Gil Blanding - Rules

Review by Teri Conrad

Alright, let’s dive into Rules, the funky little soul gem from Gil Blanding that dropped way back in 1966. This Italian release on the Derby label might not be a household name, but man, it’s got that vibe that just sticks with you. If you’re into raw, unfiltered soul with a splash of funk, this one’s worth a spin. First off, the title track, “Rules,” is an absolute banger. It’s one of those songs where the groove hits you right away, and before you know it, you’re nodding your head like, “Yeah, this is the stuff.” The bassline? Super smooth. Like butter-on-a-hot-pan smooth. And Gil’s voice—it’s got this raspy warmth that feels both effortless and full of emotion. I remember this track because it’s impossible not to. It’s the kind of song that makes you wanna grab someone and dance, even if you’ve got two left feet. Then there’s “La Ta Ta,” which is just… weirdly addictive. Like, what does “La Ta Ta” even mean? No clue. But it doesn’t matter because the rhythm is so infectious, you’ll find yourself humming it for days. There’s something about the way the horns punch in and out—it’s playful but still has that soulful edge. It’s the kind of track that makes you wonder how they came up with it in the first place. Did someone just start chanting “La Ta Ta” in the studio, and everyone was like, “Yeah, let’s roll with it”? Whatever happened, it works. What’s wild about this album is how it came out of Italy. I mean, when you think of soul music in the ‘60s, you’re probably picturing Detroit or Memphis, not Milan or Rome. But here we are, and Gil Blanding somehow made it work. It’s like he took a bit of Motown, mixed it with some Italian flair, and created something totally unique. Honestly, listening to Rules feels like finding a hidden treasure in a dusty old record shop. You don’t expect much, but then BAM—it blows you away. Makes you wonder how many other forgotten albums are out there waiting to be rediscovered. Maybe Gil Blanding wasn’t a big name back then, but damn, he should’ve been. Final thought: If you ever see this album at a flea market or online for cheap, grab it. Not just because it’s rare, but because it’s the kind of music that reminds you why soul exists—to make you feel something real. Plus, “La Ta Ta” alone is worth the price of admission.

Artist: Gil Blanding
Album: Rules

Italy

Funk / Soul

Soul

1966

Rating: 5.0

Review
About Album
Download
Tracks
Video
Images
Catalog Numbers
Labels
Listen online
Formats
Notes
About Artist
Interesting fact
Comments
Related albums

Download

Filename: gil-blanding-rules.zip

MP3 size: 10.6 mb
FLAC size: 111.2 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
La Ta Ta
Rules

Video

Gil Blanding - Rules - Ready

GIL BLANDING - LA TA TA ( READY 102 )

Images

Album herunterladen Gil Blanding - Rules

Catalog Numbers

Db5150

Labels

Derby

Listen online

escuchar en línea
lyssna på nätet
écouter en ligne
ascolta in linea
online anhören
lytte på nettet
ouvir online
kuunnella verkossa
online luisteren

Formats

Vinyl
7"

Notes

ORIGINAL ITALY 1966 DERBY LABEL
ULTRARARE NORTHERN SOUL

About Gil Blanding

Soul singer - songwriter who, after working as a parking lot attendant, recorded under 3 different names. His first recording under his birth name was released on the tiny Long Island "Ready" label in 1966. A couple of months after he recorded on "Verve Records" as Virgil Blanding. 2 Years later he recorded again as Virgil on "Moon Shot". In 1970 he had linked with Songwriter and Producer Jerry Ross for his outing as Virgil Henry, Berry Gordy contacted Gil about working with Motown as well as releasing on the label imprint in 1971 "I Can't Believe You're Leaving Me" backed with "You Ain't Saying Nothing New"

Real Name

Gil Blanding

Name Vars

V. Blanding
Virgil Blanding

Aliases

Virgil Henry

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s something cool: The album *Rules* by Gil Blanding is a hidden gem from 1966. It’s a soulful mix of Funk and Soul, released in Italy under the Derby label. What makes it stand out? It includes tracks like *Rules* and *La Ta Ta*, which blend smooth rhythms with raw emotion. Back then, Italian soul wasn’t as common, so this album was a unique piece of musical fusion. Not many people know about it today, but it’s a treasure for vinyl collectors and soul enthusiasts.