Sarah Vaughan / Johnny Wesley - The Time For Love Is Anytime (Bande Sonore Originale Du Film)

This scarce French 7-inch pairing of Sarah Vaughan and Johnny Wesley is one of those fascinating soundtrack curiosities that collectors love to stumble upon. Released in France in 1969 as a tie-in to the film Cactus Flower, the single stands out not only for its striking vocal performances but also for its unusual release history: outside of this French pressing, the B-side track could only be found on the film’s official soundtrack album.
The A-side, The Time For Love Is Anytime, features the incomparable Sarah Vaughan in full control of her expressive jazz-pop vocal style. Her voice glides effortlessly over the orchestral arrangement, delivering a warm and elegant performance that perfectly suits the romantic tone associated with the film.
However, the real draw for collectors is the B-side: I Need To Be Bee’d With by Johnny Wesley. This track carries a smooth, tight soul with a raw funk groove, with lush orchestration from Quincy Jones and a steady, understated groove that reflects the Funk Quincy injects into his sound. Wesley’s vocal performance is heartfelt and restrained and we were all shocked to find out this was his only recorded vocal performance,
What makes this single particularly special is its rarity and context. Issued only in France as a standalone 7-inch in 1969, it became the only way to obtain I Need To Be Bee’d With outside the full soundtrack release for Cactus Flower. For collectors of soundtrack music, vocal jazz, or obscure international pressings, that detail alone gives the record a certain mystique