Robert Parker / Julien Covey / The Anglos – Barefootin' / A Little Bit Hurt / Incense

Robert Parker / Julien Covey / The Anglos – Barefootin' / A Little Bit Hurt / Incense

A fantastic slice of vintage soul and R&B, this Robert Parker / Julien Covey / The Anglos – Barefootin' / A Little Bit Hurt / Incense 7" brings together three standout recordings from the 1960s. Issued in the UK on the Sue label in 1980, the release is part of Island Records' Plundering The Archives series and offers a compact selection of dancefloor-friendly soul with strong appeal to Northern Soul and mod collectors.

Opening with Robert Parker's “Barefootin'”, the record immediately delivers one of the great New Orleans soul and R&B grooves of the mid-1960s. Parker's infectious vocal and the song's irresistible rhythm helped make “Barefootin'” his signature recording, originally released in 1966 and subsequently embraced by generations of soul and R&B fans.

The B-side moves into two more highly collectable cuts. Julien Covey's “A Little Bit Hurt” was originally released in the UK by Island in 1967, backed with “Sweet Bacon”, and has since become particularly sought-after among fans of obscure British soul and Northern Soul.

Completing the trio is The Anglos' “Incense”, one of the great mysterious records of the mid-1960s. Originally issued in the US on Orbit in 1965, it subsequently appeared in the UK on labels including Brit and Fontana. The record became famous for its soulful vocal, which was frequently—and incorrectly—attributed to Steve Winwood. Research into the recording identifies The Anglos as an American group, with Joe Webster associated with the lead vocal, while Jimmy Miller was involved in the songwriting and production.

“Incense” also developed a strong reputation among collectors and DJs, receiving significant UK radio exposure in 1965 despite never becoming a conventional chart hit. Its mysterious history, distinctive vocal and hard-to-find original pressings have helped make it a genuine cult favourite among Northern Soul, mod and rare 1960s soul collectors.

For collectors, this release is an excellent example of the way Sue Records and Island Records mined their archives for classic and overlooked soul recordings. With Robert Parker's “Barefootin'”, Julien Covey's “A Little Bit Hurt” and The Anglos' legendary “Incense” all on one record, it makes an appealing addition to collections of Northern Soul, 1960s R&B, mod and vintage 7" vinyl.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Robert Parker – Barefootin'

Side B

1. Julien Covey – A Little Bit Hurt
2. The Anglos – Incense