A one hour radio documentary on Wilson Pickett featuring some of the main people in his life such as Bobby Womack, Steve Cropper, Bobby Eli, Willie Schofield, Eddie Floyd, Sir Mack Rice, Rick Hall, Spooner Oldham and many more as well as some archive footage that we came across from Wilson himself.

Presented by Roger Daltry from The Who.

It will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Monday 12th March at 10pm and will also be available on their listen again feature on their website for the following 7 days http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01d5nn0

Gil Scott-Heron

I awoke yesterday to the sad news that Gil had passed away at the young age of 62.

Whatever I say here will never sum up the influence this man, his words, his music has had on my life. I was not born to a life of hardship or depravity, but often seek solace in his words.

I first encountered the music of Gil and Brian Jackson in a sweaty club many years ago as we all shuffled around the dance floor to the rhythm of ‘the bottle’, yet it was many years before the message hit home and put an end to my years of alcohol abuse. Similarly, ‘your daddy loves you’ was a constant play (alongside Bill Withers’ – I’m her daddy) in the years following my divorce from the mother of my three daughters.

I am sure his words will continue to encourage, support and nurture thousands for many years to come…

Gil Scott-Heron April 1, 1949 – May 27, 2011. Peace go with you brother…

Mel Britt

Summer feels like it’s here in the UK, with amazing temperatures of 22 (71) degrees and clear blue skies, which means it’s time to cut the grass, clean the patio and sort out the borders.

After a back-breaking day of gardening chores yesterday, I figured I deserved some ‘me’ time and laid down some tunes for your audio delight this morning. For a week or so I have been rummaging in my ‘Northern’ boxes, pulling out records that I consider classic Northern Soul; and this morning took the time to throw a few together for an hour’s music.

The mix I prepared is a collection of classic (instantly recognisable) Northern Soul tunes. All 45s, which are mostly original issues, some are re-issues and the odd one is a bootleg. I hope you enjoy and pop back soon for a follow-up mix:

Tina Britt – The Real Thing
Young Holt Unlimited – Soulful Strut
Len Barry – It’s That Time Of The Year
Vickie Baines – Country Girl
Rose Batiste – Come Back In A Hurry
Bob & Earl – Your Time Is My Time
Brothers Of Soul – Come On Back
Betty Baker And The Jaxsis – Marching Out Of Your Life
Yvonne Baker – You Didn’t Say A Word
Don Thomas – Come On Train
Johnny Bragg – They’re Talking About Me
Dena Barnes – If You Ever Walk Out Of My Life
James Brown And The Famous Flames – There Was A Time
Franki Valli & The Four Seasons – Beggin’
The Casanova Two – We Got To Keep On
Frank Beverly & The Butlers – If That’s What You Wanted
Mel Britt – She’ll Come Running Back
Darrell Banks – Angel Baby (Don’t You Ever Leave Me)
Connie Clark – My Sugar Baby
Jackie Lee – I’ll Do Anything
Jerry Butler – Moody Woman
Beach Girls – Skiing In The Snow
Cannibal & The Headhunters – Mean So Much
The Salvadors – Stick By Me Baby

Hope you enjoy:

Eddy Giles - Losin' Boy

This is a recent acquisition (via t’internet); Eddy Giles with Losin’ Boy. As you can see from the scan. my copy has been subject to someone removing a sticker (rather heavy handedly); why, oh why, do people/shops put stickers on record labels and record sleeves?!?! Grrrrrr…..

Eddy Giles (aka Eddie G Giles, real name Elbert W Giles); released his Losin’ Boy on Murco records in 1966 (it was later re-recorded and issue on Stax records (0103) in 1971); this version was recorded and mixed by Mr. DesMarais; who owned a small record shop in Cedar Grove (Shreveport, Louisiana), called Bayou Records. The story has it that Mr. DesMarais would bring local bands (mostly black) into a small recording studio behind his record shop and let them record their songs and would sometimes put the records out, as was the case with Losin’ Boy. At that time Eddy was known then as “Eddie G and the Jive Five”. This tune featured on the Keb Darge/Paul Weller collaborative various artists CD “Lost & Found: Real R’n'B & Soul!”

If anyone has a copy of the Sound City recording, released on Stax, I’d love to hear it to see how different the five years made the sound (I often think back to the differencies between the two versions of Eddie Holloway’s Baby Don’t Cry – the deeply funky 1968 recording for Jack Taylor’s New York-based Rojac label versus the 1965 Miami-based Soul Pleasers’ soulful version).

There doesn’t seem to be much written down about the fate of Mr Giles, there is a suggestion he moved into music production. Any additional information would be welcomed. What is clear is that Eddy had a reasonably prolific period with Murco where he released the following records over a 3 year period:

• 1031 – Eddy Giles – Losin’ Boy / I Got The Blues (1966)
• 1033 – Eddy G Giles & The Jive Five – Don’t Let Me Suffer / When I’m Away (1967)
• 1034 – Eddy G Giles & The Jive Five – Eddie’s Go Go Train / While I’m Away (1967)
• 1037 – Eddy G Giles – Music / Happy Man (1968)
• 1042 – Eddy G Giles – Love With A Feeling / Baby Be Mine (1969)
• 1048 – Eddy G Giles – Soul Feeling Part 1 / Soul Feeling Part 2 (1969)
• 1053 – Eddy G Giles – Tinglin’ / Ain’t Gonna Worry No More (1969)

Listed in the Manship guide as Northern, I’d personally categorise this as R&B with a blues flip; have a listen and let me know what you think.

30/05/2011 – an update on Eddy Giles from the son (Chris James) of a former band member: “Eddie Giles became a pastor. He lives in Shreveport.”

Soul Brother's Testify

Recent chat about this tune prompted me to pull it and rip it for your pleasure. This is yet another track for which I can find very little background information. I picked this up, I think, from eBay a while back and pretty sure it came up with a 99p starting price and I secured it for about £40. A price I was happy to pay as this hardly ever comes up for sale and when it does, changes hands for c£100 (see Manship’s copy).

Part 1 appears to have also been released on Anla (AL115) with Sweet Potato Mash on the flip (which I have NEVER seen in the flesh), but today’s offering is Anla’s 1968 release (AL102) with Part 1 and Part 2 on the same record. I’ve also seen this referred to as the “Original Soul Senders”, but have no idea why… since the label clearly shows the artists as Chester Randle’s Soul Sender’s (not sure why so many apostrophes!).

You might also be able to find a copy of its recent (2007) reissue on BGP (521) with 87th Off Broadway & Can’t Get Enough on the flip.

Enough talking, enjoy the tunes. Part 1 should be played first as this is the more commercial offering, part 2 steps the tempo up a bit with blasting horns and less vocals; both great tunes you could drop into any funky mix and not break the beat.

Martini's - Hung Over

I featured this tune in a mix recently, and whilst digging for further information, was able to discover very little…

The writers are listed (side 1: Hung Over) as J. Keyes, C. Axton, A. Mitchell, M. Hodges & L. Hodges and (side 2: Late Late Party) as J. Keyes, C. Axton, M. Hodges & L. Hodges.

Side 1 really feels like it should be the second side (the hangover follows the late party); but is a tune that hooks from the opening bars. There is a section about a third of the way through where someone appears to be expressing their pain at their hangover (or, as some people prefer to think, bringing up some of last night’s excesses). Late Late Party is just a perfect tune for the stragglers at the end of a long night (I can see the lounge lizards tapping their feet).

Whilst researching the names, I came across a suggestion from Funky16Corners that said “I believe the Martinis were actually Packy Axton and other members of the Packers (along with some studio guys, maybe members of the Hi rhythm section).” The general consensus appears to be that the Martini’s were not a working band, but more likely a number of session musicians, certainly Leroy Hodges was one of the members of the Hi Rhythm Section (Memphis house band).

It is believed this record was released in 1967; but failed to chart. Unfortunately, like the actual artists performing on the record, I can find no information at all on the record label (Bar Records “24k Memphis golden soul”), nor the producer (Keyton); although I assume this to be a combination of J. Keyes & C. Aston. Can anyone shed any light?

“My uncle, Kalid Abdul Shaheid, formed the band. All of the band members were from New Jersey. My uncle is on the the Piano, the bass is played by Carl Harris, his younger sister Phyllis is the vocalist. Ogden (kip) O. Lee is the lead guitarist and on the drums was Ernie; but I can’t remember his last name.

“Ernie was from Newark,  Ogden from Linden, Carl was from Edison and Phyllis lived in East Orange.

“Phyllis was gorgeous; she would definitely make your heart skip a beat. As a teenager traveling with the group, mine did many times.

“The Conga players name was Akbar, his last name escapes me as well as it has been a number of years, but he lived in Newark as well.

“Since Khalid is my uncle, he allowed me to work with the band. I was a teenage sound man and roadie. I unloaded the van, set up the equipment, connected everything and tested it. Loaded everything and when I got my license, I hauled it almost everywhere they were playing. I did this all through High School for about 25 dollars a week.

“The money didn’t matter as I was having fun hanging with them. They all are really great people. I also got a friend of mine involved with me so we both traveled with them and we began spinning records during their timeouts and were part time DJ’s.

“They would practice most of the time in my uncles basement in Elizabeth on Bond Street behind School 20. When the band broke up, Carl and Phyllis formed their own band called Brother and Sister and brought in their youngest sibling to sing with them. I remember many things that went down during the time they were playing.”

Freddi / Henchi & The Soulsetters

I was in the mood on Saturday to lay down some tunes for your audio delight (after having spent the best part of 3 hours replacing the bulb for the cue light on one of the decks – what a bitch of a job that was!) and, as is often the case when I’m behind my decks, I just grab and play whatever I fancy. The mix is mostly funk, with the occasional Northern dropped in. I hope you enjoy.

I open with Martini’s fantastic “Hung Over”; even with the odd sounding up-chuck midway through this is a soulful instrumental with a  nice, slow groove. Released on Memphis’ Bar Records, in 1963 (issue # 101). I can garner no data on the group, but the writers are listed as J. Keyes, C. Axton, A. Mitchell, M. Hodges & I. Hodges. During my research on the Martini’s I found a post by Larry Grogan (Funky 16 Corners); who said “I believe the Martinis were actually Packy Axton and other members of the Packers (along with some studio guys, maybe members of the Hi rhythm section)”.

Next up is Chuck Carbo and Can I Be Your Squeeze. Two and a half minutes of an Eddie Bo tune, released on Hollywood’s Canyon Records, in 1969 (issue #47). Chuck was the New Orleans legend Hayward ‘Chuck’ Carbo, who sadly passed away at the age of 82 back in 2008. Can I Be Your Squeeze, with Carbo’s gritty vocals coupled with Bo’s writing and production is one of the best funk tunes to emerge from New Orleans; on a par with Bo’s own Hook and Sling… “ooh la lee… look what I see! Can I be your squeeze?”

I followed Chuck with something slightly heavier, Freddi/Henchi And The Soul Setters with I Want to Dance, Dance, Dance. Mine’s a promo copy on Reprise Records, issued in 1973 (issue # 1175), it’s a double A with “Funky To The Bone” on the flip. Freddi (Fred Gowdy) and Henchi (Marvin Graves) first formed in Arizona in the early sixties in a band called The Soulsetters. Attracted by Colorado’s mountains, blue skies (and beautiful women), Freddi and Henchi decided to relocate their band, then known as Freddi/Henchi and the Soulsetters to Boulder, Colorado. As far as I can tell they continued to perform until Henchi’s passing in 2009.

Next up is Hey, Hey, (Feel Alright) Pt 1, by Van Harris & The Vanguards. As I sometimes do, I dropped the wrong side, since Part 2 is funkier; but once it was in the mix, it was in. Released on New York’s ABC Records, issue date unknown (issue # 11155). Written by Van Harris it’s a sax led tune reminiscent of Junior Walker; yet another group I can find no information on.

Hot on the heels of Van is an unmistakable Coffey tune, released in 1972 on Hollywood’s  Sussex (issue # 237), Ride, Sally, Ride is the B side to Dennis Coffey’s “Getting It On”. Dennis Coffey was, as you well know, a member of the Motown backing band the Funk Brothers. Coffey gave us the unmistakable ‘wah wah’ guitar on so many classics from the home of motor city. Coffey was also the first white artist to appear on Soul Train (performing Scorpio) and wrote the soundtrack for the Blaxploitation flick Black Belt Jones.

A slight change in tempo next with Jamo Thomas and his Bahama Mama (Part 1). Jamo, famous for his Northern hit “I Spy For The FBI” was born in the Bahamas and recorded this a year after his 1966 ‘FBI’ hit. Bahama Mama is a two parter, with Part II on the flip, released on Sound Stage Seven (issue # 2596). Jamo appears to have stopped recording in 1970 with his last release being the two parter “You Just Ain’t Ready”.

I love the intro to the next tune, the drums leading us to the announcement that “it’s Funky Donkey time”. Funky Donkey is a ‘Radio Station Copy’ release on Date records (issue # 1568). Credited to B. Purdie and released as Pretty Purdie; this is none other than the session drummer Bernard Lee ‘Pretty’ Purdie. I’m not sure when this was recorded, Purdie was, and still is, a prolific musician and has contributed to many artist’s releases including Brown’s “Say It Loud – I’m Black And Proud” and Aretha’s “Rock Steady”.

Upping the tempo further with the manic Four Corners (part 1) next, it’s (Irvin) Lee Dorsey. Released on Amy Records (issue # 11.031) this is a promo copy. I’m not sure when this was recorded, but it’s credited to Allen Toussaint, so I assume it was from their Amy collaberation between 1965 & 69; a period which saw the releases of ‘Working In A Coal Mine’ and ‘Yes We Can’. I defy you to not tap your foot to the manic sounds… “what’dya say… four corners baby”

Marva Josie delights us next with her Crazy Stockings. Marva, the legendary jazz singer, released this on City Records (issue # C-500). Sadly I can gain no further information on when, or where. Marva is still with us and appears to still be delighting audiences; I’ll drop her a line and see if I can get any further information on this tune.

The next tune is also a promo, this time from Josie records (issue # 994), it’s Johnny Guitar Watson’s Gangster Of Love (Part 1) performed by Jimmy Norman. Jimmy is a R&B and Jazz musician who has worked with greats such as Hendrix, Marley, etc. This is another tune for which I cannot determine the date of recording/issue.

New York’s Rojac label is the provider of Big Maybelle’s Northern smash I Just Can’t Wait Any Longer (issue # 115). No information on when this was recorded I’m afraid and sadly Mabel Louise Smith suffered drug addiction and diabetes problems during the 60′s and left us in 1972.

Next, Harmonica George insists we Get Some Order about yourself. Released on Toddlin’ Town (issue # 106). George “Harmonica” Smith (born Allen George Smith) was a master of the blues harmonica and a member of Muddy Waters’ band. Again, no idea when this was recorded and sadly George passed in 1983.

Another New York recording next, from Calla Records (issue # 181); The Naturals bring us the Young Generation. The flip to I Can’t Share You, I have no further information on this group.

The Ramrods then bring us Soul Express – Part 1. Issued on Rampage records (issue # 1003); yet another for which I can garner no information at all on either the group or the record label. Anyone out there able to help?

The next band need no introduction at all, it’s Maceo (Parker) And All The King’s Men. Maceo was the saxophonist for James Brown, Clinton’s Parliament & Funkadelic & Prince (to name just a few). Maceo still plays solo and has a huge following. This tune was released on House Of The Fox (issue # HOF1); but not sure of the date of issue.

A shift to Northern again, this time with The Delight’s Orchestra and “Paul’s Midnight Ride”. An instrumental, released on New York’s ATCO (issue #6601). Again, unsure of date of issue… but ‘tinternet chatter suggest 1968? NO idea at all who the artists were.

Shimmy, is next, from Toussaint McCall and released on Ronn Records from Shreveport (issue # 3). Very little information on the artist beyond he’s an R&B singer and organist. Issue date unknown.

Finally, we go out to Marlena Shaw from New York, with her haunting statement of the time “Woman Of The Ghetto”. Released on Chess (issue # 169549); Marlena brings us just over 4 minutes of the anguish of making ends meet whilst trying to raise a family in the ghettos of America during the late 60′s early 70′s. Marlena is probably equally well known for California Soul and both that and this tune have been heavily sampled many times over the years.

Hope you enjoy the tunes.

James Brown says Merry Xmas

Christmas, a time of goodwill, a time to chill, a time for family and a time to enjoy the things you love in life. Aside from spending time with my wife, my daughters, my family and my small circle of close friends; my spare time this Christmas will be spent cherishing my vinyl.

My recent rummage for “Xmas” tunes, revealed a few more than I expected (and I’m sure if I dig deeper in my “un-catalogued” boxes I will find many more).

Today’s mix, although consisting of “Xmas” tunes, is a really diverse range of tunes from alternate versions of Christmas classics, political tunes of the era, Clarence Carter’s back door shenanigans and a couple of James Brown’s seasonal offerings (oh… and of course, not forgetting… my favourite Xmas tune of all time: The Emotions and their Black Christmas).

I hope you enjoy today’s offering.

The Salem Travelers – Merry Christmas To You (Checker 10050); 1968
The Flirtations – Christmas Time Is Here Again (Deram 85036); 1968
Clarence Carter – Back Door Santa (Atlantic 2576); 1968
Electric Jungle – Funky Funky Christmas (Reissued compilation; In The Christmas Groove); 2009
James Brown – Soulful Christmas (A Soulful Christmas LP; King 1040); 1968
Marvin Gaye – I Want To Come Home For Christmas (Tamla 54229); not issued – taken from 1992 CD reissue of A Motown Christmas
Soul Duo – A Sad Christmas (Shiptown 131132); 1969
Kim Weston – Wish You A Merry Christmas (recording date unknown – previously unissued; taken from A Christmas Present From Motown CD, 2009)
The Emotions – Black Christmas (Volt 4053); 1970
Private Charles Bowen & The Gentlemen From Tigerland – Christmas In Vietnam (Rojac 111); 1966
Soul Searchers – Christmas In Viet Nam (Songbird 1187); 1968
The Emotions – What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas (Volt 4104); 1973
Carla Thomas – All I Want For Christmas Is You (Stax 206); 1966
Meditation Singers – Blue Christmas (Checker 10050); 1968
James Brown – Go Power At Christmas Time (James Brown’s Funky Christmas LP; unknown issue date); taken from CD re-issue.

Merry Xmas. Have a healthy, happy & prosperous new year.

James Brown

Damn!

Time has a habit of just getting away from me… apologies for the delay for part 3; this has been cued up ready to go for some time, but I’ve just not had time to sit and do it.

I’ve kept you waiting long enough for this, so without any further ado, here’s the third and final part of my James Brown “Funkin’ Genius!” trilogy… enjoy!

James Brown – Take Some, Leave Some
Vicki Anderson – Home Is Where The Hatred Is
James Brown – Stone To The Bone
Steve Soul – Popcorn With A Feeling
Vicki Anderson – I Want To Be In The Land Of Milk & Honey
James Brown – Shoot Your Shot
James Brown – Public Enemy (Parts 1 & 2)

Sex Machine

I don’t feel the need to ramble on… here’s part two of the James Brown “Funkin’ Genuis” mixes; part 2 – still a funkin’ genius.

Actually… I like to ramble on…

As I was bloggin’ this something on the hotel TV caught my ear… I love the way Northern Soul has become part of the mainstream consciousness / I hate the way Northern Soul has become part of the mainstream consciousness!

It was an advert for what’s-her-name the TV “chef” married to someone / daughter of that famous politician (you know the woman who is, we have to admit it, quite sexy) … my initial instinct was “that’s Barbara Acklin – Am I The Same Girl”… only there were no lyrics… so here I am sat in a West Midlands hotel room with a dodgy ‘tinternet connection and I just know I have an instrumental only version… but jiggered if I can remember who did it… and then it came to me… and I’m pissed off with myself for the time it took (and no, NO, I am not referring to the god-awful 80′s cover by Swing Out Sister with the artificial horns and drums – who murdered it both vocally and instrumentally); it is of course Young Hold Unlimited and their “Soulful Strut”.

I love the way TV brings Northern Soul to the mainstream / I HATE the way TV brings Northern Soul to the mainstream (more of that another time … maybe)

In the meantime; please enjoy part 2 (of 3) of the “James Brown – Funkin’ Genius” mix. See you soon for part 3.

Tonight I bring you:

Lyn Collins – Fly Me To The Moon
James Brown – Funky President
Vicki Anderson – Answer To Mother Popcorn (I Got A Mother For You)
Vicki Anderson – I’m Too Tough For Mr Big Stuff (Hot Pants)
Vicki Anderson – Supergood (Answer To Superbad) (Parts 1 & 2)
Vicki Anderson – The Message From The Soul Sister Parts 1 & 2
James Brown – Talking Loud And Sayin’ Nothing
James Brown – Mind Power
Lyn Collins – Think (About It)
Lyn Collins – Things Got To Get Better
James Brown – I Need Help (I Can’t Do It Alone)
James Crawford – Fat Eddie
James Brown – I’m A Greedy Man (Parts 1 & 2)
James Brown – King Heroin

James Brown

I was watching a romcom at the weekend (under some protest) and there was mention of Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock’s hit “It takes two”; I mentioned that the tune was sampled from a James Brown number (Lyn Collins’ – Think (About It)), as Mrs Bold seemed slightly disbelieving I pulled a copy and played it (once the ‘film’ had finished).

That audio delight, coupled with a recent flurry of James Brown chatter on a business networking site, made me want to dig again. I am sure I do not need to remind people what a genius James Brown was, but to keep his music forefront, it seemed appropriate to mix up some JB tunes for everyone’s audio pleasure…

What I ripped and mixed on Sunday was 3 hours of James Brown tunes; which I intend to drop in 3 parts. When I say “James Brown tunes” I actually mean tunes recorded by him, written by him and/or produced by him.

Tonight’s mix (part 1) has mostly James Brown recorded tunes, but the latter mixes will be those from the ‘House of Brown’ or covers of JB tunes. I hope you enjoy all three mixes.

Tonight’s has the following:

James Brown – There It Is (Parts 1 & 2)
Bobby Byrd – I Know You Got Soul (Parts 1 & 2)
The Dapps – Bringing Up The Guitar
Bobby Byrd – I Need Help (Parts 1 & 2)
East Of Underground – Popcorn
James Brown – Funky Drummer
James Brown – Sex Machine (Parts 1 & 2)
James Brown – Don’t Stop The Funk
James Brown – The Payback
James Brown – Doing The Best I Can

I’ll not ramble on any further… let’s let the Godfather of Soul’s music do the talkin’…

1619 BAB - World

I make mention of this in last Sunday’s post and thought I’d drop it in on its own. 1619 BAB (Bad Ass Band). I can find very little information on the band themselves, but I do know that this tune was recorded in 1973 and initially released on Brown Sugar (BS2003); before getting wider distribution with Chess later the same year (CH2147).

The group released an album on TSG (TSG801) in 1976 (or 77); simply titled “1619 Bad Ass Band”; which was re-released in 1978 on Graham International (GIR1980). Band members were Khalid Adbul Shalid (aka K. Lee Khalid?), Karl Harris, J. Silverman & ? Harris. World is credited to Karl Harris.

Mine is a promo copy of the second issue. World has, in my humble opinion, one of the best intros ever… it’s a sound that is instantly recognisable; strings and guitar lead us to the first shout of “World…”. Flip the vinyl for “For Your Love”, a fast funky bad-ass tune.

1619 BAB - World

Having just published Christopher CoShea’s ‘Blackbird Singing Acappella”; I found myself (unusually) with an hour or so spare, so took the opportunity to grab a few tunes and lay down a mix.

This is an eclectic mix of some of my more recent acquisitions, starting with First Choice and ‘Gonna Keep On Lovin Him‘; which is the flip of ‘Armed And Extremely Dangerous’ (which for reasons unknown – even to me – I pulled from the box during my recent search for Beware Of The Stranger); it has stayed out of its rightful place on the shelving (waiting for me to put it away) and, whilst rummaging through the tunes for today’s mix, I remembered I had liked the flip (hope you do too!). Released on Philly Groove Records (issue #175); it was recorded i n1973 and is just shy of 3 minutes of female vocal heaven. Next up is King Davis House Rockers, with ‘We All Make Mistakes Sometimes‘; which as far as I can tell is their only release on Verve (issue #10492); recorded in New York on February 13th, 1967, this tune is also a flip (to ‘Baby You Satisfy Me’). A male vocal and strings ballad that sits nicely on the ear on a Sunday morning. Following King Davis is another recent acquisition; something I have been coveting for many years, sadly not the Brown Sugar issue, but the second issue. 1619 BAB (Bad Ass Band) with ‘World‘ comes to you from the Chess issue (issue #2147, promo).  We leap to 1973 with this one; before stepping back a couple of years… Contributors Of Soul bring us ‘I Don’t Know‘ (see later for the flip).  Issued on New Miss records (issue #123): I can find no information about this tune, or the band, other than it’s from 1970 or 71 and was recorded in New York.

Contributors of Soul

The credits attribute the tune to ‘C Boyd & G Dickerson’… anyone any information? Next up is Johnny Guitar Watson and ‘Tarzan‘; am I alone in my reverence of this late, great, blues/funk player? I see very little Watson posted on vinyl-funkaliscious blogs… anyone who can pose with his own mother for the cover of their LP (titled ‘A Real Mother For Ya’) deserves so much more. Following in the footsteps of the late Mr Watson is Beres Hamilton with ‘Do This World A Favour‘; a mellow crossover nothern tune, which would not be out of place on any disco dance floor. An infectious tune; the version I bring you is a re-issue (the 33rpm, long version from the flip) on Joe Gibbs records (issue #9216); this is often available at the £5-£10 mark. Originally only available on LP (Just A Man, 1979). Next is more from the crossover/disco end of my tunes; Gene Page with ‘Satin Soul‘; a gentle string and guitar led instrumental. Primarily renowned for his work arranging Barry White’s sounds, I’m sure you’ll agree this 1974 issue on Atlantic (issue #3247) earns its place on the shelving.

All Points Bulletin Band

A Slight increase in tempo and change of direction next with All Points Bulletin Band and ‘Sexy Ways, Pretty Legs, part 1‘. Another band I can find little information on, they released a handful of singles on Little City Records from the mid 1970s (this one was issued in 1975 and is a promo of issue #10102). All Points are closely followed by Jerry McCain and ‘Funky Down Easy‘; Jerry was better known for his blues work, and his amusing lyrics, but this is a cracking blues/funk crossover found on the flip of (the highly amusing) ‘Welfare Cadilac Blues’. This tune was released in 1970 on Royal American records (issue ’4).

Reverting back to the Contributors of Soul this time with ‘Look What You Done For Me‘ see above for issue details. This is another crossover nothern tune; plenty of horns and anguished vocals…

The next tune might be a bit of a surprise for most, certainly was for me when I first heard it. Another re-issue, this time on Soul Intention (issue #004); it’s The Four Tops with ‘Love Enough To Care‘. I bring you the long (LP) version from the flip of the re-issue. This might not be everyone’s cup of tea; but for me it’s the epiphany of a Sunday mix. Close on the heels of the Tops, is Pulse another re-issue (Steet Soul, issue #5) with ‘Sunshine‘, an up-beat tune extolling the virtues of love.. “who can make me smile in the wink of any eye, oh baby, it’s you girl!”. Next up is the last of today’s re-issues (another Street Soul, issue #4) TK Murray brings us another crossover tune, ‘Brown Sugar‘, another song perfect for a Sunday; TK again extols the virtues of having someone to love.

Pulse

Wrapping up the mix are four original tunes, the last from LP. A Different Bag starts the final four with ‘Let’s Put It Together‘ a , released in 1976 on Bag records (issue #1001) I think this is a prime example of how eclectic my musical tastes are, whilst describing myself as a Soul/Funk fan, this embraces all aspects (R&B, Soul, Motown, Stax, Funk, Jazz-Funk, Northern, Crossover & Disco). Nu Sound Express Ltd are next with ‘Ain’t It Good Enough‘ ,issued on Silver Dollar records (issue #152), in 1970. I have a soft spot for any tune where people seem to be enjoying themselves, and these guys sure seem to be; coupled with the wicked horn and guitar, a winner – keen ears will detect the sample included in DJ Shadow and Cut Chemists Brainfreeze (a mix which sent so many of us scurrying for the record shops to unearth the tunes). Last of the 45′s dropped in today’s mix is an Eddie Bo tune, Oliver Morgan brings us ‘The La La Man Pt 2‘ I had intended to play part1, but tune was mixing in before I realised the error… released on Seven B (issue #7007), issued in 1966, this is a classic example of the talent that we knew and loved as Edwin Bocage. RIP Mr Bo.

Finally, a version of a tune that I have loved since I first heard it on the radio as a pre-pubescent spotty, skinny, kid. It’s Isaac Hayes and ‘Shaft II‘ taken from LP, this was released in 1978 and is clearly influenced by the emergence of disco.

Hope you enjoy the tunes.

Regular visitors will recognise the name Christopher CoShea  Campbell; he’s cropped up in a couple of previous posts; specifically he narrated the Eddie & Ernie post and I dropped his cover of Standing At The Crossroads into part 4 of my “Funk, Jazz, Disco?” mixes.

For non-regular visitors, Christopher CoShea Campbell is the son of the late Eddie Campbell (of Eddie & Ernie fame); but a talented musician in his own right.

For some time Christopher CoShea and I have been discussing the dropping of another of his tunes (this time an original composition) into another Bootsy (Collins) influenced mix. However, despite my Bootsy collection continuing to expand I am finding less and less time to be able to stand at the decks mixing. So, after some more discussion we agreed it would be cool to just drop this tune on you all … as a world exclusive!

In his own words I’ll let Christopher CoShea tell you about the song and his upcoming album:

“This is an original track from my upcoming solo funk rock album which will consist of 14 original songs, including my cover of Eddie and Ernie’s song Standing at the Crossroads.

“The guitar heavy album which is written and produced by me, and I’m playing all of the instruments, is an amalgam of influences that ranges from Hendrix, Parliament-Funkadelic, early Prince, Bootsy to Zeppelin & Bowie. But also along with the musicality are pop hooks and radio friendliness.”

The (Young) Rascals - A Beautiful Morning

All throughout the time leading up to, and during, this year’s Wimbledon tennis championship the BBC were playing snippets of this tune. Hearing it again sent me digging and I pulled it, ripped it and scanned it (with the intention of posting here during that time; unfortunately work got in the way).

Better late than never (?) tonight’s offering is from a ‘blue-eyed’ soul band. The Rascals (originally The Young Rascals) were responsible for a number of singles during their first incarnation (1965-1972); with tonight’s offering from January 1968.

A Beautiful Morning is exactly as the name suggests, an up-beat offering extolling the joy of being outside (“It’s a beautiful morning; I think I’ll go outside a while and just smile; just take in some clean fresh air, boy. Ain’t no sense in staying inside, If the weather’s fine and you got the time, It’s your chance to wake up and plan another brand new day. Either way, It’s a beautiful morning when the sun is shining…“) a vocal led song with an up-tempo back-beat. The only thing I don’t like about this song is the rather harsh fade at the end – can catch you unawares.

Rainy Day on the other hand is a piano led ballad, a rather dreamy sound with an unexpected (and unwelcome) jump to some super fast violins half way through – ruins what could be a great slow-dancer.

The band constituted Eddie Brigati on vocals, Felix Cavaliere on keyboard and vocals, Gene Cornish  on guitar and Dino Danelli  on drums. Despite the apparent continued success; Brigati left the group in 1970, followed by Cornish in 1971.

After the Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary Celebration (1988), the Rascals reunited for a brief reunion tour; but Brigati opted not to participate. The (Young) Rascals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and for the first time in years, all four original members appeared together and in 2010 all four members of the Rascals reunited for the Kristen Ann Carr benefit.

Jesse Anderson

I’ve mentioned before how work has a habit of getting in the way, but I am determined to use these late nights in hotels to share some of my favourite tunes. Tonight’s offering is from Jesse Anderson; I bought this for the flip (his instrumental cover of the Curtis Mayfield (and Baby Huey) song “Mighty Mighty”). This version is, I believe, a very catchy up-tempo sound with some great guitar, flute and a wicked drum break.

However, when I pulled this record at the weekend I realised that although I grabbed a few copies of this (some spares to trade with if anyone is interested), I’d never really paid the A-side much attention. I’m pleased to say, having played it through a couple of times, that I love it!

“I Got A Problem” is a funky vocal, where we share Jesse’s pain at balancing his lover(s) with his wife… “my wife is number 1, my woman is number 2, but my woman will do things for me that my wife wouldn’t do…”

Manship lists this side as Northern, I can’t ever recall hearing it spun, but I remember less and less these days

Manship books this at £20, that’s quite a bit more than I paid per copy and more than we usually see it change hands for.

A recent post on YouTube suggested that Jesse is still very much alive: “Jesse Anderson is alive and well, living in Wichita, KS. He has recently released Funk N Blues, an album compilation of his songs from the 70′s. He’s working again with Gene Barge on some new material and possible record deal. ” and indeed, having dug a little deeper I see the CD is available on Amazon and thankfully includes these very tracks.

Jesse Anderson left home (Muskogee, Oklahoma) at the age of 19, in 1960, and travelled to Chicago with a band of like minded musicians to make vinyl for Federal Records. After releasing several records the group disbanded and Jesse returned to Chicago and work with a number of artists (Earl Hooker, Pinetop Perkins, Otis Rush, Jimmy Johnson and Syl Johnson) and became a recording artist under the production of Gene Barge, writing several hits together and recording for Chess Records, Thomas Records and Outta Sight Records.

Jesse co-wrote Somebody Loan Me a Dime which was recorded by Boz Scaggs and The Blues Brothers. Buddy Guy covered “I Got A Problem”, and Tyrone Davis did Let Me Back In. Jesse is an accomplished funky saxophonist and was frontman on several recordings and also plays guitar (often filling in for Earl Hooker). When rap music came into the scene, it affected many blues artists in the 70′s as radio stations wanted to get with the new sound, deserting the blues; at this time Jesse took a sabbatical.

I truly hope that this compilation brings Jesse some well deserved recognition (and money!). In the meantime, enjoy…

Billy Guy : You Move Me

A quick midweek drop to share one of my recent acquisitions with you, listed as “Billy Guy & The Coasters”. I am sure The Coasters need no introduction with a list of band members longer than my arm… today’s offering is from Billy Guy (30/06/1936 to 05/11/2002).

Born Delmar Phillips on June 30, 1936 in Itasca, (Hill County), Texas. Billy moved to Hollywood at the tender age of ten;  started acting as a child and worked in Johnny Otis’ new club The Oasis in the mid 1950s. He became very popular in the south of California, and is believed to be a one time member the Emeralds, Billy also recorded with Emmanuel Perez as Bip & Bop (Guy was Bip). He was invited to join the Coasters by Carl Gardner, who lived across the street in Watts. Billy stayed with the Coasters up to 1973 on recordings and acted lead on most of the Coasters’ later recordings – starting with Searchin’ and later The Shadow Knows, Wake Me, Shake Me, Wild One, Wait A Minute, Little Egypt, and the notorious Let’s Go Get Stoned. Guy continued his solo career for Chalco, Sew City, Verve and other companies and did singles as Billy Guy & The Coasters in 1975

Billy, who lived near Las Vegas during his later years, lost his wife June several years earlier and lived with girlfriend Vanessa Van Klyde for 30 years until his death. He was the victim of bad business advice during later years. Billy Guy died in his home at sleep (from a suspected heart attack) in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 5, 2002.

His releases appear to be:

• Ding Ding Dong/Du-Wada-Du  on Aladdin (#3287) in 1955 as Bip and Bop
• As Quiet As It’s Kept/Here I Am on ABC Paramount (#10320) in 1962
• It Don’t Take Much/She’s A Humdinger on ABC Paramount (#10397) in 1962
• Whip It On Me, Baby/Women (aka The Prophet) on Double-L (#719) in 1963
• Foxy Lady/?? on Chalco exact date unknown
• I’m Sorry ‘Bout That/Lookin’ Like A Nut Nut on GuyJim (#GJ-587) believed to be 1967 as The New Way
• Lookin’ Like A Nut Nut/Here ‘Tis on Sew City (#109) in 1967 as Billy Guy & The Odds ‘N’ Ends
• If You Want To Get Ahead, Shake A Leg/I’m Sorry About That on Verve (#10485) in 1967
• Let Me Go Getto/?? on All Platinum (#2320) in 1970
• The Ugly/Hug One Another on All Platinum (#2323) in 1971
• All I Need Is Love/Shake A Leg on Bell (#124) in 1971 as Happy (also released as Happy Cats)
• Watergate (Put Some Funk On, Cause The Money’s Been Long Gone)/Hockey-Puck on Black Circle (#102) believed to be 1970′s as Billy Guy and The Coasters
• You Move Me/Take It Easy Greasy on Sal-Wa (#1001) in 1975 as Billy Guy and The Coasters
• Ain’t No Greens In Harlem/Jumbo Bwana on Polydor (#2040-273) in 1977 as Billy Guy and The Coasters

The track in bold above is the only one in my collection (so far) and that is a recent purchase (from the ‘bay); have a listen and see what you think.

Tonight, as I sit sweltering in a West Midlands hotel room (again); I am determined to share a few tunes that have ‘haunted’ me for a number of years…

Wanted Dead or Alive - Voices of East Harlem

Many, many, years ago I remember hearing a tune that captivated me, grabbed me, slapped me and left me dazed, but begging for more. For years I was convinced I knew what this tune was and after much scouring found a copy and grabbed it.

When the vinyl plopped on my doormat you cannot imagine my disappointment to discover that, although essentially the song I remembered… something was amiss, not least that the vocals were female!

The tune I had been carrying in my head all these years had the line “wanted, dead or alive; distinguishing features, he’s got cold and shifty eyes” and I had mistakenly assumed it was the following: Cold and Shifty Eyes... yes, Female Vocals?!?!

However, it was not the Voices of East Harlem – Wanted Dead or Alive that I had been coveting, recorded in 1974 (I later came to realise that this was later than the version I had been seeking – making it the ‘cover’ and I put cover in inverted commas as it does not share the same name… confused? stay with me; all will be revealed!).

Released on Just Sunshine Records (JSA-517) the Voices of East Harlem’s “Wanted Dead or Alive” is a tune in its own right and worthy of a spin. Discussions with my friend James (Curry Music) convinced me to check the album version: Still not what I sought...

But even this did not quench my thirst for that tune I’d heard all those years ago…

So, inspired to dig further I delved deep into the archives of the global interwebbynet thingy and eventually, I surfaced this: Found it!

Hypnotics - Beware of the Stranger

And here my journey ends, with a smile on my face that (at last) I had sourced that elusive tune I’d heard (far too) many years before, I finally had Hypnotics’ Beware of the Stranger…

Released on Reprise Records (REP-1140); laid down in 1973 it is interesting to note that Beware of the Stranger is written by James Thompson and E. Dixon; a quick check of the label for the Voices of East Harlem’s “Wanted Dead or Alive” confirms it is indeed the same tune, albeit released with a different title.

I know which version I prefer and I suspect, having read this far (thank you), you know my preference; but as is the case with all music, my preference is personal and subjective. I invite you to listen to the two versions (3 if you include the LP version) and make your own mind up.

If time (work!) permits I hope to be back soon with another Bootsy, Funkadelic or Parliament mix with a special (exclusive?) drop of Christopher CoShea Campbell’s new cut of “Blackbird Singing Accapella”…

Eddie Campbell & Ernie Johnson

I’ve been promising to do this for some time and when Christopher CoShea Campbell (Eddie’s son) got in touch, I decided this was the catalyst I needed. Christopher is the son of the late William Edgar Campbell, aka Eddie Campbell, of ‘Eddie & Ernie’ fame and as you may know, Christopher recently featured on a Hook & Sling article (if you missed it… go here!) and then got in touch with me to discuss our shared admiration of Collins, Clinton, etc.. Christopher has kindly agreed to give his personal thoughts on the Eddie & Ernie tunes I have in my collection.

Eddie & Ernie were William Edgar Campbell (23/12/1940 to 10/7/1994) and Ernest Johnson (22/10/1943 to 20/8/2005); prolific songwriters and artists who performed with “The Crusaders”, “The Heavenly Travellers”, “The All Stars” and “Little Worley & The Drops” before setting up as the duo “Eddie & Ernie“. Eddie & Ernie’s discography is much larger than the 9 singles I have in my collection (highlighted in bold below); during their partnership they released the following (I have omitted tunes they release independently or as part of larger groups):

1963:
It’s A Weak Man That Cries / Who’s That Knocking On My Door – Nightingale (5102)
It’s A Weak Man That Cries / Who’s That Knocking At My Door – Checker (1057)

1964:

That’s The Way It Is / Time Wait’s For No One – Tomorrow (5105)
Time Waits For No One / That’s The Way It Is – Eastern (602)
Black label, silver writing. Both songs are credited to C. Derrick & C. Kendrick as well as E. Johnson & E. Campbell (Ernie & Eddie).
Time Waits For No One / That’s The Way It Is – Checker (1086)

1965:
I’m A Young Man / Turn Here – Eastern (603)
The Cat / Turn Here – Eastern (603)
Silver label, black writing. Both songs credited to Eddie & Ernie, plus H. Murrell on “The Cat”.
I’m Goin’ For Myself / The Cat – Eastern (606)
Silver label, black writing. Both songs credited to Eddie & Ernie, plus H. Murrell on “The Cat”.
Outcast / I’m Gonna Always Love You Eastern (608)
Matt  silver label, black writing and black lines. Both songs credited to Eddie & Ernie. Outcast is my favourite Eddie & Ernie tune…

1966:
I Can’t Do It (I Just Can’t Leave You) / Lost Friends - Eastern (609)
I Believe She Will / We Try Harder – Shazam (1004)

1967:
I Beleive She Will / We Try Harder – Chess (1984)
White label, DJ copy, black writing, misspelling of “Believe”. “We Try Harder” credited to Eddie only (“I Believe She Will” to Eddie & Ernie).
Doggone It / Falling Tears (Indian Drums) – Columbia (44276)
White label, DJ copy, red writing. Both tracks credited to Eddie & Ernie.

1970:
Woman, What Do You Be Doing / Thanks For Yesterday – Revue (11049)
Orange label, yellow logo, black writing. “Woman, What You Be Doing” credited to H. Murrell & Ernie and “Thanks For Yesterday” to Pete James & Ernie.

1971:
You Give Me Love To Go On / Tell It Like It Is – Revue (11063)
Orange label, yellow logo, black writing. “You Give Me Love To Go On” credited to Eddie & Ernie & Pete James and “Tell It Like It Is” to G. Davis & L. Diamond.
Hiding In Shadows / Standing At The Crossroads – Buddah (250)
Technicolour label, DJ copy, black writing. “Hiding In Shadows” credited to Charles Richard Cason and “Standing At The Crossroads” to Eddie & Ernie and Pete James.

Audibly presenting each the songs I own, here’s Christopher’s comments on each track:

Time Waits For No-One
That's The Way It Is

Christopher: “Time Waits For No One…. It was a major hit in New York City landing the #1 spot on the New York station WWRL. This got them a show at the Apollo Theatre on the bill with The Temptations and Wilson Pickett. I have always dug this song. I can see why it was a hit.

“That’s The Way It Is…. A good song and what I call a cool ”Go Go” type of track. A lively, up tempo cut. Right in line with what was happening in r&b at the time. Good flipside to Time Waits For No One. It shows their versatility as songwriters as well as vocalists.”

Turn Here
The Cat

Christopher: “Turn Here… One thing I always felt about Eddie and Ernie’s material was on certain tracks, they showed they had the ability to add another element to the r&b soul sound of their material. What I phrase as a ‘crossover sensibility’. My father certainly had that in his solo recordings and writings as well.

“The Cat… A fun, novelty song. One of the only instances where Eddie &Ernie actually tapped into a trend that was happening at that time in r&b music. It was popular to have a song with the word “Cat” in the title for some reason since there were several other artists who were including it as well.”

I'm Going For Myself
The Cat

Christopher: “I’m Going For Myself… A great song. What I dig mostly about this is the strong gospel vocal phrasing as well as my father’s choice of chords and his guitar playing which on this, is straight ‘church’. An underrated track by Eddie & Ernie, I feel.”

Outcast
I'm Gonna Always Love You

Christopher: “Outcast… Here is another example of what I mentioned earlier about Eddie & Ernie’s ability to infuse another type of element into an r&b song. My father, being the musician of the two, wrote all of their original material on the guitar. My father’s playing style and other musical tastes besides r&b would often come out in some of Eddie & Ernie’s material. This being one of them. No accident the British rock band The Animals dug this song and did a cover version of it on their album Animalism a year after Eddie & Ernie’s.

“I’m Gonna Always Love You… The flip side to the Outcast 45 single which again showcased Eddie & Ernie’s versatility as songwriters and vocalists. As always, great vocals by my dad and Ernie. Their vocals were nicely blended on this and it showcases my father’s lower vocal register.”

We Try Harder
I Believe She Will

Christopher: “We Try Harder… Another what I call ‘Go Go’ type of track. It has a great hook too. Again, my dad’s guitar playing keeps it kicking and well executed vocals by Eddie & Ernie. Much like Outcast, this has a mid 60′s rock slant to it. Again, another example of my father’s taste in music that went beyond r&b.

“I Believe She Will… Very nice vocals and I like my father’s guitar playing on this as well. Again, good flip side to the We Try Harder 45.”

Doggone It
Falling Tears (Indian Drums)

Christopher: “Doggone It… This song has always reminded of some of my father’s solo material. Nice horn sounds and very spirited vocals from both Eddie &Ernie.

“Falling Tears (Indian Drums)… Aaaah, one of my favorites by Eddie &Ernie. This is a perfect example of my father’s musical tastes and how he incorporated that into Eddie & Ernie’s original material. This song is certainly NOT your standard r&b soul song. Lyrically or musically. Great chord changes and great arrangement. A VERY underrated song. I remember when I was really young seeing my father playing his guitar and singing this song at home.”

Woman, What Do You Be Doing
Thanks For Yesterday

Christopher: “Woman What Do You Be Doing… A much more ‘boogie’ styled track than other Eddie & Ernie material. Good vocals and horns.

“Thanks For Yesterday… A very nice ballad with yet again, very tasteful guitar playing by my father. The last recording of Eddie and Ernie as a duo.”

You Give Me Love To Go On
Tell It Like It Is

Christopher: “You Give Me Love To Go On… Definitely one of the more funk based cuts Eddie & Ernie recorded as a duo. Even has a slight Sly and the Family Stone vibe to it in spots.

“Tell It Like It Is… A rare time Eddie and Ernie has done a cover. Cool version of it too.”

Hiding In Shadows
Standing At The Crossroads

Christopher: “Hiding In Shadows… One of my favorite songs by my father. This along with the flip side Standing at the Crossroads was a 45 single that was billed incorrectly. This song, along with Standing at the Crossroads was recorded AFTER Eddie and Ernie had disbanded as a duo. These two songs are solo recordings of my father doing all of the vocals, lead and backing, alone. Great production by my father and Ray Jackson. This was intended for my father’s solo album. Underrated song.

“Standing at the Crossroads… Obviously my all time favorite song to be released of my father’s. This along with Hiding In Shadow” as I mentioned, was a solo vocal recording by my father. Prior to this recording, Eddie & Ernie had already broken up and went their separate ways. My father, mother and myself had already moved up here to Hollywood, California specifically for my father’s solo career. Both Standing at the Crossroads and Hiding In Shadows were recorded up here in Los Angeles with Ray Jackson on piano and James Gadson on drums (both who later went on to tour in Bill Wither’s backing band) and were recorded with many other songs that have remained unreleased that were intended for my father’s solo album. James Jamerson, famed Motown bassist and friend of my father’s, is playing bass on Standing at the Crossroads.

“Hadley Murrell, a former dj turned record promoter/producer who was at the time my father’s business asscociate, knowing Standing at the Crossroads and Hiding In Shadows were both great songs, wanted a rush release while the iron was hot. He took them to Neil Bogart’s Buddah Records and because of my father’s most known past releases had been billed as Eddie and Ernie, that’s how it was billed on the Buddah 45.

“Similar scenerio with last year’s release by Daptone Records with my father’s solo recording with Bullets Don’t Have Eyes. Anyway, my father’s recording of Standing at the Crossroads written along with Ernie and Pete James, to me, is one of the great ballads, ever. Fantastic, heart felt vocals, great overdub harmonizing by my father. Again, this as well as Hiding In Shadows are perfect examples of my father’s singing in full flight. This captured by Ray Jackson’s fantastic production with the orchestration on Standing at the Crossroads. A totally underrated masterpiece.”

The Brides of Funkenstein

Jazz, Funk, Disco?

Pt IV – To the end of the LP shelf

Welcome back once again crate diggers, completing the recent theme, here are even more tunes for which I’m not really sure the appropriate ‘genre’ label. It’s possible that some of these tunes might be defined as Jazz-Funk, some might be Funk and some might even be classed as Disco.

As with the previous 3 mixes these are monster tunes from monster artists and come from LPs produced between the late 60′s and mid 80′s.

In today’s mix I bring you Parliament, Gary Toms Empire, Ohio Players, The Brides Of Funkenstein and, as promised, the special addition from Christopher CoShea Campbell, with his version of his Dad’s song Standing At The Crossroads:

• Big Footin’ -Parliament
• Fire – Ohio Players
• I Call My Baby Pussycat – Parliament
• Gary’s Love Theme – Gary Toms Empire
• The Motor Booty Affair – Parliament
• The Freeze (Sizzleenmean) – Parliament
• Far East Mississippi – Ohio Players
• Water Sign – Parliament
• Amorous – The Brides Of Funkenstein
• Disco To Go- The Brides Of Funkenstein
• Christopher CoShea Campbell – Standing At The Crossroads

Christopher is the son of the late William Edgar Campbell, aka Eddie Campbell, of ‘Eddie & Ernie’ fame. As you may know, Christopher recently featured on a Hook & Sling article (if you missed it… go here!) and got in touch with me to ask if I’d like to drop his cover into one of my mixes (and to discuss our shared passion for Bootsy Collins (Parliament, Funkadelic, etc.). Christopher says “I grew up listening to them heavily … as an artist I am definitely bringing them back sound-wise and style-wise in my original material in my upcoming album”)… I for one look forward to hearing it!

Pop back soon for an Eddie & Ernie special mix where Christopher shares his memories of his dad’s music…

Wayne Henderson - Emphasized

Jazz, Funk, Disco?

Pt III – Further along the LP shelf

Welcome back crate diggers, continuing the ongoing theme, here are some more tunes for which I’m not really sure the appropriate ‘genre’ label. It’s possible that some of these tunes might be defined as Jazz-Funk, some might be Funk and some might even be classed as Disco.

As before these are monster tunes from monster artists and come from LPs produced between the late 60′s and mid 80′s. This is part 3 of 4.

In today’s mix I bring you Parliament, P-Funk All Stars, Wayne Henderson, Funkadelic, George Clinton, Gary Toms Empire, The Whole Darn Family and the Ohio Players; 12 tunes for you to sit back and enjoy with the brew (or smoke) or your choice:

• Agony of DeFeet -Parliament
• Acupuncture – P-Funk All Stars
• Get The Ants Out Ya Pants – Wayne Henderson
• Get Off Your Ass And Jam/Night Of The Thumpasorus People – Funkadelic/Parliament/George Clinton
• Man’s Best Friend – George Clinton
• She’s Something Else – Gary Toms Empire
• Body Language – Parliament
• Last Dance – George Clinton
• Who’d She Coo? – Ohio Players
• Skin Tight – Ohio Players
• Seven Minutes Of Funk – The Whole Darn Family

If this music is to your liking be sure to pop back soon for part 4, which has the special addition from Christopher CoShea Campbell that I referred to before.

Ultra Funky!

Jazz, Funk, Disco?

Pt II – More from the LP shelf

Welcome back crate diggers, continuing the theme I started the other week, here’s some more tunes for which I’m not really sure the appropriate ‘genre’ label. It’s possible that some of these tunes might be defined as Jazz-Funk, some might be Funk and some might even be classed as Disco.

As before these are monster tunes from monster artists and come from LPs produced between the late 60′s and mid 80′s. I expect this to be part 2 of 4, based on the number of LPs I’m pulling from the shelves.

In today’s mix I bring you Ultrafunk, Gary Toms Empire, P-Funk All Stars, George Clinton, Parliament and the Ohio Players; whilst only 11 tunes in this mix, it’s 66 minutes long; so as always grab a seat, or pull on your dancing shoes and enjoy:

• Who Is He (What Is He To You) – Ultrafunk
• Everybody Up – Ohio Players
• 1-2-3-4 (Let’s Do It Again) – Gary Toms Empire
• Generator Pop – P-Funk All Stars
• Party People – Parliament
• Computer Games – George Clinton
• Love Rollercoaster – Ohio Players
• Use Me – Ultrafunk
• Say It – Ohio Players
• My Ladies Run Me Crazy – Ohio Players
• Kung Fu Man – Ultrafunk

If this music is to your liking be sure to pop back soon for parts 3 and 4, including a special addition from Christopher CoShea Campbell (son of the late William Edgar Campbell, aka Eddie Campbell of ‘Eddie & Ernie’ fame).

Brass Construction - Masters of Rhythm

Jazz, Funk, Disco?

Pt I – Along the shelf to “C”

Welcome back crate diggers, I thought I’d pillage my LP shelves and pull some tunes for which I’m not really sure the appropriate ‘genre’ label. It’s possible that some of these tunes might be defined as Jazz-Funk, some might be Funk and some might even be classed as Disco.

Whatever genre label we apply to the tunes, these are monster tunes from monster artists and come from LPs produced between the late 60′s and early 80′s. I have pulled together approximately 90 minutes, yet only covered “A-C” on the shelf, so expect a few more mixes in the coming days…

In today’s mix I bring you William Collins (in the guises of William “Bootsy” Collins, Bootsy’s Rubber Band & Bootsy); The Average White Band, The Blackbyrds, Brass Construction and Brick:

• The Blackbyrds – Funkie Junkie
• Bootsy – Fat Cat
• The Blackbyrds – Do It Fluid
• William Bootsy Collins – Landshark (Just When I Thought It Was Safe)
• Average White Band – Person to Person
• Bootsy – F-Encounter
• Brick – Dazz
• Brass Construction – Changin’
• Brick – Good High
• William Bootsy Collins – #1 Funkateer Excon (of Love)
• The Blackbyrds – Walking In Rhythm
• Brass Construction – Love
• The Blackbyrds – The Blackbyrds’ Theme
• Bootsy’s Rubber Band – She Jam (Almost Bootsy Show)
• William Bootsy Collins – Countracula (This One’s For You)
• Brass Construction – Movin’
• Average White Band – Feel No Fret

If this music is your thing, I suggest you kick back, pull on the headphones and enjoy…

The Late Rufus Thomas (in action at WattsStax)

Hot on the heels of last Sunday’s mix (posted earlier); here’s the mix I threw together this morning.

As is often the case, all taken from 45 (no LPs this time) and mostly from original copies.

This was another “grab and play” session without much thought for anything really, just grabbing tunes and dropping the needle.

I hope there’s something in this mix that grabs you!

Track list:

• The Gaturs – The Booger Man – Gatur (508)
• Thomas East – Sister Funk Part 1 – True Soul (004)
• Howard Wales – Huxley’s Howl – Coastal (101)
• Eddie Bo & Inez Cheatham – Lover And A Friend – Capitol (2150)
• Bernie Hayes – Cool Strut Part 1 – Volt (4047)
• J R Bailey – We Need Love – Virgo (101)
• The Noble Knights – Sing A Simple Song – Cotillion (44030)
• Eugine Blacknell – We Know We Got To Live Together Part 1 – Seaside (4112)
• The Dap Kings – Nervous Like Me – Kay-Dee (003)
• Rufus Thomas – Sophisticated Sissy – Stax (221)
• The Diplomatics – Hum-Bug Part 1 – Lamp (7004)
• All The People – Cramp Your Style – Blue Candle (1496)
• Louis Chachere – The Hen Part 1 – Paula (321)
• The Deacons – Sock It To Me Part 1 – Shama (100)
• Chester Randel’s Soul Sender’s – Soul Brother’s Testify – Anla (102)
• Skip Easterling – Keep The Fire Burning – Alon (9033)
• James Crawford – Fat Eddie – King (6130)
• Mickey & The Soul Generation – Joint Session – Maxwell (806)

Enjoy the tunes… if I can avoid getting roped into some chores, I’m off to pillage my LP shelf…

Mary Jane Hooper - She Had Reasons!

Hi, I have really been struggling to find the time to get bloggin’… so many tunes queued up for your audio delight and so little time to blog them up for you.

I’ve bagged a few great tunes recently that I hope to be able to share with you real soon. Amongst recent acquisitions are: Voices of East Harlem – Wanted, Dead or Alive; Lee Dorsey – Four Corners; Bobby Byrd – If You Don’t Work, You Don’t Eat; Vibrettes – Humpty Dump (green label); Dynamics – Ain’t No Sun; Marvin Gaye – One More Heartache; The Dapps – Bringing Up The Guitar and a few LPs too (couple of Dynamics & Voices of East Harlem)

I also watched with interest a copy of Third Guitar – Baby Don’t Cry on the ‘Bay the other day (I’d bagged a copy for some large notes a few years back) and was delighted to see it’s still holding it’s ground when one appears, finally selling for US$660… should I ever decide to part with my Mint copy I have some bargaining power for some of those elusive tunes!

Back to blogging… I really wanted this site to be a regular update, but work has a nasty habit of getting in the way! That said I did manage, last Sunday, to throw some tunes on the decks which I thought I’d share for you.

The mix is typically eclectic (as are my tastes). I’ve always wanted to start a mix with Deodato… having done so I’m not sure I ever would again… interested to hear your views on it?

The track list:

• Deodato – Also Sprach Zarathustra – CTI (12)
• Billy Larkin & The Delegates – Funky Fire – Kola Shanah (7007)
• Calvin Arnold – Funky Way – Venture (605)
• Mary Jane Hooper – I’ve Got Reasons – PowerPac (2053)
• The Black Exotics – Theme Of Blackbyrds – Funk45 (38)
• Barrabas – Mellow Blow – Atco (7036)
• The Gaturs – Cold Bear – Gatur (508)
• Camille Bob – 2 Weeks, 2 Days, Too Long – Soul Unlimited (102)
• The Show Stoppers – Shake Your Mini – Show Time (111)
• Marlena Shaw – Brother Where Are You – Cadet (15753)
• Candy Phillips – Timber Part 1 – Atlantic (2290)
• Harvey Scales And The Seven Sounds – The Funky Yolk – Chess (2089)
• Camille Bob – Brother Brown – Soul Unlimited (102)

Happy listening…

Montclairs - Hung Up On Your Love (Honest!)

What can I say, that most of you don’t already know… a fantastic mid 70′s release on Paula that become a favourite on the Northern Soul scene, virtually from its first play. I remember the first time I heard it, early 80′s all-nighter… hooked!

Mistakenly released as a misprint on Paula (381) instead of “How Can One Man Live” before it’s official release, again on Paula (390), these two versions command reasonable prices when they do arise; with the misprints fetching up to £40 and the actual issue up to £100.

I am lucky enough to own both, so have included both here for your audio-delight tonight.

The Montclairs were a vocal group from East St. Louis, Illinois reportedly named after a brand of cigarettes! Originally comprised of Phil Perry lead singer, David Frye, George McLellan, Kevin Sanlin and Clifford “Scotty” Williams they were representative of the vocal group resurgence of the 70′s when sweet vocals were fashionable.

Montclairs - Hung Up On Your Love

Their first single “Hey You! Don’t Fight It!” was recorded in 1969 on Arch Records (1305), but was only distributed in the St. Louis area. The following year they began recording for Oliver Sain at his Archway Studio. It was Sain who arranged for the group to sign to Paula Records (of Shreveport, Louisiana).

Whilst with Paula they released a few hits that charted: “Dreamin’ Out Of Season” (1972), “Make Up For Lost Time” (1974) and “Baby You Know (I’m Gonna Miss You)” (1974). They also released an album, “Dreamin’ Out Of Season” (1972) from which the track “Prelude To A Heartbreak”/”I Need You More Than Ever” was released as a single the following year.

The Montclairs also recorded tracks for Vanessa, Premium and United International. In 1974, Clifford Williams was drafted into the U.S. military and the group continued as a quartet until, when they left Paula in 1975, they disbanded. Like so many of the favourites of the Northern Soul scene, it’s such a shame these people didn’t get the recognition they so rightly deserved.

Bonnie & Lee : The Way I Feel About You

As requested by a visitor, today’s 45 is Bonnie & Lee’s “I Need Ya (Gotta Have You For My Own)” & “The Way I Feel About You”.

My copy is a DJ Promo issue (as shown) with a black and white label, the issue has blue and white stripes and “Fairmount” is in red.

When I was asked to feature this my first reaction (to myself) was “Bonnie & who? Do I own it?”

I think that’s because I’ve not played it much which itself is probably due to the A side (I Need Ya) being a ballad…

However, flip it and “The Way I Feel About You” is classic Northern Soul.

I can’t find any information on Bonnie & Lee, nor a discography. There appears to be no evidence of this record having been bootlegged or re-issued (probably due to its low value, c£20). Anyway… rather that me waffle on… enjoy the sounds.

The Capitols

Happy new year.

I hope, like me, you had a great night last night and enjoyed some good food, beers and great music with friends…

Just a quick post to make my latest mix available for your audio pleasure… it’s an eclectic mix, 65 minutes or so in length, mostly Northern Soul, some new tunes and a smattering of Funk.

I hope to be back later with a 45 post specifically requested by a visitor, in the meantime I hope you enjoy today’s mix.

Cool Jerk ’68 Instrumental – The Capitols
I’ve Been Turned On – Jo Armstead
How Long Has It Been – The Casinos
Um Um Um Um Um Um – Major Lance
If I Could Only Be Sure – Nolan Porter
Happy Days – The Magictones
Come On Train (instr) – Don Thomas
There Was A Time – James Brown and the Fabulous Flames
That’s Enough – Rosco Robinson
Turning My Heartbeat Up – The M.V.P.’s
Mercy (instr) – The Third Degree
Beggin’ – Franki Valli & The 4 Seasons
Trying To Find My Woman – Lou Courtney
Opelia – Tim Tam
Tears (Nothing But Tears) – Lee Roye
Mean So Much – Cannibal & The Headhunters
Promised Land – Cheyenne
I’ve Got The Fever – Creation
The Gallop – Chevelles
Sliced Tomatoes – Just Brothers
There Was A Time – Jimmy Lynch
Hitch It To The Horse – Fantastic Johnny C
The Mule – James Boys
I’ll Bet You – Billy Butler
Go Go Girl – Lee Dorsey
Night Owl – Bobby Paris

Bill Withers

Happy in-between holidays.

If, like me, you use this time as an opportunity to catch up on some good music; I hope today’s offering is a double helping of audio delight.

For a long time now I’ve often mulled over which version of a number of songs I prefer and, if I’m honest, my preference changes over time according to my mood/needs at the time.

A recent discussion with James (of CurryMusic.com) on our preferences for Harlem (Bill Withers v Creative Source), prompted today’s mixes; tracks that have been recorded by different artists; so that you too can ponder your preferences.

There are two mixes today, both contain the same songs, but recorded by different artists. Some are very similar, some are wildly different.

Mix 1:

Hard Times – Baby Huey & The Babysitters
Who Is He (And What Is He To You?) – Bill Withers
Stoned Out Of My Mind – The Chi-Lites
Harlem – Bill Withers
Light My Fire – Jackie Wilson
Gimme Shelter – Merry Clayton
Tighten Up – The Night Men
Use Me – Bill Withers

Mix 2:

Light My Fire – Tammi Lynn
Stoned Out Of My Mind – Mary Ann Farra & The Satin Soul
Who Is He (And What Is He To You?) – Creative Source
Harlem – Creative Source
Gimme Shelter – Cal Tjader
Tighten Up – Archie Bell & The Drells
Hard Times – Curtis Mayfield
Use Me – Isaac Hayes

The Emotions

Merry Xmas/Happy Holidays… and a big thanks to Mr Double Down for his great guest mix (which if you missed, you can still find here).

In between tackling the turkey and pigs in blanket leftovers I wanted to bring you a couple of festive tunes from the fantastic female vocals of The Emotions.

At the time of these recordings, on Volt, the members were Sheila Hutchinson, Wanda Hutchinson and Teresa Davis (a former member of Our Ladies Of Soul), but the band’s composition changed many times over the years:

Originally founded as the The Heavenly Sunbeams the original members were Sheila Hutchinson (born January 1953, Chicago, Illinois), Wanda Hutchinson (born December 1951, Chicago, Illinois) and Jeanette Hutchinson (born February 1951, Chicago, Illinois) the band had the following incarnati0ns: Three Ribbons & A Beau (Sheila Hutchinson, Wanda Hutchinson, Jeanette Hutchinson and their father Joe Hutchinson (born February 1931, Tennessee; died September 1985, Chicago, Illinois), The Hutch Stereos (Sheila Hutchinson, Wanda Hutchinson and Jeanette Hutchinson), The Sunbeams (Sheila Hutchinson, Wanda Hutchinson and Jeanette Hutchinson) and The Hutchinson Sunbeams (Sheila Hutchinson, Wanda Hutchinson and Jeanette Hutchinson) before finally settling on the name The Emotions during which time the members always included Sheila and Wanda Hutchinson with the third member changing between Teresa Davis, Jeanette Hutchinson, Pamela Hutchinson and Adrianne Harris.

The two tracks I drop today are two of my favourite Xmas picks (Santa Claus may be coming to town for the Jackson 5, but my needle will NEVER drop on that track!); both recorded during The Emotions time with Volt, and both are the vocal versions of the tracks (each was released with an instrumental version on the flip).

“Black Christmas” was recorded in 1970 and released as Volt 4053 and the melancholic  “What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas” was recorded in 1973 and released as Volt 4104.

If you were to pop over there today, you might just find something from me.

If that doesn’t interest you I do urge you to pop on over for some great mixes and chatter that’s all funk & soul related…

Mr Double Down presents: Soul–A–Lu–Yah (A Guest mix For Bold Soul Brother)

First up, I’d like to thank Bold Soul Brother for allowing me to grace these pages here with a guest mix for you. This is fast becoming an excellent growing resource for funk and soul and I urge each and everyone of you to continue to fall by here to sample his wares!

You can currently find him holding the fort over at my small recess of the internet, The Hook & Sling, where he has a fantastic mix of Northern soul awaiting you!

Ok on with business! What you have here is an hour of Funk, Soul, R&B (the proper stuff mind!) and a few Northern 45s thrown in for luck as well. All have been taken from my 45s collection, and are a mixture of old favourites that have been on constant play at home, as well as a few big spins that you’re likely to hear at our monthly nights on the South Coast.

I hope you enjoy my selection for you, and be sure to roll by The Hook & Sling where you can find more of the same, as well as a previous two part Guest mix from Bold Soul Brother, here & here

Track List

Chairmen Of The Board – Since The Days Of Pigtails (And Fairy Tales)   Invictus
Average White Band – Cut The Cake   Atlantic
Lee Dorsey – Go-Go Girl   Amy
Dave “Baby” Cortez – There’s A New Man   Sound Pak
The Moving Finger – Higher And Higher   Mercury
The Graham Bond Organisation – I love You   Page One
The Spellbinders – Chain Reaction   Direction
The Ambassadors – I’m So Proud Of My Baby   Atlantic
Billy Butler – The Right Track   Soul City
The Peps – You Never Had It So Good   D-Town
The Falcons & Band – I Found A Love   Lu Pine Records
Bob & Gene – Don’t Leave Me   Mo-Do Records
The Objectives – Love went Away   Jewel Records
Soul Brothers Six – She’s Some Kind Of wonderful   Atlantic
Fred & The New JB’s – Breakin’ Bread   People
Syl Johnson – Dresses Too Short   Twinight Records
Al Trahan – Can I Feel It   Spindletop Records
The Mixed Emotion – Am I Imposing   Rock-Way
Kings Go Forth – Don’t Take My Shadow    Mr. C
Darrell Banks – Open The Door To Your Heart   Revilot Records
Tony Allen And The Champs – Nite Owl   Specialty

Eddie Kendricks - Goin' Up In Smoke

Here’s a little something I put together the other Sunday … a mix made up of smooth grooves for the dancers amongst you.

Most of these are taken from 45, a few are lifted from LP; but all are taken from vinyl and are amongst those I’ll tend to drop when I feel the need for some chillin’.

Coming soon: something I’ve been pondering doing for a while (a covers versus original mix).

But before those, please pop back mid week for a special guest mix from Mr Double Down of Hook & Sling…

In the interim; I hope you enjoy today’s sounds.

Tracks in today’s mix are:

Eddie Kendricks – Date With The Rain
Oliver Sain – Bus Stop
B.T. Express – Express
Marvin Gaye – Inner City Blues
B.T. Express – Do It (Til You’re Satisfied)
Commodores – Brick House
The P. Funk All Stars – Pumpin’ It Up
Mary Ann Fara & Satin Soul – Stoned Out Of My Mind
Eddie Kendricks – Going Up In Smoke
Oliver Sain – Booty Bumping
Randolph Brown & Co – It Ain’t Like It Used To Be
The P. Funk All Stars – Generator Pop
Eddie Kendricks – Girl, You Need A Change Of Mind
The Controllers – People Want Music
Ohio Players – Everybody Up
Lenny Williams – Since I Met You
Eddie Kendricks – Eddie’s Love

I am always open to trades/offers, if you see something you want let’s talk!

UPDATE 26/12, spent too much at Xmas, prices dropped on these records – grab a bargain!

Black Haze Express : Won't Nobody Listen

The last of tonight’s posts is another massive funk track, this time from Sam Dees (performing as Black Haze Express).

Won’t Nobody Listen/Pretty Soon is one of two singles Sam recorded as Black Haze Express, this one in 1971 on Clintone (005); the other is Stop This Merry Go Round/Black Tattler in 1972 on Vulcan (111).

Both Black Haze Express releases are collectable, with Won’t Nobody Listen booking at £75 and Stop This Merry Go Round at £100. I have two copies of Won’t Nobody Listen, but doubt the authenticity of one (looks too clean and the grooves are far tighter than the (marginally scruffier) one I believe to be the original issue); I have no evidence that the record has ever been bootlegged, so can only assume this to be a re-issue, or an (as yet) un-documented boot.

The intro on Won’t Nobody Listen has to be amongst the best ever, a pained Sam Dees expressing his anguish that nobody seems to care enough to change anything… listen and get hooked as the drum roll and guitar leads us to his wails of “No, no, no, no, no…”

Pretty Soon carries similar sentiments about the need for change; but a hint of optimism that change is a’ coming…

Won't Nobody Listen Pretty Soon

[See post to watch Flash video]

Pazant Brothers : Loose And Juicy

Tonight’s third post is the final post of by Pazant Brothers trio of tunes; this one if by far my favourite tune; this is Loose And Juicy, released on Vanguard (35191), it’s yet another produced and arranged by Ed Bland.

This single is released with the band name as The Pazant Brothers And The Beaufort Express; but I am unable to find any information on who else contributed to the single besides Al & Ed.

I am assuming this was released in 1975 to coincide with the release of the album of the same name.

Loose And Juicy is, not surprisingly, a horn driven monster. A full five minutes of funk, with female vocals, some awesome hammond work, sax solo and sympathetic drumming to back up the horns. Have a listen and perhaps you will understand my preference for this over (the more widely acclaimed) Skunk Juice.

The flip, Back to Beaufort, starts off with the usual Pazant horns, but unlike most Pazant tunes has male vocals (doing more than just shouting!) and some nice woodwind instruments. Not as infectious as Loose And Juicy, but worth a listen none-the-less.

I hope you have enjoyed the trio from Ed & Al… as I said in the original post, if you know of any more 45s missing from my discography (or have any Pazant tunes you’re willing to part with); please do let me know.

Sam Dees coming up soon…

Loose And Juicy Back To Beaufort

[See post to watch Flash video]

Pazant Brothers : Juicy Lucy

The second of tonight’s posts, is the second of the Pazant Brothers trio for you this evening, this time it’s Juicy Lucy on GWP (506); another promo copy (this one’s label is in far better condition than my copy of Skunk Juice).

There’s not a lot I can add to this post that I haven’t already said about the Pazant Brothers, it’s another Ed Bland arrangement and production.

I am a big fan of their infectious drum and horn funk; this is a familiar tune even on first hearing. Slightly slower than Skunk Juice (hence slightly lower down my top 1000 list); the flip to Lucy, the juicy gal, is Work Song; another familiar sound… enjoy!

Juicy Lucy Work Song

Pazant Brothers : Skunk Juice

I promised to bring you some Pazant Brothers tunes, and here we are. We open with perhaps their best known and my second favourite, Skunk Juice, released on RCA (9634).

Alvin & Edward Pazant, aka the Pazant Brothers stomp into our consciousness with a drum and horn driven classic that will be so familiar to those who appreciate the finer funk sounds to come out of Spanish Harlem. Flip the vinyl for the equally tastefully named Toe Jam (another horn and drum classic).

Produced, arranged and conducted by Ed Bland with whom they collaberated on a number of 45s as the Pazant Brothers (on RCA and GWP), as the Chili Peppers (on GWP), backing Betty Barney on “Momma Momma” (GWP) and on the (highly collectable) Loose and Juicy album in 1975 (Vanguard).

As far as I can tell, the Pazant Brothers continue to record music and are active on the internet (I found MySpace and FaceBook accounts in their name).

You can see from the scan, that my copy has some serious damage to the label, but the vinyl is okay and this promo issue sits nicely in my favoured funk boxes alongside Loose & Juicy and Juicy Lucy, which I’ll be bringing to you very shortly to complete the trio of Pazant Brothers tunes in my collection.

Skunk Juice Toe Jam

Pazant Brothers Discography (45s):

Skunk Juice/Toe Jam
Loose & Juicy/Back to Beaufort
Juicy Lucy/Work Song
Back to Beaufort/Water Front Blues
Dragon Fly/Dixie Rock
Fever/Groovin’
Mboga-Chakula (Greasy Greens)/Chick A Boom

Please let me know if you know of any more 45s I’ve missed off the list.

So, instead, just a quick thanks to Ben (aka Mr DoubleDown) for the heads-up of this new blog over at The Hook & Sling and also wanted to draw your attention to a work in progress of a mate of mine, James Curry – have a look at his site and listen to his mixes over at CurryMusic.com

Back with the Pazant Brothers tomorrow evening…

Third Guitar : Baby Don't Cry

The Third Guitar’s Baby Don’t Cry is amongst my most prized possessions – an original issue on Rojac (123) from 1968 in near mint condition.

I was fortunate enough to get it from the US; then got hammered with an import duty from those lovely people at Her Majesty’s Customs & Excise. It takes pride of place in my funk boxes.

Written by The Third Guitar’s lead singer, Eddie Holloway, this was the 1968 recording for Jack Taylor’s New York-based Rojac label. This was the second time Eddie had recorded this tune, the first time was in 1965 whilst Eddie was a member of the Miami-based group The Soul Pleasers (the famous Funk45 re-issue has The Soul Pleasers’ earlier version on the flip, which itself is a tune worth a listen. I have a copy somewhere and when I locate it I’ll update this post with the Soul Pleasers’ version too).

The version you see and hear here was also recorded in Miami, but was given national distribution via Rojac. Unfortunately, like the other Third Guitar releases on Rojac (Sad Girl/Lovin’ Lies – Rojac 120 & Been So Long/Down To The River – Rojac 127), it did not make it big. Which really boggles the mind… what has become one of the best loved and most sought after funk singles of all time failed to hit on its release!

It is believed to have been bootlegged, but I can unearth no information on the bootleg. It has also been re-issued (the 2005 Funk45 reissue and a couple of unofficial 12″ releases). It also features on numerous compilation LP/CD (Florida Funk, Keb Darge Experience, Funk Spectrum II, etc.) and of course is in the Brainfreeze of 1999 mix that caused the resurgent interest in the song.

You do occasionally see it surface on the interweb auction sites, I recently spied a (rather ropey looking) copy with a ‘buy it now’ price tag of US$1,999.00!

The flip on this original issue is a soulful ballad, might be worth a quick listen – but I cannot believe anyone would buy this Rojac issue for the B side.

The Third Guitar – Lead Singer Eddie Holloway (other members and status unknown). Eddie appears to be alive and well and enjoying a career as a blues singer; if anyone can furnish any bio for Eddie I’d be grateful, also any information on who else contributed to the tune as The Third Guitar.

Baby Don't Cry Don't Take Your Love

[See post to watch Flash video]

Eddie Bo

Another Bo tune…given my love of Eddie’s music it can come as no surprise, that today’s post is yet another Eddie Bo outing, this time on the Bo-Sound label.

Today I bring you “We’re Doing It (Thang)”, parts 1 & 2; by Eddie Bo & The Soul Finders. Not quite on a par with “Hook And Sling” or “Lover And A Friend”, but still a great, funky, tune from one of New Orleans greatest.

Part 1 opens with what sounds like maracas & whistles and a vocal sound off…

Female: “Hey everybody we’re doing it”…
Male: “Doing what”…
Female: “The Thang”…
Male: “Right on!”

Part 2 is slightly less upbeat with Bo talking us into the Thang; but with a stronger drum backbeat throughout.

The soundbyte is taken from a re-issue (not my image); the original Bo-Sound issue (5005) is surprisingly pricey to obtain, often changing hands for around the book price of £200. I say surprisingly as I do not rate it as amongst his best, it just seems copies do not surface that often. As with the other Bo tunes I’ve posted, I can find no evidence of this being bootlegged; so you should be safe if you uncover one whilst digging.

Much as I did with Hook And Sling, I’ll leave you to make your own mind up which side/part you prefer… as is often my preference with Bo two-parters, I’m inclined towards part 2.

Eddie Bo – Edwin Joseph Bocage (September 20, 1930 – March 18, 2009).

We're doing it... pt1 The Thang... pt2

Eddie Bo : Hook & Sling

Perhaps not unsurprisingly, I follow up my previous post with yet another Bo tune. I mentioned before that Lover And A Friend would make it into my top 50; perhaps top 10 (if my mood permitted), this track is one that will always, always, be in my top 10.

Probably the first track I heard that convinced me (after years of attempts from friends) that my deep set passion for Northern Soul could be enhanced by “letting a little funk into my life“. I first heard this on a New Orleans funk CD compilation (that I’d reluctantly purchased to see if my friends were right) and for the life of me I can’t remember what that CD was called, nor can I find it in my collection; but I know that as soon as I heard Eddie Bo I was hooked and I have been a fervent collector of the Bo sounds ever since.

This track has probably the best drum intro I have ever heard, courtesy of some serious drumming from James Black… Whenever I reach for this vinyl, I am always torn as to which side to play, I love part 1 because, … well it’s the intro to part 2!

The soundbyte (and image) seen here is from the Scram issue (117); valued at £50 (seriously underpriced in my humble opinion). As with most Bo tunes, I can find no evidence of this being bootlegged or re-issued on Scram (there are some dodgy re-issues that sound like they were recorded off a mono stereo in a garage, but they are not on Scram, if I recall correctly they are Tuff City/Funky Delicacies/Vamp re-issues); so you should be safe should you uncover a Scram copy whilst digging. I am also sure that I once had a blue label copy as well (but can’t recall where that copy went and have no idea what the difference between green and blue is – apart from the colour).

I’ll leave you to make your own mind up which you prefer… at the time of writing I’m erring towards part 2; but then again…

Eddie Bo – Edwin Joseph Bocage (September 20, 1930 – March 18, 2009).

Hook it... pt1 Sling it... pt2

Eddie Bo & Inez Cheatham

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a sucker for Eddie Bo, anything he plays/sings on, anything he produces… anything at all. But, of all the tracks I have, this has to be amongst my top 50; perhaps top 10 if I’m in the right mood.

Whilst it may not grab you with its opening bars in the way Hook And Sling does (which is a masterpiece of drum work from James Black that, in my humble opinion, is unbeaten and unbeatable); it always stops me in my tracks every time I hear it (albeit momentarily – it’s never long before my feet start tapping).

Listen as Bobby Williams’ pounds the drums, the lead guitar comes in and then Bo & Cheatham come in with a joint shout of  “Shoop!” I just know you know what I mean!

Eddie Bo worked with many people in his long and varied career and otfen recorded under pseudonyms (or Noms De Guerre according to your viewpoint). He has a varied discography as a solo artist; but also recorded some stonking tunes with female accompaniment (Mary Jane Hooper, Explosions and Inez). This particular collaberation dates from January 1968 (when I was a mere four years old). There has been, for some time, some discussion on the interweb that Mary Jane Hooper and Inez Cheatham were one and the same person. Lately, this appears to have been debunked and it is now widely accepted that the two were different people (both very talented vocalists).

This is one of two copies I own, the one you hear (and see here) is the nationally licensed Capitol release (2150 promo) valued at £75 which, sadly, failed to be a national hit; the other is the Seven B issue (7107) valued at £150, which was such a hit in New Orleans it prompted the national release. The flip is a nice deep soul ballad (If I Had To Do It Over). As far as my research suggests neither copy has ever been bootlegged or re-issued, so you should be safe in your digging.

Eddie Bo – Edwin Joseph Bocage (September 20, 1930 – March 18, 2009).

Lover And A Friend If I Had To Do It Over

70 minutes or so of James Brown and Eddie Bo tunes (plus a couple of other instrumental delights).

Shhhhhhhhh (For A Little While) – James Brown (King 6164)
Mercy D – Sam & The Soul Machine (Funky Del 18) **
The Drunk – James Brown (Bethlehem 3098)
Fat Eddie – James Crawford (King 6130)
Things Are Better – Ernie & The Top Notes (Fordom 105)
Popcorn With A Feeling – Steve Soul (Federal 12551)
Dull Knifin’ – Trick Bag (TB 10001) ****
Funky & Some – The Last Word (Polydor 14226)
Git-It – Sam & The Soul Machine (Funky Del 18) ***
Screwdriver – Lee Austin (Int. Bros. 01)
Funky, Yeah! – Curley Moore (House Of Fox 1934)
Live It Up – James K Nine (Federal 12572)
Quiet Village (Part 2) – Dome City Rock (Dome City 35)
Sunshine #9 – Osaka Monaurail (Our Label 005)
Crossover – The JB’s (Polydor 41396)
Bringing Up The Guitar – The Dapps (King 6147)
Funky Broadway – James Brown (Smash 27093 )  *
Trip – 1984 (Tramp 114)
Disco Baby – The Hustlers (People 658)
Quiet Village (Part 1) – Dome City Rock (Dome City 35)
Signed Sealed Delivered I’m Yours – Osaka Monaurail (Our Label 005)
Lowdown Popcorn – James Brown (King 6250)
21st Century Kenya – Electrostats (Three Oaks 101)

* Released on LP only “James Brown Plays The Real Thing” (Smash 27093)
** Previously unreleased, taken from LP “Funky Funky New Orleans 2-B”  (Funky Del 18)
*** Previously unreleased, taken from LP “Funky Funky New Orleans 2-A” (Funky Del 18)
**** Released on LP only “French Quarter Textiles”  (Trick Bag 10001)

Close to 80 minutes of deep funk, so once again, grab a beer and sit back; or pull on your dancin’ shoes and enjoy.

Hey Joyce – Lou Courtney (Popside 4594)
Huxley’s Howl – Howard Wales  (Costal 101)
Baby Don’t Cry – The Third Guitar (Rojac 123)
Sophisticated Sissy (Pt 1) – Curley Moore  (Instant 2638)
Pull My Coat – The Eddy Jacobs Exchange (Columbia 44821 DJ)
Cramp Your Style – All The People (Blue Candle 563)
Soul Brother’s Testify – Chester Randle’s Soul Senders (Anla 102)
Mighty Mighty Children – Baby Huey & The Babysitters (Curtom 1939)
The Next Message – Mighty Mo & The Winchester Seven (Peace Street 1980)
Funky, Yeah! – Curley Moore & The Kool Ones (House Of The Fox 1934)
King Midnight – The Delta Rhythm Section (Mocambo 1014)
Butterballs (Pt 1) – Butterball (Double-B 101)
Black Boy – Dyke & The Blazers (Beat Goes Public 26) *
Heavy, Heavy – Keno-I & The Hermit (Breakin Bread 011)
Stagger Walk – The Fabulous Capris (Sticky 001)
Funky ’69 – Alvin Cash (Toddlin’ Town 119 DJ)
Hard Times – Baby Huey & The Babysitters (Curtom 0105)
Won’t Nobody Listen – Black Haze Express (Clintone 005 DJ)
You’re Starting Too Fast – Johnny Pate (ABC 078 DJ)
Double EE Agent – Charles Greene (Anla 108)
Hook & Sling (Pt 2) – Eddie Bo (Scram 117)
I’m The Man – Chris Jones (Goodie Train 008)
Listen To Me – Baby Huey & The Babysitters (Curtom 741670)
Can We Rap – Carleen & The Groovers (Jazzman 009) *
Soul Power (Pt 1) – Busey’s Soulblenders (Busey’s 2485)
Tighten Up Your Own Thing – Etta James (Cadet 5664 DJ)
The Hen (Pt 1) – Louis Chachere (Paula Records 321)
Trip – 1984 (Tramp 114)

*       Re-issue

If you have listened to any of my other mixes; this might be a bit of an eye-opener; as it’s completely different. In essence this demonstrates the range of my musical tastes (from classic Northern Soul – which you’ll find in this issue; to Deep Funk – as heard in other mixes). This mix demonstrates for me, where it all began, imagine a 17 year old into music big time, when mainstream music was either Punk, Ska (Coventry revival), Mod (revival), Brit Pop (the first time round) or (late) disco. Whilst I’d never been a great dancer, I’d always loved music that made me want to dance (and enjoyed watching the local talent shuffle around). I fervently collected the entire catalogue of 2-Tone and The Jam, but by far my biggest interest was from what the Mod revival introduced to this scooter riding youngster…. northern soul and what a musical revelation that was for me.

What you hear in this mix was put together for a colleague (directly onto CD) and as such I was “just grabbing” and paying no particular attention to BPM or mixing for dancing; I was literally just grabbing old favourites. We start with Laura Greene’s “Moonlight Music and You” (one of a few tracks in the mix given public attention a few years back thanks to a certain “fried chicken’s” advertising campaign); I then bombard you with some great classics  and end, perhaps appropriately, with Jimmy Radcliffe’s “Long After Tonight Is All Over” (the cue to grab a slow dance, your coat and bag, and your lift home). It’s also a guest mix on “the hook and sling” blog.

Most are original issues, some are re-issues, a few (including Chavez) are bootleg (with Chavez I thought for a day or two that I’d stumbled on an original, until Manship confirmed from my delta number that it was a bootleg; still worthy of a good price – but not close to the original). The Frank Wilson you hear is taken from the re-issue on Soul, but I also have a much earlier re-issue in my collection (sadly I don’t own one of the two Soul originals – if I did I wouldn’t have the burden of debt!)

If you’re about to settle back and listen to this mix it’s close to 80 minutes; so do settle down with a beer, or roll a fat one (if that’s your thing), lean back and enjoy.

Keep the faith.

Laura Green – Moonlight Music And You – RCA – 9164
Yvonne Baker – You Didn’t Say A Word – Parkway – 140
Freddie Chavez – They’ll Never Know Why – Look – 5010
Andre Brasseur – The Kid – Congress – 271
Lee Roye – Tears – MCA – 378
Bobby Hebb – Love, Love, Love – Philips – 40400
Chuck Jackson – Hand It Over – Wand – 169
Barbara Acklin – Love Makes A Woman – Brunswick – 55379
Leslie Uggams – Love Is A Good Foundation – Sonday – 6006
Len Barry – It’s That Time Of The Year – Decca – 31969
Jackie Lee – I’ll Do Anything – Soul Fox – 1001
Dena Barnes – If You Ever Walk Out Of My Life – Inferno – 2002
Chuck Jackson – Good Things Come To Those Who Wait – Wand – 1105
Frank Wilson – Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) – Soul – 35019
Vikki Baines – Country Girl – Parkway – 966
Rose Batiste – Come Back In A Hurry – Revilot – 206
Chuck Jackson -These Chains Of Love (Are Breaking Me Down) – Wand – 1129
Ronnie Milsap – Ain’t No Soul (Left In These Old Shoes) – Scepter – 12161
Leroy Taylor – Oh Linda – Brunswick – 55345
The Beach Girls – Skiing In The Snow – Dynovox – 202
The TSU Toronadoes – I Still Love You – Volt – 4030
Cliff Nobles & Co. – Switch It On – Phil La Soul – 324
Bobby Garrett – I Can’t Get Away – Mirwood – 5508
Jackie Wilson – Soul Galore – Brunswick – 55290
Adams Apples – Don’t Take It Out Of This World – Brunswick – 55330
Al Wilson – Help Me – Wand – 1135
Stemmons Express – Woman, Love Thief – Karma – 201
Fred Hughes – Baby Boy – Brunswick – 55419
Harold Melvin – Get Out (And Let Me Cry) – Landa – 703
Chuck Jackson – Any Day Now – Wand – 122
Jimmy Radcliffe – Long After Tonight Is All Over – Musicor – 104

Pop back soon for the first 45s!