Expansion Records

This particular version is highly prized by collectors because it pays homage to the band’s roots, featuring the iconic blue "Black Forest" label artwork from the original 1975 US release. The Product: Timeless Legend – (Baby) Don't Do This To Me / Where There's Love There's A Way Label: Expansion / Black Forest Format: 7" Vinyl Single (45 RPM) Catalog Number: EXS020 Release Year: 2019 Side A: "(Baby) Don't Do This To Me" (2:42) A stunning slice of mid-70s crossover soul. Unlike the later 1980 version, this 1975 recording has a raw, slightly more organic feel. It captures the transition from the Ohio vocal group tradition to the more sophisticated production of the mid-70s. Side B: "Where There's Love There's A Way" (2:45) This is the "Black Forest" version of the track. It is a masterclass in rhythm and harmony, featuring a locked-in groove that has made it a permanent fixture in the boxes of the world's most elite Soul DJs. Fascinating Collector’s Facts & Figures (EXS020) 1. The £1,500 Original The original 1975 7-inch on the Black Forest label is legendary for its scarcity. The Figure: Original copies have changed hands for over £1,500 ($1,900). Because so few were ever pressed (likely only a few hundred for local Ohio distribution), EXS020 was the first time many collectors could own the track with the authentic label design. 2. The Black Forest Mystery For decades, many collectors thought "Black Forest" was a European label due to the name. The Fact: It was actually a tiny independent label based in Columbus, Ohio. The name was chosen by producers Carl Fagain and Eddy Parker. The EXS020 reissue replicates the exact font and blue hue of the original "stock" copies, which are even rarer than the promo versions. 3. Different From the LP While these tracks appear on the famous Synchronized album, the versions on EXS020 are the original 1975 7-inch mixes. The Nuance: The album versions (released later) were often slightly polished or extended. The 7-inch mixes are tighter and "punchier," specifically engineered to sound heavy on 1970s jukeboxes. 4. The 2019 "Sold Out" Phenomenon When Expansion released EXS020 in 2019, it sold out across major UK soul specialists almost instantly. The Figure: Though it was a reissue, its demand was so high that "second-hand" copies of this specific 2019 pressing already trade for £25–£40 on sites like Discogs—double or triple its original retail price. The Lineup (The Men Behind the Legend) Timeless Legend wasn't just a studio project; they were a tight-knit vocal powerhouse: Jackie Hogg Allen B. Burney Donald Harmon Michael Harmon Collector's Tip: Check your run-out groove. The EXS020 pressing features high-definition remastering that removes the "hiss" present on many of the 1970s originals, making it arguably the best-sounding version of these songs ever pressed to vinyl.