Expansion Records

While EX7038 (David Ruffin - I Wanna Be With You / I Can't Stop The Rain) focused on David Ruffin’s "Burbank" years at Warner Bros, EXUMG09 takes us back to the legendary Motown vaults. This release is a "heavyweight" in the soul community because it features two of Ruffin's most sought-after solo recordings from the mid-70s. For collectors, this 7-inch is the definitive way to own David's most iconic "Modern Soul" dancer. The Product: David Ruffin – Walk Away From Love / Heavy Love Label: Expansion / Motown (Universal Music Group) Format: 7" Vinyl Single (45 RPM) Catalog Number: EXUMG09 ### Side A: "Walk Away From Love" Produced by the masterful Van McCoy (of "The Hustle" fame), this is arguably David Ruffin’s greatest solo achievement. It is a breathtaking piece of mid-tempo soul that features David’s raw, emotive vocals floating over a sophisticated, lush arrangement. It reached #1 on the R&B charts in 1975 and has remained a cornerstone of the UK Modern Soul scene ever since. Side B: "Heavy Love" A funky, driving soul track that showcases the grittier side of David's voice. While the A-side is all about elegance and heartbreak, "Heavy Love" is all about the groove, featuring a relentless bassline and a brass section that hits with surgical precision. Fascinating Collector’s Facts & Figures 1. The Van McCoy Masterpiece "Walk Away From Love" is widely considered Van McCoy's production peak. The Fact: McCoy was known for "Disco," but here he crafted a timeless soul ballad that captured the transition from 60s Motown to 70s Sophistication. The Figure: The track was recorded at Media Sound in NYC, using top-tier session musicians. The result was a record that sounded "more expensive" than almost anything else on the radio in 1975. 2. The 40-Year Wait for a "Clean" 45 While "Walk Away From Love" was a hit, original US Motown 7-inch copies from 1975 were often pressed on Styrene. The Issue: Styrene wears out rapidly, developing "hiss" and "crackles" after repeated club plays. The Expansion Solution: EXUMG09 is pressed on high-quality Black Vinyl using remastered tapes from the UMG/Motown archive. For a DJ, this is the first time the record has been available with this level of clarity and durability. 3. The "Heavy Love" Rare Groove The B-side, "Heavy Love," has developed a cult following of its own on the Rare Groove circuit. The Impact: It is often played by DJs who want to show the "tougher" side of Ruffin. Because it was the B-side to a massive hit, original copies are often "thrashed" on the A-side, making the Expansion reissue the best way to get a mint-sounding B-side. 4. Part of the Elite "UMG" Series Like the Peabo Bryson release (EXUMG06), this was part of the exclusive 2017/2018 partnership with Universal Music Group. The Scarcity: These were limited-run pressings. Because David Ruffin is a "top tier" name for collectors, EXUMG09 became one of the first in the series to go "Out of Print" and begin rising in value on the collector's market. Technical Specs for Collectors Mastering: The mastering on EXUMG09 is exceptional. It captures the "breath" in David's vocal during the intro of "Walk Away From Love," a detail often lost on compressed digital versions or worn-out vintage vinyl. The Label: The record features the iconic Motown "Map" label (West Coast design), which is historically accurate for Ruffin's mid-70s period when Motown had fully relocated to Los Angeles. Collector's Tip: "Walk Away From Love" is the ultimate "end of the night" record at many Soul Weekenders. Its slow-building energy and emotional payoff make it a universal favorite that bridges the gap between Northern Soul, Modern Soul, and classic Motown fans.