Bronc-Glows
"Charge" b/w "Sandman"
(Bull City Sounds 001; late-1960s)

In the late 1960s, this group of students at Fayetteville State University made the only release on Bull City Sounds, a label owned by Ervin Hester of WSRC-FM and attorney W.W. Perry.

Johnny White & The Mighty Crusaders Orchestra
"Physical, Healthy And Trim" b/w
"Physical, Healthy And Trim (Instrumental)"
(Valle-Dalle VD-175; late-1960s)

Possibly the only Durham soul recording with a flute solo, this funky R&B number is said to be Johnny White’s debut on vinyl.

Modulations
"Who's Going To Lose" b/w "Share Your Love"
(Mozel 101; early 1970s)

This early-1970s debut by the Modulations showcases a grittier sound than the subsequent hits that they made in Philadelphia. The Durham-based backing musicians included Butch Grady and Marion Wiggins.

Communicators & Black Experiences Band
"One Chance" b/w "Is It Funky Enough?"
(Duplex 1304; 1973)

This scintillating 1973 sweet soul debut by the Communicators was penned by their bass player Willie Hill and guitar player Willis Norman.

Modulations
"I'm Hopelessly In Love" b/w "What Good Am I"
(Buddah 398; 1973)

The first of several Modulations singles for Buddah Records in the mid-1970s. All of the group’s Buddah material was produced in Philadephia.

Communicators & Black Experiences Band
"One Chance" b/w "Is It Funky Enough"
(Turbo 037; 1973)

On the strength of sales of “One Chance” on the Duplex label, New Jersey’s Turbo company picked it up for national distribution in 1974.

Modulations
"I Can't Fight Your Love" b/w
"Your Love Has Me Locked Up"
(Buddah 418; 1974)

Communicators & Black Experiences Band
"Has Time Really Changed" b/w "The Road"
(Tri Oak TO 102; 1974)

Duralcha
"Jody Is Gone" b/w "Ghet-to Funk"
(Microtronics M1001; 1974)

The only ever vinyl release by Duracha (known at the time as Duralcha), this single showcases the band’s funk prowess. The Microtronics label was owned by E.W. McCuller who also put out 45s by the Communicators and Black Experience Band and the Shadows of Soul.

Soul Company
"Hump The Bump (Part 1)" b/w
"Hump The Bump (Part 2)"
(Jump Off 2001; 1974)

Before relocating to California, the Soul Company made this one 45 with the Greensboro imprint Jump Off in 1974.

Shadows Of Soul
"Shadow Of Soul (Part 1)" b/w
"Shadow Of Soul (Part 2)"
(Tri Oak TO103; 1974)

Presciently named — the membership of the Shadows of Soul is currently an unsolved mystery — this group recorded an eponymous cut for E.W. McCuller’s Tri Oak label in 1974.

Blue Steam
"Where Is She" b/w "I Want A Girl"
(Catamount 133; 1975)

Also issued under the name Formula 12

Modulations
"Worth Your Weight In Gold"
b/w "I'll Always Love You"
(Buddah 497; 1975)

The third of several Modulations singles for Buddah Records in the mid-1970s. The vocal group performed this track for their milestone 1976 appearance on Soul Train.

Johnny White & The Mighty Crusaders Orchestra
"Surely (Someone Needs Love)" b/w
"Surely (Someone Needs Love) (Instrumental)"
(Valle-Dalle VD-001; 1975)

Johnny White’s biggest commercial success with the Mighty Crusaders, “Surely” is a polished ballad that sold well in the region upon its release in 1975.

Positive Approach
"Squeeze That Dollar (Part 1)" b/w
"Squeeze That Dollar (Part 2)"
(Ju Ju J.J. 2451; 1975)

After a stint in Michigan with Junior Walker & the All Stars, bass player Larry Scurlock returned to Durham in the mid-1970s, founded The Positive Approach, and produced this socially-conscious funk single.

Black Experiences
"Shake What You Got" b/w "In The Dark"
(Microtronics M1002; 1976)

“Shake What You Got” headlines the only release made by the Black Experience Band after parting ways with the Communicators.

Johnny White & The Mighty Crusaders Orchestra
"I've Enjoyed" b/w "I've Enjoyed"
(Valledalle VAL 001; 1977)

The third of three Johnny White 45s for Valle-Dalle Records, a label owned by WSRC-FM DJ Chuck Harris, “I’ve Enjoyed” remains the least known despite its dance floor appeal.

N.C.C.U.
"Bull City Party" b/w "Sleepy Time Is Over"
(United Artists XW990; 1977)

"Bull City Party" was the lead single from Super Trick, the landmark United Artists album by New Central Connection Unlimited (N.C.C.U.).

Jim-Stick Revelation
"Night Of The Witch Doctor" b/w
"These Crazy Times"
(Bull Durham Dynasty BDD-0001-45; 1978)

N.C.C.U.
"Freak" b/w "Superstar"
(Saxony SR 101; late-1970s)

After recording Super Trick for United Artists, N.C.C.U. saxophone player Stanley Baird founded his own label Saxony Records and issued this, their last single, in the late 1970s.

Essence Of Truth
"Gator Time" b/w "Gator Time"
(Ju Ju IRC 1035; 1979)

From 1979, this lone single by the Essence of Truth is a remake of “Squeeze That Dollar” by the Positive Approach. Vernelle Mack and Larry Scurlock tailored the new vocals to the party goers at the fraternity houses that the band often played.

Faye Turner
"Love Bank" b/w "Watch The Beat Go Round"
(Central Power CP 239; 1979)

Wall Street
"Show Me Your Love" b/w "Let's Make Love"
(Nu-Tone 0090704; 1980)

Short-lived vocal group Wall Street released this fine sweet soul 45 in 1980, featuring the harmonies of Theodore Ashford, Ralph Green, Greg Hatcher, Leon Ragland, and Robert Yates. Band membership included Larry Blackley and Delaney McQuaig.

Risse
"Give It Up, Shake It Down" b/w "Let's Go For It"
(Chocolate Cholly's CC-0015; 1982)

The first and best of Risse’s two 1980s R&B boogie releases for Chocolate Cholly’s out of Gastonia, North Carolina, this 45 was a split release with the Roadway Band of South Carolina.

Stanley V. Baird
"Love Will Find A Way" b/w "Video Magic"
(Saxony U-14001; 1980s)

Nick Allen, Jr.
"I'm Burning Up" b/w "Need More Time" 12-inch (T.I.M.E. NA 9-82; 1982)

One Real Band
"For A Change" b/w "WDUR-Don't Stop"
(Budweiser Showdown BS1002; 1983)
B-side by Nick Allen, Jr.

One Real Band — an interracial group from Durham and Chapel Hill — won the chance to record “For A Change” after competing in a regional Budweiser-sponsored battle of bands. The single’s B-side is a WDUR-FM promotional track made by Larry “Nick” Allen.

Hill
"Slow-Walking With You" b/w
"Slow-Walking With You (Instrumental)"
(Joy 001; 1984)

Brodie
"Tell Me" b/w "Rock Shockin' Love Affair"
(Freluv'; 1984)

Risse
"Who's There (Vocal w/Rap)" b/w
"Who's There (Vocal)"
(Chocolate Cholly's CC0022; 1984)

Risse’s second R&B boogie release for Chocolate Cholly’s, a label out of Gastonia, North Carolina.

Johnny White & The Elite Band
"You" b/w "Beach Music"
(Elite; 1985)

Larry Duncan, previously of the Modulations, penned this 1985 selection for Johnny White’s Elite Band, an outfit that still plays to this day.