Expansion Records

If you’re looking for the definitive sound of the Uno Melodic label, EXPAND116 is the essential 12-inch in your crate. This release brings together the two most iconic tracks from Sylvia Striplin’s sole 1981 album, providing the full-length, unedited experiences that defined the "Rare Groove" and "Boogie" eras.The Product: Sylvia Striplin – Give Me Your Love / You Can’t Turn Me AwayLabel: Expansion / Uno MelodicFormat: 12" Vinyl Single (33 ⅓ RPM)Catalog Number: EXPAND116 Release Year: 2018 (Special Reissue)Side A: "Give Me Your Love" (6:20)An uptempo disco-boogie masterpiece. Produced by Roy Ayers and James Bedford, it features a driving, rhythmic guitar line and Sylvia’s effortless, "cool" vocal delivery. While shorter versions exist on 7-inch, the 12-inch allows the arrangement to breathe, showcasing the intricate percussion and Rhodes interplay that are hallmarks of the Roy Ayers production style.Side B: "You Can’t Turn Me Away" (5:28)The ultimate "slow-burner." This track is arguably more famous today for its massive influence on Hip-Hop, but in its original form, it is a masterclass in atmospheric soul. Its hypnotic, loping bassline and ethereal backing vocals create a vibe that is frequently imitated but never duplicated.Fascinating Collector’s Facts & Figures1. The Roy Ayers Production GeniusThis record is essentially a "Roy Ayers Ubiquity" session with Sylvia Striplin as the lead.The Fact: Roy Ayers used his top-tier session musicians for these tracks, including keyboardist James Bedford.The Figure: Since Roy Ayers' passing, original pressings on his Uno Melodic label have seen a massive surge in value. An original 1980/81 US 12-inch of "Give Me Your Love" can now fetch upwards of £200–£300 ($250–$380) on the collector's market.2. The Hip-Hop "Get Money" SampleIf the bassline on "You Can’t Turn Me Away" sounds familiar, it’s because it provided the foundation for one of the biggest rap hits of the 90s.The Figure: The track was sampled by The Notorious B.I.G. and Junior M.A.F.I.A. for the 1995 hit "Get Money." * The Impact: This single sample introduced Sylvia Striplin to a global audience and solidified the record's status as a "Holy Grail" for both soul DJs and Hip-Hop producers looking for "clean" drum and bass breaks.3. The "Eighties Ladies" PedigreeBefore her solo success, Sylvia Striplin was a member of the group Eighties Ladies, another Roy Ayers project.The Connection: Her solo work on Expansion (EXPAND116) is often bought alongside the Eighties Ladies' "Turned On To You." Together, these records represent the peak of the "Uno Melodic Sound"—a style that merged jazz-funk with the emerging electronic influences of the early 80s.4. Exclusive MasteringUnlike modern digital "rips," the Expansion EXPAND116 reissue was cut from the original analog master tapes.The Audio Figure: This 12-inch is pressed on 180g heavyweight vinyl, which significantly reduces surface noise compared to the thinner 1980s pressings. Collectors specifically hunt for the Expansion version because it handles the deep, sub-frequency bass of "You Can't Turn Me Away" without the "needle-jump" issues found on cheaper bootlegs.Technical Comparison: 12" vs. 7"FeatureExpansion 7" (EX7020)Expansion 12" (EXPAND116)A-Side Length4:37 (Edit)6:20 (Full Version)B-Side Length4:34 (Edit)5:28 (Full Version)Best ForNorthern Soul / Fast MixingAudiophiles / Club Sound SystemsSound ProfilePunchy Mid-rangeDeep Bass / Wide SoundstageCollector's Tip: If you see the 12-inch with the Uno Melodic "Blue/Black" logo on the label (as recreated by Expansion), you are holding the definitive version of these songs. The 12-inch versions include extended instrumental "breaks" that are essential for DJs who like to loop or transition tracks creatively.