Gangster Soul Harmony Volume 2
Released in 2005, Gangster Soul Harmony Volume 2 continued the mission of uncovering and preserving some of the finest rare soul, sweet soul, lowrider oldies, and deep soul recordings ever pressed on vinyl. Curated entirely from George Miller Jr.’s personal collection of original 45 RPM records, this second installment expanded the series by introducing listeners to an even wider range of overlooked artists, independent record labels, and regional soul recordings from across the United States.
Long before streaming services, social media, or online marketplaces made obscure music easier to discover, many of these recordings were known only within small circles of dedicated collectors, DJs, and soul enthusiasts. Gangster Soul Harmony helped introduce these forgotten recordings to a broader audience while preserving the integrity of the original releases and celebrating the artists, musicians, writers, and independent labels that created them.
Volume 2 showcases recordings from regional soul scenes including Georgia, Ohio, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Indiana, and beyond. The collection blends sought-after 45-only releases with overlooked LP recordings, creating a listening experience that captures the emotional depth and musical diversity of late-1960s and early-1970s soul music.
Track Listing
FROM ORIGINAL CD ARCHIVE
• Emory & The Dynamics – It Sure Would Be Nice (Peach Tree)
• Main Attraction – Keep On Walking (Violet)
• Si-Berians – Crying Baby Won’t Help The Hurt (Ricardo)
• Young Mods – I Can’t Hurt You Back (Ever Black)
• O’Jays – Stand In For Love (Imperial)
• Vanguards – Woman Come Home (Indie)
• Gifts – What Am I (Ballad)
• Diabolics – I Bet You Never Knew (Togetherness)
• Jazzi Cazzi & The Eight Sounds – Young Girl (Knaptown)
• JBC Band – Alone (Jeree)
• Jacqueline Wilson – Keep In Touch (Nitty Gritty)
• Bonnevilles – I’ll Be Right There (Now)
• Red Top & The Young Family – Barbara (Tri-City)
• Bobby Moore & The Fourmosts – It Was A Lie (D.W.)
• Vee Gees – It’s So Hard To Say So Long (Jump Off)
• Showmen – What Would It Take (Amy)
• Webs – It’s So Hard To Break A Habit (Popside)
• Intensions – Don’t Forget That I Love You (Phillips)
• Valentinos – Darling Darling Darling
• Unifics – Tables Turned (Kapp LP)
• Moments – Best Thing For Me (LP)
A Collector’s Perspective
Every song featured on Gangster Soul Harmony Volume 2 was chosen with one goal in mind: preserving exceptional soul music that deserved to be heard by a new generation of listeners. Rather than focusing on commercial chart success, this volume celebrates independent labels, regional recordings, and overlooked performances that have become highly respected among serious vinyl collectors.
The compilation reflects years of searching record stores, swap meets, private collections, and forgotten boxes of 45 RPM records. Many of these titles were extremely difficult to locate when this series was assembled, making each selection the result of years of collecting experience and musical research.
Today these recordings continue to inspire collectors, DJs, musicians, and rare soul enthusiasts throughout the world. Gangster Soul Harmony Volume 2 remains an important chapter in the preservation of rare soul, sweet soul, and lowrider oldies culture while honoring the original artists whose music continues to resonate decades after its initial release.
Whether you’re discovering these recordings for the first time or revisiting longtime favorites, this collection represents the passion, dedication, and historical appreciation that have defined the Gangster Soul Harmony series since its beginning.
Explore the complete Gangster Soul Harmony collection and experience the timeless sound of rare soul music preserved for future generations.
Curator’s Notes
When I assembled Gangster Soul Harmony Volume 2 in 2005, I challenged myself to go even deeper into the world of rare soul. I wasn’t chasing the records everyone already knew—I was searching for extraordinary performances that stopped me in my tracks. Powerful first tenor and falsetto leads, rich vocal harmonies, unforgettable melodies, and heartfelt productions became the foundation of this collection.
Many of these recordings weren’t discovered in record stores or flea markets. They came from years of building relationships with respected collectors throughout the Midwest and East Coast, who had spent decades preserving these incredible records. At the time, paying around $100 for a single sweet soul 45 was considered a serious investment. I never looked at it that way. I believed these recordings deserved to be preserved and shared with a wider audience.
Looking back today, many of the very records featured on Gangster Soul Harmony Volume 2 have become some of the most sought-after and valuable sweet soul 45s in the collecting community. Seeing these once-overlooked recordings earn the recognition they deserve has been incredibly rewarding.
More than twenty years later, I’m still proud of what this compilation represents. It wasn’t assembled to follow trends or commercial success—it was built from passion, curiosity, and a commitment to preserving remarkable soul music that might otherwise have remained hidden. I hope these recordings continue to inspire collectors, DJs, and soul music lovers for generations to come.
— George Miller Jr.
Creator & Curator, Gangster Soul Harmony