Allen Toussaint - Southern Nights 1975 Reprise lp OG RARE Psych Funk Soul Promo

$

55

Welcome to our Summer 2026 "Classic / Golden" era Soul/Funk/Rare Groove lp Part 1 sale, we cover some early ground with a few pre-1967 releases, largely the vast majority are from 1968-1974, mostly concentrated in the early-mid 1970's,  no modern reissues! WE COMBINE SHIPPING! -(Just kindly wait till end of auction for invoice :)
We have so many, that Part 2 will be even more, bringing tons of rare "Golden Era Soul/Funk", coming soon!

60 lp's all originals , many have soundclips, which are from the actual record :)

This week features a really nice curated slab of rare funk, soul lp's from the "classic golden era" or as Thes One put it "Vietnam War Era", we have a handful pre-dating 1967, the vast majority being concentrated in the early 70's, beginning with a very nice OG 1st press of the legendary 1973 GSF Records lp "Skull Snaps", a minty Funkadelic legendary Psych-Funk original 1970 Westbound lp "Free Your Mind and Your A** Will Follow", Allen Toussaint's 1975 Conceptual Psychedelic Funk masterpiece rarity "Southern Nights" lp, the insanely rare Hawaiian Private Press 1970 lp by Gordon Broad (Heavy Soul/Funk!), an unknown South Korean Psych Funk lp on Jigu Records, the first 3 Sylvers lp's on Pride, yep "I, II, and III", James Brown "The Payback" original double lp, Jimmy Castor Bunch "It's Just Begun" - minty fresh, everything from New Birth, Ace Spectrum, White Heat, some badddd rare heavy open drum breaks, instrumental rare-groove style funk, CCM Funk / Psych Funk Rock "First Gear 1972 Myrrh lp" for example....Lorraine Ellison's original OG 1st press 1969 "Stay With Me" on Warner Bros.-Seven Arts Records (not the 1971 version that is more common, and on thinner vinyl!!), we got heavy representatives on labels from ATCO, Hot Wax, Buddah, Cadet, Westbound, AVCO, All Platinum, RCA, Invictus, Gordy, Playboy, MCA, Atlantic, Pride MGM, Capitol, to Private Press world, and so much more :) 

ASSISTIVE NOTE:
To give the best  "map" for this sale, we'll have 21 leading off to give somewhat of a highlight of each area of items, then tending towards Chronological, than Stylistic in what we hope will be a nice ordering, the kind as fellow crate-diggers, we would be stoked to see.... If you want to view how we ordered it up, go to sort by "Ending Soonest", as listed newest will be the tail end & ending earliest is the beginning (if you filter by "ending soonest", you'll get the layout!), we hope this might help :)

**Note on grading: We have been proud to send thousands of records to delighted customers, but there is always room for improvement, we want to continually strive to be as accurate, honest, and detailed as possible. These records that have been collected and loved over the years, coming from a collector, one who listens to the records, enjoys the music, we are only growing more meticulous in our visual aspect of grading the vinyl, while also maintaining a balanced emphasis on the sound quality, utilizing sound clips (we do not manipulate them whatsoever, and we never will!), full front to back recent thorough listenings, and for the covers to use detailed photos, write detailed aspects for the grade, we want people to know exactly what they're getting, as collectors, lovers of music, we promise to always carry ourselves with integrity, we're in the business of delighting people, to treat others as the best experiences we've had as buyers, and all of our items are guaranteed. We won't stop growing, learning, and listening. A very special warm thank you to all our incredible return "customers", we really think of you all as fellow friends in vinyl, and if this is your first time bidding with us, we hope our "record" speaks for itself, ensuring a secure feeling to bid with confidence, thank you all, truly together we make this community one that spreads the love, sharing in this special thing of all of ours :) ***

* After this week's auction, (In no particular order) we have in the auction pipeline:
Classic Golden Era Soul Funk Part II, nearly 80+ lp's, top shelf stuff.....
2nd Modern Soul / Gospel / Boogie / AOR, Part "II"
More Deep Funk / Soul 45rpm 7", as well as AOR / Power Pop / Rock 45rpm 7"
A giant stash of rare Open Drum Breaks, emanating from a variety of groovy genres, the kind of lps both dope / under the radar sale!
A few more cooking, not to mention our exciting, anticipated:
Part 4 "Giant Jazz"; jazz funk, spiritual, fusion, synth jazz underground, etc. sale lp's

*^(Each are loaded with some of the rarest, high end stuff, plenty that haven't shown up in years, unknown mind-blowers, Grail Pieces, like always, all original editions!)
We'd be honored if you'd consider saving us as a favorite seller :)***

All soundclips used are unedited directly from the item up for sale :). See below for detailed grading!
***Everything is 100% guaranteed! We've sold over 1,500+ records in the past year alone, with 100% positive feedback, bid with confidence :)

Feel free to message any questions!

*Note: Any Item that does not have a soundclip, feel free to message us, and we can make one for you :) 

**Note: for items with multiple players, the title of track is above each player; the player enables scrolling through!**



[Please feel free to message us if you'd like a soundclip from this record :)

Media Grade:  EX  (incredibly sharp copy, very conservative grading, happy to send soundclips!)
Sleeve Grade:  VG (a very strong VG, structurally solid/intact, 1 inch seam split top seam by opening *"close split", so it's not as bad as a "wide split", rubwear, ringwear, light corner bumps, overall a fairly decent average used copy, see photos!)
Year / Label / Catalogue #:   1975  /  Reprise  / MS 2186 "Promotion Not For Sale" (1st press, promo, Stereo, "Santa Maria Pressing") 
Brief Comments: One of the most legendary, singular figures of New Orleans post-war Soul/Funk & jazz (under the misspelled name "Tousan", his first lp, from 1958 on RCA "The Wild Sound", contains his original, first version of "Java", later covered into a hit, by fellow NoLa musician, friend, Al Hirt), he was honored with a US Post Stamp last year.... From Lee Dorsey, The Meters (who are the backing band on this one!), Dr. John, Ernie K. Doe, Claudia Lennear, Aaron Neville, Lou Johnson "With You In Mind" 1971 Stax lp (produced entirely by Toussaint!), works with Wardell Quezerque spanning 45's, lp's, etc., The Wild Tchoupitoulas lp, to "Get Out Of My Life Woman", it's a whole cinematic Universe stemming from this legend, spanning virtually every decade from the 50's onward.....
In terms of solo lp's, it seems hard at first, because 1972 "Life, Love and Faith" - also on Reprise, I've had that gem...is so good (all of his solo lp's are amazing, his RCA lp is amazing!), but it's fair to say, this is his masterpiece "Southern Nights", Toussaint himself has said its his best, and favorite album (RIP, 1938-2015, Lord had mercy to spare him the world of the next 11 years....), it's actually a concept album in many ways, linked by these gorgeous moody interludes (on the labels called "filler", with time durations!), in a year of emerging "Disco" on one hand, "Cosmic Funk", also "P.Funk", even roots of "Modern Soul", there was a lot happening, a transition time for soul/funk, partly due to technology advances, incorporations of electronic instruments, further adoption of string sound on major labels (never had hiring a symphony orchestra been cheaper, as the demand for classical music was extremely low), the Mizell Bros. sound taking Jazz, Jazz-Fusion into increasing nascent Boogie / Modern Soul directions..... This 1975 lp, doesn't sound like anything else, it's got heavy funk yes, New Orleans style soul of course, Psychedelic Soul/funk check and check, jazzy / silkiness that's so evocative...yes, but really it's Allen Toussaint, at solo artist pinnacle, Reprise having had so many productions, compositions by Toussaint, gave him carte blanche to create the album he wanted (his 1972 lp wasn't very commercially successful, but given Dr. John on ATCO's mega-hit success in 1974, Reprise didn't want to lose Toussaint to Atlantic), so armed with The Meters, along with several NoLa session legends, ("Country John" on the sleeve, credited with guitar, is almost certainly Dr. John, under a thinly disguised name), Toussaint wrote, composed, arranged the entire lp, bringing in dear friend / collaborator Marshall Seahorn to co-produce. It was even recorded, and mixed in New Orleans (at Sea-Saint Studios!).
In some ways it reminds of if David Axelrod, James Brown, and Sam Dees had gotten together, but no one or two or three or however many, could have ever made this particular album, other than Allen Toussaint, he had already beyond proven himself as a living legend back then.....him being a true artistic genius, visionary, creative gifted soul, the album, that "magnum opus" was in him, and finally ready to be born.... There's no drafting a top 25 funk/soul album list, without it's inclusion. It's like the "Dark Side Of The Moon" in conceptual being, of New Orleans... Isaac Hayes was so blown away, he called Toussaint to congratulate him, Eddie Bo had a stack of copies sent to him, and would craft his 1977, 1980 lp, off the inspiration of this one (Bo was satisfied to be the singles man of funk, but "Southern Nights" was so inspiring, he went to work....), it's one of the greatest albums, deserving of Top 500 Albums of All Time Rolling Stone list -(I think next go around, it will make it), and I've had this copy since I was 19....I couldn't barely believe it when I found it back in early 2013, I've loved it, every play, and it's hard folks to let go of...But It's time for it go to a loving home, to inspire yet another soul, may you have as much true joy, moments that ...transcend, and love, as I have had :)
It's a really pleasing, top sound keeper copy, original 1st press, Promo :)





*Tariffs aren't going to impact used vinyl records / music media, we wish they were never in place at all, so for international buyers, don't worry on that account! **Note ^That is in regard to EXTRA ordinary tariffs for political reasons, if you are an international buyer we urge you to contact us prior to shipping for clarity!
For our record grading, we stand by the merits outlined in the scale below, anything VG or below will have a detailed explanation in brackets next to the grade.
For sleeves, we will mention anytime there is split, or defect not visible in the photos in brackets next to the grade, otherwise we refer to the photos for the merit of the grade. Of course any questions, concerns, are always welcome :) 
Our media grading scale is as follows: [*Quick note, our VPI is still in storage on the other side of the US, we do brush clean many  items carefully, but we have to prioritize, we won't leave anyone stranded with a filthy record, only "filthy" good! We don't factor dust particles into the grading]
NM = Essentially a pristine album, like new, rarely used.
EX = Under bright light if there is any scuffs or mark, which will be inaudible, most collectors and sellers would tend to consider it closer to NM, EX is also the grade others might call VG++ under the same level of conservative scrutiny.
VG+ = More then a small handful of scuffs, light marks, nothing feelable, will have high-gloss, a thoroughly enjoyable copy that may only have tiny moments of barely perceptible surface noise overpowered by the music. Our VG+ will satisfy the vast majority of collectors as a nice keeper copy, as collector's ourselves for nearly two decades, this grade is aimed to be a great keeper. Note if say the record has a light DNAP warp, but otherwise is NM, we will automatically put it to VG+ and detail that. Another scenario is if a copy plays at a solid EX, but visually is VG, the composite grade will be VG+, and detailed as such.
VG = More hairlines, more marks, maybe a few visible scratches, no more then two feelable scratches (which automatically lowers to VG-), there likely will be surface noise, but will play through, still being an enjoyable copy, the audio quality will satisfy most collector's (the golden rule: if it doesn't satisfy us, it won't be VG), if a record is otherwise EX, but has a slight momentary skip, where 99% of the record is EX, we will note that, and put it at VG. Usually will retain a nice gloss.
VG- = More Scratches than VG, surface noise will jump out more, it be overpowered for longer stretches, or compete with the music in places, it will likely play all the way through on most turntables, a copy that you can still get a decent play enjoyment from.
G+ = Lots of scratches, deeper ones, surface noise now mostly overpowers or competes with the music. It may skip in some places. We don't tend to sell G+ copies, unless the rarity is so great, and that will be precisely detailed.
Thrashed = Pretty much a "Theoretical Grade" for us, it be for all intents & purposes virtually unplayable, it would be for display purposes, or perhaps if you needed the cover but not the record. It's "theoretical" because so far we haven't sold or identified anything intended to sell at this bottom level.
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Thank you from EnfieldVinyl, a family business, and the auction venture of EnfieldRecords :)
Kindly,
-Alec :D
&
-Ellie :)