The Diplomats – Honest To Goodness – Minit 32006

An in-demand record at the moment, this is a proper uptempo piece of Northern Soul, it has a suggestion of latin with just a hint of R&B. In fact it sounds almost garage-like!

The Diplomats - Honest To Goodness - Minit 32006

The diplomats were a group from Washington DC who had a number of label changes and group line-ups. This is essentially the same group that put out “Cards On The Table” on the Arock label. Eventually they became the Skull Snaps.

I was fortunate enough to meet them when Ady Croasdell brought them down to “These Old Shoes” when they were across for a visit. Unfortunately I couldn’t play any of their records that night as I didn’t have this at the time and I’d sold my copy if “Cards On The Table” the week before – doh! They didn’t seem too bothered, in fact they were more interested in talking dirty to Jo.

Anyway, have a listen to it and see what you think:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

If you want to get hold of a copy, the book price is £85 and VG+ copies go on ebay for £40 – £50. However, Butch is now including it in his sets so I’m sure the price will only rise.

The Diplomats on eBay:

DIPLOMATS-LOVE AIN’T WHAT IT USED TO BE Rare Soul HEAR

US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Feb-05-2012 12:16:18 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

US $31.58 End Date: Sunday Feb-05-2012 14:39:33 PST Buy It Now for only: US $31.58 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $3.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Feb-05-2012 17:10:55 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Here’s the details of the group at the time they recorded this, they are taken from the knowledgeable Dave Rimmer’s excellent Soulfulkindamusic website:

The Diplomats (members Sam Culley, Ervin Waters, Bill Collier and Thomas Price)

Arock – I Really Love You
Arock – Forever
Arock – Don’t Ever Go
Arock – Walk With Me
(Above four tracks unissued until they appeared in the U. K. on a 2004 Kent CD “The Diplomats Greatest Recordings” CDKEND 232.)
Wand 174 – There’s Still A Tomorrow / So Far Away – 1965
Wand 195 – Love Ain’t What It Used To Be / I’ve Got A Feeling – 1965
Minit 32006 – Honest To Goodness / Don’t Bug Me – 1966

He has The Diplomats whole history on his site [here]. And as he mentions, those stalwarts at Kent records put out a CD called The Diplomats Greatest Recordings which is available on Amazon.