Expansion Records

Marc Laroi Cummings – I’m Doomed / Stuck On You

Label: Expansion / L’Roi

Format: 7" Vinyl Single (45 RPM)

Catalog Number: EXS024 Release Year: 2018

Side A: I’m Doomed

A masterpiece of mid-tempo "Modern Soul." Recorded in the late 1970s, it features a sophisticated, building arrangement with a slight jazz-funk lean. Marc’s vocal is smooth yet carryies a deep, soulful weight. It’s the kind of track that makes a room go quiet before the dancefloor fills—a true "connoisseur’s" record.

Side B: Stuck On You

A slightly more uptempo, rhythmic soul dancer. While "I’m Doomed" is the deep-cut legend, the B-side showcases the tighter, funkier side of Marc’s production style, making this a high-value "double-sider" for any DJ box.

Fascinating Collector’s Facts & Figures

1. The £1,000+ Original

The original release on the tiny L’Roi label is one of the most elusive 45s of the Modern Soul era.

• The Figure: Original copies are so scarce they have fetched between £800 and £1,200 ($1,000 to $1,500) on the private collector market.

• The Scarcity: It was a tiny, independent press out of California with almost no distribution, meaning most of the original copies likely never left the state, let alone reached the UK soul scene in the 70s.

2. The "Modern Soul" Discovery

"I’m Doomed" wasn't a hit at the time; it was "discovered" by UK Rare Soul DJs decades later.

• The Impact: It became a "trophy" record for top-tier DJs. Its value skyrocketed because it sounds like a major-label production (lush strings, professional mixing) despite its ultra-obscure origins.

3. Expansion’s "Master Tape" Rescue

Before EXS024, most people had only heard this track via low-quality digital rips or "bootlegs."

• The Fact: Expansion worked directly with the masters to ensure that the subtle nuances of the orchestration—the strings and the delicate percussion—were finally captured in high fidelity.

• The Detail: The reissue features a recreation of the original blue L’Roi label, giving it an authentic aesthetic on the turntable.

4. The 2018 "Sold Out" Status

Like the Halo (EXS022) and Crystal Motion (EXS004) releases, the demand for this 45 was massive.

• The Market: It sold out at specialist shops (like Soul Brother and Expansion themselves) almost immediately upon release. On the secondary market, even this reissue now trades for £30 to £50, as it is the only legal and high-quality way to own the track.

Technical Specs for Collectors

• Mastering: Cut specifically for 45 RPM with a wide dynamic range. The bassline on "I'm Doomed" is significantly "warmer" on this pressing than on any digital version.

• Tempo: The A-side is a "Mid-Tempo Floater," sitting at the perfect speed for a sophisticated Modern Soul set where the focus is on vocal quality and musicality.

Collector's Tip: Marc Laroi Cummings is the perfect record to play alongside Halo’s "Let Me Do It" (EXS022). Both tracks share that ethereal, atmospheric quality that defines the "Grail" sound of late 70s/early 80s soul.