Pre-Order: Be My Friend / Is There Someone Else (Uk) - Ripple / Deep Velvet [7"]

Ripple's 'Be My Friend' was only ever an album track in the US (1973's eponymous GRC LP) and a single in Italy alone - now a sought-after DJ favourite finally getting a proper 7 release. A dramatic, up-tempo jazz-soul number with classy harmonies that plays as proto-disco. Flip side 'Is There Someone Else' is a harmony ballad by Detroit's Deep Velvet, recorded for GRC sister label Aware but left unreleased at the time. First issued on Kent's 2024 'Atlanta - Hotbed Of 70s Soul' CD; soul fans have been asking for a vinyl pressing of the superbly produced song ever since.