Crisp Detroit Soul from The Magic Tones

The Magic Tones “Lets Let Our Love Roll On” (Mah’s Records, 1968)

This track can be found on the “Singles Mixer Vol. 2” podcast.

Nothing to help brighten a pretty dark New England Fall day than a little bit of mid-tempo upbeat Detroit soul.  Today’s cold rain and monochrome grey sky is no challenge for this shimmering bit of beauty brought to us by the Magic Tones.

Released in 1968 on Mike Hank’s label Mah’s Records this 45 was well received and got some decent distribution through Ric Tic before they folded up their operation in the buyout with Motown.  The Magic Tones were actually the reason that Hank re-started the Mah’s label which was active mostly in the early part of the decade in a string of labels that Hanks operated/produced/wrote for included but not limited to D-Town, Wheelsville, Wheel City and an association with a number of other small Detroit labels (including Soul, before it was bought by Motown).

The Magic Tones had been working with Hank as session musicians doing back up vocals and evidently had his faith to revive the Mah’s label to release the hit “Together, We Shall Overcome.”  A massive hit that was recorded days before Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated and rushed to press selling over 100,000 copies in a short couple of weeks.   It was on the success of that release that two more Magic Tones 45s, including the beautiful piece of music you’re hearing today, were released.

Shortly after this record, with the distribution deal with Ric Tic over, The Magic Tones moved over to Westbound where they made some records with Calvin “Doc” Stephenson later leaving to become a member of The Undisputed Truth.

For all you beat diggers, this track starts with a totally open break with, unusually, a very clean acoustic guitar accompaniment.  It also is worth noting it’s quite clear that Hanks had 10 years in the studio behind him because this song is IMPECCABLY produced.  An acoustic guitar lead with a horn section?  You got it!  Super crisp drums with a little percussion sprinkle?  No problemo.  How about three back up singers behind that lead?  Easy!  Really wonderful stuff.

Hope you enjoy!