Jady Kurrent Band - Standing There

More of the rare stuff. It's gone for 300-400$ and now maybe more. Looks like something you'd skip right past in a thrift store. Like the other hundreds of bad radio comps and Ronco, and buy it on TV records you see. But, this one has a special treat. A lone track by The Jady Kurrent Band. They had several releases after this and still perform to this day. In Fact you can hire them to play a gig. Imagine hearing 'Standing There' at your next party. But, the comp "Sound of The Streets" is the only way to grab this particular tastiness by JKB. It does also feature the incredible Angelo Tinsley tune that was comped by Kon and Amir. That's about when the record jumped in price. It never came out on 7" or LP, other than this. But, they did have later 7' releases. "Work This Way" which came out in 86 or 87 is pretty tasty as well. 'Standing There' is smooth and classy. It's essentially indie-boogie. The soft and subtle nuances will grow on you every listen. I didn't want it right away, but after hearing it in my head, I had to have it. That's the key as a songwriter and musician..if you can plant that infectious seed, then you've got folks sprung. The Jady Kurrent Band have done just that.


Jady Kurrent Band - Standing There

Danny Williams - Rat Race

I don't think I've heard a more delectable 45. Whispering backing vocals, sneaky horns, smooth wah-wah and general unpredictability make this a prime example of the unique qualities of Bay Area funk and soul. Quite possibly one of the best local 45 I've ever laid ears on, popping and bumping along representing both sloppy and smooth. It's free-ness and tight syncopation make for a magical combination. Listening to it, it's hard to know what to expect, but by the time the whole song comes together, it's over. I know, I know...I've done a lot of genre-fying lately, and yet again, I'm gonna have to hit you with it again. It's a tune that's often labeled 'cross-over' perhaps because 'northern' and 'modern' soul dj's played it out when branching their sets out. It does definitely 'cross-over' into something new, or perhaps some other sound sphere. But, I think it's more aptly defined as 'free soul' or 'indie soul' because it just sounds more...well..free. It's tone and structure steers well out of the way of commercial sound and is independent in nature. Like many others and true to funk 45 form, the flip is an upbeat northern number "All Those Lies". Also, a quality tune and probably more appropriately coined 'cross-over', but not nearly as tasty as "Rat Race".

There's two major traits I'm noticing with Bay Area sound in this particular era, both with this and the previous 'Soft Touch' post.
1. There's incredible tightness, yet the overall vibe is sloppy and free sounding. Almost effortless and relaxed yet obviously complicated. (This seems to be quite prevalent in many Bay Area funk and soul artists.)
2. The mood and approach is all about capturing the purest of 'Superfly' feeling, like the slickest, smoothest pimp music you've ever heard, yet the messages are positive and socially conscious.

It's all contributing to making me extremely proud of this area and its rich musical history. On a side note - Ive been enjoying another local purveyor, collector and DJ - Kid Inquisitive and his fantastic site, check it out here
www.soulpersuasion.blogspot.com
It's well worth your time. Lots and lots of other interesting Bay Area stuff.
I quested for this "Rat Race"45 for a good long time. When I asked, I either got the 'never heard of it', or had to silently watch it disappear for thousands of dollars on ebay. Now, like a good collector and in true blue 'soundboutique' fashion, I'm sharing it with you. Hopefully you won't have to pay as much as I did. I assure you, it IS worth it. But, please don't rub it in if you found it in mint condition for a dollar.


Danny Williams - Rat Race

Eilijah Rock - Piece Of The Rock

While at a BBQ picnic reunion this weekend, I got to chopping it up with a long time friend and soul buddy Kirk Harper. We got to talking about savagely awesome soul vocalists and some that leave a little more to be desired. True some soul singers 'bring it' and other just don't have the 'pipes'. But, I pointed out that in both old and new stuff there's the appeal of the unusual tones and non-classic training or talent. In fact I've noticed this because of the growing interests I'm developing in something I think is best coined as 'Indie-Soul'. We've seen the genius of the home studio types, George Smallwood, Lonnie Hewitt, and the tinkering of Shuggie Otis. And, newer stuff like Cody Chestnutt all the way to Myron and E. Not to say (AT ALL) that these cats aren't talented, in fact quite the opposite, but that the vocal stylings are a little more un-conventional. Which for me as a collector and enthusiast makes it all the more genius. In all of the instances in fact, I'm a huge fan. Often times for me its even better than the standard soul singer. If there is such a thing. Give it to me lo-fi, raggedy, raspy, janky, and dodgy sounding as possible. Sometimes, you gotta turn down the talent, boost up the creativity, and the outcome is more intimate and real.
Enter Elijah Rock. I know nothing about this man, but the legacy he leaves us in a few inches of a few soul records is remarkable. I couldn't find this tune anywhere on the net. Nowhere! And, there's little to be had in his small catalog except for the two seven's I have. This little 45 "Piece Of The Rock" on the label of the same name sounds as though it was recorded in one take and all played by Mr. Rock. Now, I could be wrong, but listen for yourself. Hopefully you'll enjoy this premiere, this rare piece of boogie keyboard funk and obscure off the beaten path indie soul.

Eilijah Rock - Piece Of The Rock