SoulMusic Records and The Second Disc are readying a hot Salsoul summer with another new release from the classic dance label, following our recent Salsoul Orchestra and upcoming Loleatta Holloway box sets.  On August 23, we're proud to celebrate Philadelphia girl group First Choice with Love Having You Around: The Gold Mind Recordings (1977-1980).  This 4CD collection features expanded editions of the trio's three original albums for Salsoul's Gold Mind imprint, plus a specially-curated bonus disc featuring various remixes and reinventions of their timeless, floor-filling repertoire.

The Gold Mind triumvirate of bassist Ronnie Baker, guitarist Norman Harris, and drummer Earl Young traced their association with the girl group back to their earliest recordings for Stan Watson's Philly Groove label; Harris co-wrote, arranged and conducted First Choice's 1973 hit "Armed and Extremely Dangerous."  First Choice's 1977 Gold Mind debut Delusions featured the line-up of Rochelle Fleming, Annette Guest, and Ursula Herring.  The LP powerfully continued the sleek and irresistible sound First Choice developed on Philly Groove, propelled by Tom Moulton's mix of Norman Harris, Allan Felder, and Ron Tyson's sweet and lush "Doctor Love" (Billboard # 8 Dance/# 23 R&B/# 41 Pop).  (Shep Pettibone's later 1983 remix of the album's slinky "Let No Man Put Asunder," originally remixed in 1979 by Walter Gibbons, shot to # 13 Dance, as well.)

1979's Hold Your Horses, the second album in the new box set, welcomed Debbie Martin (late of Brenda and The Tabulations) in the place of Ursula Herring.  The new trio turned over much of the production to "Father of the 12-Inch Single" Tom Moulton-who had been involved with mixing First Choice from nearly the beginning-and his musical partner Thor Baldursson, who infused a Eurodisco-tinged flavor to First Choice's recordings such as the title track, a # 5 Dance/# 73 R&B chart entry.  Norman Harris delivered his trademark flair on "Love Thang" and "Double Cross" with Philly veterans Bobby Eli, Larry Washington, Keith Benson, T.J. Tindall, and Don Renaldo's Horns and Strings among the key players.  Both of Harris' productions were released as singles, too, with "Love Thang" reaching # 52 on the Dance chart and "Double Cross" making # 60.  The latter also "bubbled under" the Hot 100 at # 104.

Harris was back in the producer's chair for First Choice's appropriately-titled 1980 swansong Breakaway, overseeing four tracks while other Philly stalwarts were among the producers (Allan Felder, McKinley Jackson, Cary "Hippy" Gilbert, T.G. Conway, Melvin and Mervin Steals) and arrangers (John Usry, Jr., Jack Faith).  The title song by Harris and Ron Tyson, with its burbling keyboards, swirling strings, and insinuating groove peaked at # 80 Dance.

A selection of extended mixes has been added to each album, while the fourth disc, I Can Show You: Remixes and Reworks, offers 10 more key remixes of such favorites as "Love Thang," "Doctor Love," and "Let No Man Put Asunder." Walter Gibbons, David Morales, Denny Tenaglia, and The Basement Boys are among the DJs represented on this new collection.

This clamshell box set features a 28-page, full-color booklet designed by Roger Williams with photos, memorabilia, and four new essays including Craig Seymour's fresh interview with Rochelle Fleming; TSD's Joe Marchese's exploration of the group's ties to The Sound of Philadelphia; Tim Dillinger's look at First Choice's extraordinary legacy of remixes and contributions to the dance music landscape; and SoulMusic Records founder David Nathan's personal reflections of the period in which the group flourished.  Nick Robbins has remastered all of the audio.

Look for First Choice's Love Having You Around: The Gold Mind Recordings (1977-1980) on August 23 from Cherry Red, SoulMusic Records, and The Second Disc.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

First Choice, Love Having You Around: The Gold Mind Recordings (1977-1980) (SoulMusic/Second Disc SM4CR5216BX, 2024) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

CD 1: Delusions: Expanded Edition (Gold Mind LP GZS-7501, 1977)

1. Love (5:14)
2. Indian Giver (5:03)
3. Love Having You Around (6:45)
4. Gamble On Love (2:46)
5. Chances Go Around (5:52)
6. I Love You More Than Before (4:11)
7. Let No Man Put Asunder (4:22)
8. Do Me Again (3:45)
9. Jimmy "D" (2:50)

Bonus Tracks

10. Doctor Love (Original Tom Moulton Disco 12" Mix) (7:33) (Gold Mind 12-inch single 12G-4004, 1977)
11. Doctor Love (Original Shep Pettibone 12" Mix) (8:24) (Salsoul 12-inch single SG-419, 1983)
12. Let No Man Put Asunder (Original Shep Pettibone 12" Mix) (7:57) (Salsoul 12-inch single SG-397, 1983)
13. Let No Man Put Asunder (Original Frankie Knuckles 12" Mix) (7:34) (Salsoul 12-inch single SG-397, 1983)
14. Let No Man Put Asunder (Original Acapella Version) (4:15) (Salsoul 12-inch single SG-397, 1983)

CD 2: Hold Your Horses: Expanded Edition (Gold Mind LP GA-9502, 1979)

1. Let Me Down Easy (6:33)
2. Good Morning Midnight (3:55)
3. Great Expectations (5:31)
4. Hold Your Horses (5:45)
5. Love Thang (5:36)
6. Double Cross (6:56)

Bonus Tracks

7. Now That I've Thrown It All Away (3:38) (Gold Mind 12-inch single G7-4010, 1978)
8. Love Thang (12" Disco Mix) (7:53) (Gold Mind 12-inch single G7-4012, 1979)
9. Double Cross (Tom Moulton Remix) (10:02) (Salsoul 12-inch single SALSA 12 030, 2004)
10. Double Cross (12" Larry Levan Remix) (7:20) (from Larry Levan's Greatest Mixes Vol. 2, Salsoul LP SA 8533, 1980)
11. Love Thang (Original Acapella Version) (6:08) (Salsoul 12-inch single 20-6505-1, 2001)
12. Double Cross (Original Acapella Version) (4:35) (from The Salsoul Acapellas, Salsoul CD SALSACD013, 2004)

CD 3: Breakaway: Expanded Edition (Gold Mind LP GA-9505, 1980)

1. I'm the One (4:13)
2. Breakaway (5:49)
3. Sittin' Pretty (4:48)
4. A Happy Love Affair (4:41)
5. Pressure Point (5:54)
6. I Can Show You (Better Than I Can Tell You) (7:21)
7. Can't Take It With You (4:58)
8. House for Sale (3:30)

Bonus Tracks

9. Breakaway (12" Mix) (6:51) (Gold Mind 12-inch single GG-504, 1980)

CD 4: I Can Show You: Remixes and Reworks

1. Love Thang (David Morales Remix) (8:16) (Salsoul 12-inch single SPEC 1693, 1994)
2. Doctor Love (Basement Boys Respectful Club Mix) (8:33) (Salsoul digital release, 2017)
3. Let No Man Put Asunder (Walter Gibbons Disco Madness Mix) (4:36) (from Disco Madness, Salsoul LP SA 8518, 1979)
4. Pressure Point (Tony Humphries New Celcius Mix) (6:24) (from Synergy, Salsoul LP 5501-1, 1992)
5. Double Cross (Danny Tenaglia Swing Mix) (7:46) (from Synergy, Salsoul LP 5501-1, 1992)
6. Love Thang (Def Version) (7:15) (Vicious Muzik 12-inch single 1273-1, 1994)
7. I Can Show You (Better Than I Can Tell You) (Phonk D Edit) (6:17) (Salsoul 12-inch single SALSBMG21, 2018)
8. Love Having You Around (Late Night Tuff Guy Rework) (6:35) (Salsoul 12-inch single SALSBMG14, 2018)
9. Doctor Love (David's Jam) (11:53) (Salsoul 12-inch single 2573-1, 1993)
10. Love Thang (David's Original Version) (9:51) (Vicious Muzik 12-inch single 1273-1, 1994)