About Product Images
This image is a general representation of the item and the actual product may differ slightly in terms of color shading, logo placement, borders, or other small details. Used items may have various cosmetic differences as well.![Enlarge](javascript:show_product_image("https://cdn1.dustygroove.org/images/products/c/clay_otis~~_onlywayis_101b.jpg"); "View larger image")
Only Way Is Up
LP (Item 542545) Blues R&B, 1982 — Condition: Near Mint-$24.99 ...
LP, Vinyl record album
Originally: 29.99
Later work from Otis Clay, but also one of his greatest albums ever! The record features him with some fuller arrangements than usual – in less of a bluesy mode than during the Hi years, with a smooth sound that really brings out a whole new side of his style. The set was recorded in Chicago for the Japanese market – and the arrangements are by Benjamin Wright, Bill McFarland, and Clay himself. Includes the massive groover "The Only Way Is Up", an anthemic modern dancefloor number that later yielded a bit hit for Yazz – plus the tracks "Cheatin In The Next Room", "All I Need Is You", "Special Kind Of Love", "Messin With My Mind", "Turn Back The Hands Of Time", and "Check It Out". © 1996-2024, Dusty Groove, Inc.
(Japanese pressing, on Victor, with insert! Cover has a small bit of tape on top seam, but rest is nice.)
(Japanese pressing, on Victor, with insert! Cover has a small bit of tape on top seam, but rest is nice.)
Near Mint - (minus)
- Black vinyl that may show a slight amount of dust or dirt.
- Should still be very shiny under a light, even with slight amount of dust on surface.
- One or two small marks that would make an otherwise near perfect record slightly less so. These marks cannot be too deep, and should only be surface marks that won't affect play, but might detract from the looks.
- May have some flaws and discoloration in the vinyl, but only those that would be intrinsic to the pressing. These should disappear when the record is tilted under the light, and will only show up when looking straight at the record. (Buddah and ABC pressings from the 70's are a good example of this.)
- May have some slight marks from aging of the paper sleeve on the vinyl.
- Possible minor surface noise when played.
Additional Marks & Notes
If something is noteworthy, we try to note it in the comments — especially if it is an oddity that is the only wrong thing about the record. This might include, but isn't limited to, warped records, tracks that skip, cover damage or wear as noted above, or strictly cosmetic flaws.
You might be interested
Otis Clay
Live – Otis ClayVictor (Japan), 1978. Near Mint- 2LP
A rare live set from Otis Clay – much more obscure than his later Japanese album that circulated in the 80s – and captured at a time when Otis was coming off his famous stretch at Hi Records! The set features great small combo backing by an American group – and titles include ... LP, Vinyl record album
Otis Clay
Live AgainYupiteru (Japan), 1984. Near Mint- 2LP Gatefold
Otis Clay recorded live in Japan – working before a very appreciative audience, and hitting grooves that are right up there with his best 70s work on Hi Records! The sound is a bit looser than Hi – which is a nice change – and Clay's really in command on the set, leading the ... LP, Vinyl record album
Aretha Franklin
Sparkle – Music from the Original Motion PictureAtlantic, 1976. Very Good+
A classic 70s soul soundtrack – and a dream of a combination! Curtis Mayfield wrote the soundtrack and produced the album – and the result is a killer batch of 70s soul tracks that matches Aretha's strong vocals with the hip Curtom sound of Chicago! Aretha was still doing pretty well ... LP, Vinyl record album
Rotary Connection
Rotary ConnectionCadet, 1967. Near Mint-
One of the best Rotary Connection albums for Cadet – with an incredible baroque spacey soul sound that still feels very fresh today! The group's vocals are especially eerie – and float around these wild arrangements by Charles Stepney, peppered with strings, soul, fuzzy guitars, and ... LP, Vinyl record album
Whispers
So GoodSolar, 1984. Near Mint-
Soaring uptempo soul from The Whispers – still going strong with the Solar sound well into the 80s – and stepping out here in a real hit-making style! The vocals are great, the grooves are solid – and there's a snapping, rhythmic feel to the first side – which is billed as ... LP, Vinyl record album
MFSB
MFSBPhiladelphia International, 1973. Very Good+
A seminal album by this legendary Philly instrumental group – essentially the house band at Sigma Studios, and an incredible ensemble filled with top-shelf musicians! The sound here is virtually the blueprint for Philly soul of the 70s – a blend of wickedly tight rhythms and fuller ... LP, Vinyl record album
OV Wright
Into Something (Can't Shake Loose)Hi Records, 1977. Very Good+
A stone killer from OV Wright – a record that's got all the raw, deeply soulful vocals we love in his early work – mixed with some wicked 70s Hi Records production from Willie Mitchell! Imagine an Al Green record, but with rawer vocals, and you've got a good idea of the feel of this ... LP, Vinyl record album
Whispers
This Kind Of LovinSolar, 1981. Very Good+
Not as sublime as some of the group's earlier efforts, but still with a strong harmony sound that keeps things moving nicely ahead. The arrangements are in a smooth soul mode – still uptempo on a number of tracks, in the same style that they were using with the Philly crew. The difference ... LP, Vinyl record album
Donald Byrd
Free FormBlue Note, 1966. Near Mint-
A landmark album for Donald Byrd – one that marks a key departure in his sound! Donald's really opening up on this one – picking up more of the soulful and the spiritual side of jazz, and moving from the hardbop and modern jazz of his late 50s years – no surprise, since he's ... LP, Vinyl record album
Hugo Montenegro
Neil's Diamonds – Fashioned By Hugo MontenegroRCA, 1973. Near Mint-
A weird and wonderful record – the early hits of Neil Diamond, played on the moog and ARP by the mighty Hugo Montenegro! The approach to the set is pretty darn cool – as it takes 10 of Neil's best early tunes, and runs them through arrangements by Montenegro that run from funky to ... LP, Vinyl record album
Rodney Franklin
You'll Never KnowColumbia, 1980. Very Good+
Fully-formed genius from the amazing Rodney Franklin – one of the best keyboard stars to emerge from the late 70s scene! Franklin's got a great talent for balancing influences from jazz and soul in ways that are similar to contemporaries George Duke and Bobby Lyle – and like both of ... LP, Vinyl record album
Columbia, 1965. Near Mint- 3LP Box Set
(360 Sound stereo Masterworks pressing with white text. Box has some surface wear and is slightly faded at the edges.) LP, Vinyl record album
