Embarking on the formidable mission of organizing my collection of vintage reel-to-reel tapes and acetate discs has been a nostalgic journey into the pre-digital era. In those days, my edited versions, promotional materials, and rare releases found their home on either a reel-to-reel tape or were etched onto an acetate disc. Acetate discs, with their limited lifespan of around 10-20 plays, were delicate treasures. During this sorting endeavor, I stumbled upon a cherished edit from years ago.

The tune in question belongs to the soulful ensemble “Sound Experience” and is titled “He Don’t Really Love You.” Originating from their 1975 Buddah Records LP, “Boogie Woogie” (for those interested, the  * catalog number is BDS5645.), this eight-minute-and-twenty-one-second gem had caught my attention. The song, a delightful ballad, takes an unexpected turn around the 7:55 mark, transforming into a funky groove featuring harmonizing vocals, classic strings, and the unmistakable snare drums of the 1970s. This musical transition breathed new life into the charming ballad, but unfortunately, the segment I adored was all too brief.

In the bygone era of DJs, faced with such limitations, we had two options: procure two copies and extend the favored parts live, or employ the use of tape splicing tools to craft our own edits. I reveled in the artistic process of cutting, chopping, and rearranging songs to suit my preferences.

Surprisingly, the aged acetate played nearly flawlessly, with only subtle pops and clicks lending a touch of authenticity to the experience. “He Don’t Really Love You” became a staple in my morning playlists at 8:00 am, creating a mellow vibe that resonated with my dancers.

As I uncover these personal musical treasures, I am eager to share them. For those seeking to acquire the original Sound Experience LP, it can be found on Discogs.

**Update** – Luck smiled upon me as I managed to acquire the Multi-Track recording of “He Don’t Really Love You.” Now armed with unrestricted access to the original session, I am thrilled at the prospect of remixing the song! As soon as inspiration strikes and time permits, I plan to delve into the process and create a proper remix. Stay tuned for the musical transformation!

Nick

*Acetate Disc – An acetate disc is a type of phonograph(gramaphone) record, a mechanical sound storage medium, widely used from the 1930s to the late 1950s for recording and broadcast purposes and still in limited use today”

* Catalogue Number – A catalogue number is a number a record label assigns to a release for identification purposes.