Fascinating Collector’s Facts & Figures
1. The Frank Wilson "Motown" Connection
The primary reason this record is so highly sought after by soul purists is the involvement of Frank Wilson.
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The Fact: Frank Wilson is the "God" of Northern Soul (his record "Do I Love You" is the most expensive 7" in history). He brought his signature Motown "sparkle" to Renee's 1977 sessions in Los Angeles.
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The Figure: Collectors often refer to this as a "Motown record in all but name" because it features the same high-level production values Wilson utilized for the Supremes and Eddie Kendricks.
2. The Australian Rarity Factor
Renee Geyer was a massive star in Australia, but her records were often ignored by major US and UK labels at the time.
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The Scarcity: Original 1977 Australian 7" pressings of "Be There In The Morning" are incredibly rare in the Northern Hemisphere. Before the 7DOS3 reissue, collectors had to pay heavy shipping fees and high auction prices for the RCA Australian originals.
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The Figure: A clean original Australian 45 can fetch £60–£80 ($75–$100), making this remastered Expansion version a vital alternative for working DJs.
3. The "Crossover" Anthem Status
"Be There In The Morning" is a "Top 10" track for the Crossover Soul scene.
4. Limited "7DOS" Pressing
The 7 Degrees of Soul series was a strictly limited run.
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The Scarcity: Expansion produced these specifically for the connoisseur market. Unlike the standard EX7 catalog, the 7DOS releases were pressed in smaller quantities (often limited to 500-1000 copies).
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The Market: 7DOS3 is now considered a "deleted" title, meaning it is no longer in active production. Secondary market prices have already climbed to £25–£40 for mint copies.
Technical Specs for Collectors
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Mastering: This 2017 reissue was remastered from the original master tapes provided by the Geyer estate. The sound is noticeably broader and more "open" than the original 70s pressings, which were often cut for radio play.
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The Label: The label design mimics the classic 1970s aesthetic, often featuring a clean, minimalist design that focuses on the 7 Degrees of Soul branding.
Collector's Tip: Renee Geyer’s album Moving Along (the source of these tracks) was recorded with members of Ray Charles' band and The Waters. If you love the musicianship on this 45, the full LP is widely regarded as one of the best soul albums ever recorded by a non-American artist.
Track List
A1. It Only Happens (When I Look At You)
B1. Be There In The Morning