This weeks staff picks comes Matt, who's chosen this 7" on Universal Dessinee Records, Crystal Clear's 'Stay With Me' - available here. 

Gareth the head buyer at Mr Bongo knows only so well about my fondness for a soul-stepper, so when this one landed in-store he flagged it to me right away. It’s a beautiful modern soul joint from 1980, with a big female vocal, on a Japanese import - that ticks multiple boxes and is right in the pocket for me.

I hadn't heard of the artist ‘Crystal Clear’ before now, and when I checked out their discography there are only two releases credited to them (one being this). However, the songwriter for this release, Buddy Turner, has a suite of classic soul and disco credited to him. This includes First Choice and Eddie Kendrick’s tracks, and a particular favourite of mine - Q ‘Voice of Q’. With that one track, he’s already on another level. There’s pedigree here, and it shines through on the Crystal Clear record too.

The original pressing goes for more money than I have to spend on it - 3 copies on sale ranging from £330 - £700, so the only chance I ever have of owning it is as a reissue. I’ve made my peace with that and am delighted to have it in my collection. Get it before it slips away into the rarities zone once again.