Sublime Sweet Soul from Texas

The Commands “Hey, It’s Love” (Dynamic, 1966)

Please excuse any typos in this post, they’re a result of my unbridled enthusiasm for today’s 45.  I have been trying for quite some time to secure a copy of this gem and it came in the mail today after a lucky snag off an unnamed internet auction site and I literally can’t wait to share it with the world.

“Hey, It’s Love” is an absolutely beautiful, literally shockingly smooth track from San Antonio, TX.  The Commands were a group of guys who came together from, no surprise from their name, an Air Force base.  The arrangements and sensibility do not suggest they spent their time tearing up the pub on the base but instead were more focused on harmony and singing, not something unknown to those parts of Texas with Dan Henderson delivering a monster performance on what is a B-Side performance. 

The Commands themselves were actually just a vocal group with all the backing music provided by the Dell-Tones and boy, what backing music it is!  Crisp (but mellow) drums, including a gorgeous opening drum break are accompanied by super clean almost harp-like guitar.  Truly amazing stuff.

Released on the local Dynamic label, the record was picked up by the nearby powerhouse of Backbeat in Houston for national distribution and exposure even leading to the O’Jays covering the A-Side “No Time For You.”  There were a few more records released but none with the popularity of “No Time For You / Hey It’s Love” and fate intervened to take the lead Singer (of the A-Side) Sam Peoples to a station overseas before we were able to see what the group was really able to do.

This is literally one of my favorite records and if you’re listening I’m sure you understand why.

Enjoy the music and be good to each other,

-George / Snack Attack

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