NS522 Steve Flanagan [1967] - I've Arrived [Era 3154]

522 Steve Flanagan [1967] - I've Arrived [Era 3186]

b/w:	I Need To Be Loved So Bad (Official A Side)
Format:	45
Label:	Era
Cat No:	3186 / 3154
Year:	1967 / 1965
Value:	$400-$500

I've arrived was originally recorded as a flip side to Era 3154 - You Don't Need A Crown by Jewel Akens in 1965.

Jewel Akens Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

This is a 'strange' record.  It obviously has the 'right beat', however to my ears this sounds like 'Rawhide' and is a cross between a rock and country & western tune and also sounds like a show tune from the very early 60s.  This is what you would call popcorn.  If it wasn't for the flip side I would have guessed that this was recorded by a white country & western artist! Probably best to say that this is a 'Marmite' record.

Era was also the label for Billy Watkins 'The Ice Man'.  The label ran from 1955 until 1970.  It was Steve Flanagan's only release on the label as with Billy Watkins.  Jewel Akens, however, had 9 releases between 1964 and 1969.

Era 45 Discography @ Global Dog

Steve Flanagan became a member of Creative Source (he is the one in the foreground of photo below).  Creative Source's - Don't Be Afraid (Take My Love ) got plays at the Blackpool Mecca upon release in 1976 (oddly only released in UK).  They released 4 albums and about a dozen or so 45s between  1973-76.

Steve Flanagan [1967] - I Need To Be Loved So Bad [Era 3186]

As equally as I dislike 'Ive Arrived', I love the flip side.  A  superb crossover tune from the pen of the talented Willie Hutch. (Unfortunately I can't find a label scan for it)

Jewel Akens [1966] - I've Arrived [Era 3164]

Creative Source [1976] - Don't Be Afraid (Take My Love [Polydor 2066 680]

UK 45 release only from the 1975 album Pass The Feelin' On, this was played at Blackpool Mecca on release.  Due a reactivation methinks!

Creative Source [1976] - Pass The Feelin' On [Polydor 2066 680]

On the flip of 'Don't Be Afraid' and the title track of the album is 'Pass The Feelin' On' which is no slouch. I would describe it as a modern soul stepper well worth a spin (if it hasn't had any already).

Yvonne Keely & Steve Flanagan [1978] - We Got Love [Ariola ARO 130]

The only other recording I can find by Steve Flanagan is this duet with Yvonne Keeley which got a UK and Dutch release in 1978 which are both a pop/soul/disco numbers quite typical of the era.

Yvonne Keely & Steve Flanagan [1978] - Never Had Nobody Like You [Ariola ARO 130]