THE WORLD’S RAREST RECORD

Frank Wilson’s legendary Motown 45, Do I Love You (Indeed I Do), is auctioned this month, with an expected sales price of over £25,000. John Reed reports

This would make it the world’s most valuable piece of vinyl – and certainly the highest sum paid for a finished record (as opposed to, say, an acetate). It accurately reflects the dedication of Northern soul collectors, as demand for 60s soul rarities have sent prices spiralling skywards in recent years.

But Do I Love You is much more than some obscure artefact. From those poignant opening bars, this song epitomises the very best in Northern soul, from its gliding beat to Wilson’s heart-rending tones. It’s now easy to find on a dozen or more CD compilations – and was even used to advertise KFC.

But the fact that only two copies of the original 7” on the Soul label have ever materialised has long made it the holy grail of Northern soul collecting. Add to this the fact that its story involves theft, bootlegging and record company shenanigans, and Do I Love You just might be the most exciting story in the history of rare vinyl. Its origins were humble. Back in the early-to-mid- 60s, Frank E Wilson was a budding producer/artist/singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles, working with various soul acts. In due course this led him to Detroit and Motown artists such as Brenda Holloway and Chris Clark, and he was about to embark on what he hoped might be a successful solo career …

by John Reed
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