, and let me know if you have any issues with this set! Happy holidays!

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  23. Hey man thanks a lot for the music! these are some really hard to find songs man.

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  24. Oh my goodness! Thank you to the moon and back. I remember seeing this commercial when I was a kid. Can you believe I called the 1-800# from the commercial inquiring as to whether or not these were still be sold. That is how desperate I was :) The man that answered the line not surprisingly knew nothing about the albums....lol !

    Thank you!!!

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    1. You actually CALLED the old number?!? I'm surprised it's still operational, much less the fact that someone answered at the end of the line! That's hysterical! Anyway, glad I could help you out, and I hope you'll pardon the delay in my sending these tunes your way! All the best to you, and your mom!

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  25. Enjoying the music!Thanks for the download links!

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  26. Thank you for the opportunity to once again listen to these 2 jewels. I bought these back in 91 when I was in high school but like some of us that lend them out to friends and never got them back..LOL. Once again thank you and God Bless you my friend. You've brought back many memories from back in the day.

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  27. My hard drive failed with a huge collection of music of all types. This compilation was one that was hard to find. How can I get this?

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  28. saw your website and would love to have hey love vol 1 & 2 please send

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    1. Sure thing - just select "Send email" above, so I have an email address to forward the link to!

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  29. MinisOnTheEdge said...
    Gosh!! Thank you So Much!! This is EXACTLY what I’ve been looking for! I had these CDs for years. As I was cleaning out my truck the other year, I found it stuck between a seat Broken đŸ˜± After searching online, I knew I’d never own it again seeing the prices it’s going for. Thank you so much and I’m posting about your blog to my friends! Wishing you a most Awesome day! - Tracy

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  30. I've wanted this for ages, and since it's rare as hens' teeth, I had pretty much given up hope of ever getting it. Thanks so much for sharing this, PPSH. You are bringing light into the world! - Scooter

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  31. I appreciate it. I've been looking for this

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  32. Oh my Brother! After so many decades, it was impossible for me to "buy my own"! Thanks so much for sharing this, you're providing a great gift to humanity! Stay well and thanks!! -Lee

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  33. Thank you I really appreciate this. I grew up on these songs you made my week Thank You!

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  34. Hey, HFM, do you still have links available for these two collections?

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    1. Sure do; send me another message with your email address; I won’t publish it, but I need it so I know where to send the links to. Thanks!

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    2. My Brother, thank-you for not making me find my own. I genuinely appreciate this.

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  35. I grew up with the commercial 😂 My mother had this collection on cassettes. I want to thank you for this. Awesome

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  36. great album, remember seeing this on House Party appreciate the links once again

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  37. Thank you again sir great to have it back in the collection again appreciate all your help. Vibing to good music

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