Expansion Records

This 2022 reissue is a significant moment for "Rare Groove" collectors because it officially pairs their two most in-demand tracks on a single 7-inch record for the first time. The Product: Three Pieces – If Only I Could Prove To You / I Need You Girl Label: Expansion / Fantasy Format: 7" Vinyl Single (45 RPM) Catalog Number: EXS032 Release Year: 2022 Side A: "If Only I Could Prove To You" A masterclass in "elevated soul." Taken from their 1975 album Vibes of Truth, this track is a deep, sunshine-soaked dancer that sits somewhere between the sophisticated harmonies of The Temptations and the jazz-funk grit of The Blackbyrds. Side B: "I Need You Girl" The group's most iconic "Rare Groove" anthem. With its rolling bassline and soaring strings, it has been a staple of the UK underground soul scene for decades. Fascinating Collector’s Facts & Figures 1. The Donald Byrd Connection Three Pieces weren't just any jazz-funk group; they were protégés of the legendary trumpeter Donald Byrd. The Fact: Byrd produced their only album, Vibes of Truth, at the same time he was shaping the sound of The Blackbyrds. You can hear that same "Sky High" production aesthetic—airy, rhythmic, and incredibly polished. 2. The One-Album Wonder Like Timeless Legend, Three Pieces is a "one-album wonder" group. The Figure: Because they only released the Vibes of Truth LP in 1975, original copies became incredibly scarce as the "Rare Groove" movement took off in the 1980s. A clean original US pressing of the LP can easily fetch £150–£250 ($190–$320) today. 3. The Bass Player’s Pedigree The group’s lead vocalist and bass player, Jerry Wilder, is a legend in the D.C. scene. The Figure: Wilder later played with Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers, the architects of Go-Go music. He also worked on the seminal disco productions for Sharon Redd and Bobby Thurston, making his work a bridge between 70s jazz-funk and 80s club music. 4. The "Demo" Rarity When Expansion released EXS032, they also issued a limited run of "Demo" (White Label) copies. The Figure: These promo-style pressings were snapped up by DJs almost instantly. While the standard "Stock" copy retails for around £13, the "EXS032 DEMO" versions are already appearing on the secondary market for £25+ due to their "instant rarity" status. Collector's Tip: If you look at the original 1975 7-inch releases on the Fantasy label, "I Need You Girl" was usually backed with "Cool It." By swapping the B-side to "If Only I Could Prove To You," Expansion created what collectors call a "Monster Double-Sider"—a record where both sides are equally essential for a DJ set.