I’ve only had this single for a week I found it while on a record hunt in Bridgeport,Connecticut last Thursday night. But man it hasn’t been off my record player all week and I reckon it will be a favorite at my place for a long time.
I don’t know who Billy Butler is, he did cut an album for OKeh in 1966 but other than that “I know nothing” to quote Sgt. Schultz from Hogan’s Heroes. What I do know is that this is one cool record!. “(You Make Me Think) You’re Not Ready” is nothing short of spectacular. It opens with some Rebop style congas and punchy horn charts, Billy then chimes in with an ultra smooth vocal, what I really dig is the backing vocals especially the bass singer who sounds like he just got done singing with The Mothers Of Invention circa “Ruben and the Jets”.
This Billy Butler is a truly fine singer reminding me of people like Sam Cooke, Curtis Mayfield, and Clyde McPhatter all rolled into one. The flipside “You’re Gonna Be Sorry” is a Curtis Mayfield number that also top notch sounding like late 60’s Impressions. I’m gonna have to find his album now, if it’s anywhere near as good as this single I’m in for a real treat, I’ll keep you all posted. This 45 cost me a total of 10 cents, money well spent I’d say!