Expansion Records

This release is a masterclass in 1970s "Sophisti-soul." When Dionne Warwick signed to Warner Bros. in the early '70s, she moved away from the Bacharach/David pop sound and into a grittier, more rhythmic territory. EX7032 captures the absolute peak of that transition, pairing two tracks that are considered "royalty" on the UK Modern Soul and Crossover scenes. The Product: Dionne Warwick – Move Me No Mountain / (I’m) Just Being Myself Label: Expansion / Warner Bros. Format: 7" Vinyl Single (45 RPM) Catalog Number: EX7032 Release Year: 2018 Side A: "Move Me No Mountain" A breathtaking mid-tempo masterpiece. Originally appearing on her 1975 album Track of the Cat, this track features a rolling, hypnotic bassline and Dionne’s sophisticated, effortless vocal delivery. It is a "staple" at every major soul weekender, prized for its cool, atmospheric energy. Side B: "(I’m) Just Being Myself" The title track from her 1973 album, produced by the legendary Motown team Holland-Dozier-Holland. This is a faster, driving soul dancer that showcases the "Invictus/Hot Wax" style of production—heavy on the percussion and full of Detroit-style grit. Fascinating Collector’s Facts & Figures 1. The Holland-Dozier-Holland "Reunion" The B-side, "(I’m) Just Being Myself," is a historical anomaly. After Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown and formed their own labels, Dionne was one of the few superstar "outside" artists they produced. The Fact: You can hear the exact same production DNA used for Freda Payne and The Chairmen of the Board. It is arguably the most "Detroit" Dionne Warwick ever sounded. 2. The Jerry Ragovoy Connection The A-side, "Move Me No Mountain," was produced by Jerry Ragovoy (the man who wrote "Piece of My Heart"). The Figure: Ragovoy brought a polished, New York "uptown" soul sensibility to the track. While it was later covered by artists like Chaka Khan and Love Unlimited, Dionne’s original version remains the "DJ's Choice" for its subtle, laid-back swing. 3. The £80 Original Rarity Original UK 7-inch copies of "Move Me No Mountain" on Warner Bros. are notoriously difficult to find in clean condition. The Figure: Before the Expansion reissue, an original UK 45 could fetch £60–£80. The Scarcity: Many 1970s copies were "dinked" (large holes cut out) for jukeboxes or suffered from heavy surface noise. EX7032 provides a pristine, high-fidelity alternative on heavy-weight vinyl. 4. The "Modern Soul" Anthem "Move Me No Mountain" is frequently cited in the "Top 50 Modern Soul Tracks of All Time." * The Impact: Its tempo (approx. 100 BPM) makes it the ultimate "transition" record. It is often used by DJs to cool down a high-energy Northern Soul set or to build the mood for a late-night Modern Soul session. Technical Specs for Collectors Mastering: Expansion utilized the original Warner Bros. master tapes. The 45 RPM cut is noted for its "bottom-end" warmth—the bassline on "Move Me No Mountain" is significantly more prominent here than on the original 1975 LP. The Label: This release features the iconic Warner Bros. "Burbank/Palm Trees" label design, a visual hallmark for collectors of mid-70s soul. Collector's Tip: If you love the production on Side B, you should also look for EX7001 (The Jones Girls) or other Holland-Dozier-Holland productions. This 45 represents the bridge between the "Detroit Sound" and the "LA Sophistication" of the mid-70s.