Expansion Records

f you are a collector of "Holy Grail" soul, then EXS022 is likely already on your radar. Halo (sometimes referred to as The Halo Band) was a fleeting project from the Detroit area that recorded one of the most elusive and celebrated tracks in the history of the Northern and Modern Soul scenes. This 2018 Expansion release is the ultimate "rescue" of a record that, for decades, only a handful of people on the planet actually owned. The Product: Halo – Let Me Do It / Life Label: Expansion / Mercury Format: 7" Vinyl Single (45 RPM) Catalog Number: EXS022 Release Year: 2018 Side A: "Let Me Do It" A breathtaking mid-tempo masterpiece. It features a rolling, atmospheric bassline, lush orchestration, and a vocal performance that is both fragile and powerful. It is the pinnacle of the "Crossover" sound—sitting perfectly between the energy of 60s soul and the sophistication of the 70s. Side B: "Life" A deep, soulful dancer that showcases the band's tighter, funkier side. While the A-side is the legend, "Life" is a high-quality production in its own right, featuring the same "Big City" Detroit production values. Fascinating Collector’s Facts & Figures 1. The £5,000 "Grail" The original 1981 release on the tiny 7-Step label is the stuff of myths. The Figure: Original copies are so rare that they have been known to sell for £3,000–£5,000 ($3,800–$6,300). The Scarcity: For years, even top DJs didn't know who the artist was because it was played as a "cover-up." When the identity was finally revealed, the scramble for the few existing copies made it one of the most expensive soul 45s in the world. 2. The Mercury "Unissued" Connection While the track eventually appeared on a small label, it was originally recorded for the major label Mercury. The Fact: Mercury inexplicably shelved the track. Expansion’s EXS022 is particularly significant because it utilized the original Mercury masters, which were higher quality than the later 7-Step pressings. The Figure: This release features the Mercury "City" label design, a nod to the home it should have had back in the late 70s. 3. The "Crossover" Anthem "Let Me Do It" is often voted as one of the top 10 greatest soul records of all time by UK connoisseurs. The Nuance: It is the perfect "transition" record. Its BPM and "floating" arrangement allow a DJ to shift the mood of a room from high-energy stompers to a more sophisticated, "grown-up" soul vibe without losing the dancefloor. 4. Expansion's Correction of History Before EXS022, the only way for a "regular" collector to own this song was via low-quality bootlegs or digital files. The Impact: Expansion’s official licensing meant the group (and the producers) finally received recognition and royalties for a track that had been a "shadow hit" for 40 years. Technical Specs for Collectors Mastering: Because this was mastered from the original Mercury tapes, the sound is incredibly "wide." You can hear the individual string arrangements and the separation in the backing vocals that was often lost on the lo-fi original 7-Step pressings. Market Status: Like the Crystal Motion (EXS004) release, this 45 sold out rapidly. It is now a "key" record for any 7-inch DJ box; if you don't have an original £5k copy, this is the only acceptable version to play out. Collector's Tip: Halo is the definition of a "one-hit wonder" in the soul world, but what a hit it was. If you love this, you should also look for EXS004 (Crystal Motion)—the two records are often considered the "Twin Pillars" of rare Modern Soul.