Daptone drops rare Relatives' gospel-psych gem on their Ever-Soul subsidiary

Relatives drummer Earnest Tarkington holds the limited version of Don't Let Me Fall.

Rev. Gean West had been leading Gospel groups for almost 20 years when he formed The Relatives in 1970. While dedicated to spreading The Word, the new band had what West called a "street sound" in keeping with the increasingly funky music of black America. Two younger members of The Relatives, Rev. West's brother Tommie and guitarist Charles Ray Mitchell, we're very much under the influence of Eddie Hazel and Funkadelic when they cut the psychedelic gospel burner, "Don't Let Me Fall."  Self-released as a tiny batch of 45's in the early 1970's – and nearly impossible to find today outside of The Relatives' Don't Let Me Fall album reissue from 2009 on Heavy Light Records – this is the first time the song "Don't Let Me Fall" has been reissued on 7-inch.

In 1975, The Relatives went into the studio of legendary Texas engineer Phil York with a reinvigorated line-up and a new set of songs. From this inspired recording session came "Leave Something Worthwhile." Featuring a powerful group vocal soaring over Earnest Tarkington's funky drums and Zebbie Thomas' guitar licks, it's hard to believe this track sat unreleased for over 30 years. After years of requests that "Worthwhile" be pressed as a 45,  Ever-Soul is proud to release it for the first time on 7-inch which you can mailorder from the Daptone online store right here.

Note: The limited edition lime green version is now sold out.