Expansion Records

This release is a true "heavyweight" in the Expansion catalog. Thelma Houston is a global icon thanks to "Don't Leave Me This Way," but for the soul connoisseur, her most profound work lies in these mid-70s masterpieces produced during her peak years at Motown. EXS026 is particularly special because it pairs two tracks that capture the transition from sophisticated soul to the birth of the disco era. The Product: Thelma Houston – Nothing Left To Give / Baby Mine Label: Expansion / Tamla Motown Format: 7" Vinyl Single (45 RPM) Catalog Number: EXS026 Release Year: 2019 Side A: "Nothing Left To Give" Produced by the legendary Hal Davis, this is a masterclass in building tension. It starts with a haunting, atmospheric intro before exploding into a driving, melodic powerhouse. It’s a "Big City" soul production that showcases Thelma’s incredible ability to convey deep emotion while maintaining a dancefloor-friendly tempo. Side B: "Baby Mine" A gorgeous, mid-tempo floater. Written by Berry Gordy himself along with Fred Perren and Alphonso Mizell (of The Corporation fame), it has that unmistakable "Jackson 5 style" upbeat polish but with a more mature, soulful delivery. Fascinating Collector’s Facts & Figures 1. The "Lost" Masterpiece "Nothing Left To Give" was originally tucked away on the 1976 album Any Way You Like It. The Figure: Despite its obvious quality, it was never given a proper 7-inch release in the UK or US during the 70s. For decades, collectors had to haul the LP to clubs just to play this one track. The Debut: EXS026 was the first time this track appeared on a 7-inch single with the original Tamla label artwork. 2. The Hal Davis "Midas Touch" The producer, Hal Davis, was the man who steered the career of The Jackson 5 and produced Thelma’s signature hit "Don't Leave Me This Way." The Fact: Davis was known for his "Wall of Sound" approach at Motown's LA studios. "Nothing Left To Give" features the elite "Wrecking Crew" style session musicians, giving it a sonic depth that few other soul records of the era can match. 3. The Corporation’s Fingerprints The B-side, "Baby Mine," features the songwriting fingerprints of The Corporation. The Figure: This was the hit-making team responsible for "I Want You Back" and "ABC." By the time they worked on this track for Thelma, they had refined their sound into a "sophisti-soul" style that is highly prized by Modern Soul DJs for its crisp, clean production. 4. Market Value & Demand Original copies of the Any Way You Like It LP are relatively easy to find, but the demand for this specific 7-inch reissue was massive upon release. The Figure: Because 7-inch singles are the "standard" for Northern Soul and Modern Soul DJs, the EXS026 pressing sold out its initial run quickly. On the secondary market, it is now considered a "stable" asset, holding its value well above its original retail price due to its convenience and superior 45 RPM sound quality. Technical Specs for Collectors Mastering: Expansion utilized the high-fidelity Motown masters for this release. The 45 RPM cut provides a much wider dynamic range than the LP version, particularly in the low-end bass frequencies and the sharp percussion on "Nothing Left To Give." Label Aesthetics: The record features the iconic "Tamla" brown and white globes label, a design that is synonymous with Motown's creative peak in the 1970s. Collector's Tip: If you enjoy "Nothing Left To Give," you should also seek out Thelma's work with Jerry Butler on the Thelma & Jerry album. Much like this release, it represents the high-water mark of Motown's sophisticated 70s output.