16:16
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.
Saturday Night Behind the Decks
