Harlem Spirit Discography

(Part of the Rush Collector Resources)

© Dave Weller, 2006 - last updated 19^th November

The Cyprus Tavern was a mecca for students in Manchester in the early 80s. Cheap entry, cheap drinks, a bit of a dive, and great music. This is where I first heard “Dem A Sus” by a local reggae band called Harlem Spirit. Tracking down a copy proved a bit of a challenge and although it had been pressed as a single by EMI there were vague rumours that because of the subject matter (the infamous ‘sus’ laws) it never had a full release. I eventually persuaded the DJ to record it on a tape for me. What happened to this tape over the last 20 years is anyone’s guess, but I did come across the album “Sussed” in my collection recently and this prompted me to try and track down the rest of the band’s records. So, this page is an attempt to document all known releases by Harlem Spirit. If you come across anything not listed here then be sure to e-mail me using david 'at' wellers 'dot' demon 'dot' co 'dot' uk, and let me know (preferably including a scan).

Singles

Dem A Sus (In The Moss)

Tracks: Dem A Sus (In The Moss), Make You Mine 7", Central Sound Studios, CSS005, 1980, UK Notes: This was the original issue of the “Dem A Sus” single, recorded at Central Sound Studios in Manchester in the summer of 1979, and pressed and distributed independently.

Dem A Sus (In The Moss)

Tracks: Dem A Sus (In The Moss), Make You Mine 7", EMI, EMI 5125, 1980, UK Notes: At some point in 1980, Harlem Spirit got a distribution deal with EMI who then re-issued the “Dem A Sus” single in November of that year. This version of ‘Dem A Sus’ is the original one recorded at Central Sound Studio. The promo version below is edited, and a re-recorded version appears on the “Sussed” LP. This song also appears on a 3CD sampler produced for the 2001 Popkomm music show by the Association of Independent Music and Manchester Music.

Dem A Sus (In The Moss) - Promo

Tracks: Dem A Sus (In The Moss), Dem A Sus (In The Moss) 7", EMI, EMI 5125DJ, 1980, UK Notes: Released in November 1980. The ‘A’ side of this single is a 2’54” edit and the ‘B’ side is a 2’44” edit.

Universal Man

Tracks: Universal Man, Money Maker 7", Limo, LIMO 7, 1982, UK Notes:. Released in March 1982

Universal Man

Tracks: Universal Man, Money Maker

12", Limo, LIMO 137, 1982, UK

Notes:. Released in May 1982

High Wire

Tracks: High Wire, The Game of Love 7", Revo, REV 008, 1982, UK Notes:. The track “High Wire” is the same as “Why Can’t We Be Lovers”

Why Can’t We Be Lovers

Tracks: Why Can’t We Be Lovers, Money Maker

7", MVM, MVM 008, 1983, UK

Notes:. Released in February 1983

How Sweet It Is

Tracks: How Sweet It Is, Universal Man 7", Fusion Records, FU 004, 1983, UK Notes:. Released in October 1983

Dancing Cheek To Cheek

Tracks: Dancing Cheek To Cheek, Follow The Sign For Peace 7", Fusion Records, FU 005, 1984, UK Notes:. Released in October 1984

Have A Good Time Tonight

Tracks: Have A Good Time Tonight, Chatty Chatty Man 12", Fusion Records, FU 006, 1988, UK Notes:. Released in January 1988

Dancing Cheek To Cheek

Tracks: Dancing Cheek To Cheek, ?

12", Fusion Records, FU 007, 198?, UK

Notes:. Existence unconfirmed

Albums

Sussed

Tracks (Side 1): Money Can’t Buy Life, Dancing Cheek To Cheek, How Sweet It Is, Why Can’t We Be Lovers, Get This Feeling

(Side 2): Universal Man, Have A Good Time, Mek We Rock, Sign For Peace, Dem A Sus

LP, Fusion Records, FU 001, 1986, UK

Notes: Released in April 1986

Fusion

Tracks: Rumours About You, Universal Man, Guilty For Loving You, Have A Good Time, I Cried (live), Natural Man, Chatty Chatty Man, Life Is Priceless, Dancing Cheek To Cheek, Rumours About You (dub), Jungle Reggae Rock, Dem A Sus (In The Moss), Run Around Boy CD, Fusion Records, FUCD 001, 1997, UK Notes:

Sessions

Late Night From Two

Tracks: Universal Man

Notes: This session was broadcast by Granada TV on 16^th March 1982. The programme, ‘Late Night From Two’ also featured Linton Kwesi Johnson, John Cooper Clarke and Arthur Marshall. A copy of the broadcast is retained in the Granada archive. Harlem Spirit appear at the end of the programme.

Janice Long Session

Tracks: Love Is The Game, Universal Man, Why Can’t We Be Lovers, Mek We Rock

Notes: This session was recorded on the 24^th January 1983 and broadcast on the Janice Long show on Radio One on the 29^th January. Enquiries to the National Sound Archive suggest that the BBC have not retained a copy of this recording.

In The Press

Sounds, 18^th April 1981, p.43 – concert review by Mick Middles

“Moss Side, like Notting Hill or Handsworth, will occasionally explode into passionate dance. Harlem Spirit are the spirit of Moss Side in those rare moments of rhythmic beauty. I’m not being melodramatic either, this is a joyful sound.
”This band are fusion and that’s a capital F. At times they can be a blend of clichés, but elsewhere they are the tightest, happiest noise in a solemn town. Professionalism helps them communicate and helps you slide into their feel. The gig is an experience. A rarity, like the lovely music of Linx on Top Of The Pops. Oh yes, Harlem Spirit are a much needed oasis in this desert of mediocrity, despite their uninspired moniker.
Harlem Spirit begin with a solid chunky funk punctuated by vibrating jazzy sax. A six piece? Seven piece? I lose count, my attention captivated by the movements of the energetic singer. The polytechnic is duly packed. Mostly though, they are a multi racial crowd of local Moss Siders paying homage. There is warmth in abundance and dancing… lively, almost ecstatic. The gig continues, slows down. Harlem Spirit are now an echoey sixties style Atlantic soul outfit. Only the sax reminds us of the eighties. Carefully, cleverly, the band turn an ‘I Can’t Turn You Loose’ feel into a relaxing albeit corny (but quaintly corny) ‘Try A Little Tenderness’ smooch. The gig stops. The singer announces the arrival of the band’s own brand of Moss Side reggae. The crowd, more knowing than I, rush to the stage front and a swiftly diving bass leads into a reggae performance that would pump volumes of healthy blood into the head Eric Fuller. The dancers sink and rise with every guitar slash.
”It’s a reggae revolution, Moss Side reggae that everybody can understand,” shouts the now ecstatic singer who, incidentally, places the emphasis strongly on the word everybody.
”Thanks, I’m welcome and I’m enjoying each stimulating bass inspired second. The reggae rolls onward, tinges of dub (as dub as live music can get) flash from the bouncing musical nucleus.
”Harlem Spirit must be seen. Manchester contains too many unknown pleasures (like our superb but unseen jazz-funk scene) hiding behind the shadows of media-drunk hip groups like Factory. The underground is about to surface. I’m going mining”.

N.M.E., 17^th October 1981, p.46 – concert review by Mike O’Brien

“At about this time last year, the single ‘Dem A Sus In the Moss’ (“The Moss”, for the benefit of non-Mancunians, being Moss Side) first brought Harlem Spirit to the attention of the cognoscenti up here. Since then they’ve appeared on Granada TV, signed a distribution deal with EMI, figured prominently at the recent CND carnival in Alexander Park and consolidated an ardent North-West following.

“It’s the way in which they effortlessly absorb reggae and funk, with an obvious affection for both, that is proving an irresistible live attraction. Throughout tonight’s set the quality of the songwriting never flags, suggesting that with a sympathetic producer at the controls this band could make somebody a lovely album.
”By this time next the likes of the Naughty Boys, good fun though they are, will still be treading the boards of the limited NW circuit, but I’ll be greatly surprised if the a band as good as Harlem Spirit are doing the same. Somewhere out there is a fairy godmother waiting to take this band in hand, get them into dreader threads and into the charts and hearts everywhere”.

N.M.E., 28^th April 1984, p.20 – review of “Dancing Cheek To Cheek” by Gavin Martin

“Oozing a Lovers Rock lilt and founded on a rich ballad base, this has a warm lazy feel and an insidious glow lurking beneath pellucid harmonies and the woozy, suggestive sax. Ideal for an evening by the fire or a park bench at sunset with your best girl or boy”.

Sources

Much of the information contained is based on my own personal collection. Additional information was obtained from the following sources:

The release dates were obtained from the Music Master database via SearchRED

The details of the Janice Long session came from the book "In Session Tonight" by Ken Garner, first published in 1993.

<Ends>