Odyssey - Our Lives Are Shaped By What We Love

So, I almost never loan out any of my LP's. But, recently I made an exception for the fine folks at Light In The Attic records. Turns out they are gathering tracks for a compilation of stuff released on the MoWest label. MoWest was a subsidiary of Motown that was designed to cover the West coast and be based in Los Angeles. The LITA folks had been looking for quite a while for a clean copy of the Odyssey LP. Not the Odyssey disco group from the New York area, but the hippie funk rock group from California. They were around a few years before the New York group. It's a seriously hard LP to get in clean shape with a decent cover. It's a dark brown cover and most copies have severe ring wear, or just heavy fading. I actually have a strange copy of this record, probably the cleanest copy I've ever seen. The nice cats at Light In The Attic Records got my info from my homie Jon Blunck. I'm still trying to figure out how he even knew I had this particular LP, as we never play this kind of stuff at Sweaterfunk. The chances of him hearing me play this are slim to none. But, somehow he suggested they give me a call. My response to both Jon and the LITA people was a resounding no. There's was no way I could find this LP. I had no idea where it was, haven't seen it for months, maybe years, and don't have anything in my collection in ANY kind of order. So, I answered 'not likely' and didn't put any more thought into it.

Well, it just so happened that during Xmas time my brother Andy was in town. He was over at my place and noticed some Coleman Hawkins records I had pulled aside for him. He had given me these records many years ago, and I promised I would give them back at last years Xmas gathering. We got down on our knees are flipped thru the whole pile looking for more Coleman Hawkins. Once I pulled aside a bunch of stuff he wanted I started finding a bunch of things I was looking for in the surrounding records. A few things I wasn't looking for, but was cool to see again. And, a few things I HAD been looking for. Well, it just so happened that I found my copy of this Odyssey LP. Ultimately I sent it to the LITA folks and it was confirmed that it was the cleanest copy they had all seen. My copy of this LP is a bit strange. It's actually a dutch issue of the LP and has that layer of gloss only on the front cover. This issue is surprisingly put out by Rare Earth Records which of course is another Motown subsidiary. The fact is has this protective layer of plastic built into the cover has protected it well over the years.
So, the moral of the story...flip through your own shit! You may have a goldmine right under your nose. Funny how if they weren't my records in that pile I would have gone through them in a heartbeat.

Cool, so now I get to see my copy on the cover of LITA's new compilation. And, they were nice enough to grace me with a few of their fine releases. So we'll give them a big shout and plug when this comp comes out and probably feature their future releases as well. Really nice folks over there and really quality releases on that label.

So, this tune by Odyssey was probably thee very first hippie soul or folk funk tune that I ever fell deeply in love with. It's simply a majestic and charismatic tune. So calm and gentle yet deep, funky and soulful. I think the first format I had this in was on 45. I had looped the first two or three measures and just played them over and over again. Still its a solid tune as a whole, delicious from start to finish. To me, this is what hippie soul and folk funk is all about. It's about something more seductive then just out right hard funk. It's about a positive or introspective message. It's tinged with just a hint of psychedelic flavor and often riding on the cusp of an acid trip. It's about the merge and harmony between rock and soul. A perfect hybrid developed and groomed right from the waves of late 60's and mid 70's AM radio. Bands Like Odyssey had a mixed race cast of characters and this particular outfit was comprised of several session players. Some of the singers went on to providing backing vocals for Ambrosia and Steely Dan. Odyssey didn't record anymore and this was their only release. Aside from having a 45 released of 'Our Lives..' this great group never hit the charts or made much of a name for themselves. However, in the rare groove and folk funk circuit this LP and this group are well loved. You can't get this LP for less than $150-200 these days and once this LITA comp drops.. expect that to hike the price up a bit. Some like this LP through and through, and at times I'm one of them. Most would agree that the stand out tracks are this one, and 'Battened Ships'. 'Ships' is a bit more of a modern groover with a big brass arrangement that almost sounds salsa inspired. It's definitely a dancer where as 'Our Lives...' is just mellow madness. Perhaps I'll put up 'Ships' when the compilation comes out, but I have a feeling there's going to be many good tracks to choose from.

For many of you familiar with this blog, you'll be well aware that I often meander in the categories section of things quite a bit. I assure you there is purpose behind my standings on this subject. In speaking about Odyssey over the last few weeks, many don't seem to know where to really put a group like Odyssey. Either people thought they were a rock group or a soul group. But, that just doesn't quite encapsulate their true sound. So, Hippie Soul or Folk Funk as a category opens up opportunity to explore more artist like this. Or, the desire to find more that sound like this. My Argument: If you ever handed me a record and I didn't know it..and you said it's perfect Hippie Soul..I'd ultimately know exactly what you meant and would buy it without listening to it. How do you know if you're a folk funk group? Well, like Odyssey, you're probably recording with choir like backing vocals and a vibes solo to boot. Then you go out to beach and shoot a trippy LP cover photo? The answer is...for crying out loud!  You're a funkin' hippie group!   I rest my case.


Odyssey - Our Lives Are Shaped By What We Love

Fat Back - What Do You Want From Me / Take Your Time

Another Soundboutique Exclusive
You won't find this anywhere else...

Probably one of the best little 'rock' 45 rpm discoveries I've ever turned up. And, a good example of just how awesome the 45 format is. An example of how intricate and diverse a groups sound can truly be within the confines of the 3 minute art form.
I'm not sure which side I like better. They are both completely brilliant. I found nothing about this band 'Fat Back' other than both websites and people confusing them with the funk group 'The Fatback Band'. It proves frustrating when you hope for more offerings from a group of this caliber. They're funky as hell and prove they have some serious chops. From the sweet and pleasant harmonies to the sax solo they illustrate not only a rad take on things, but the skills of execution as well.
It's obvious they were inspired and influenced by Chicago, Grand Funk, The Guess Who and many others, yet they put their own stamp on it too. Back and forth with soft rock melodies to hard funk without a care in the world. Truly campy lyrics from a skewed psychedelic perspective. All of it makes for a hell of an odd ball experience. The musicianship is tops as far as I'm concerned. So much thought went into the production. A long lost era of music, nothing like it is made these days.
Let's take a closer inspection...

1. What Do You Want From Me
Part garage, part soft country, with a dash of hippie funk.
It starts off oh-so kinda sweet and soft. A perfect melody to trick us right into a seemingly angry little chant?! Early Bee Gee's style backing vocals. Amazingly tight and perfectly mixed horns..Excellent lyrics..'had a chance but I was a fool', and 'a paper tiger lives in a cage, rosey words perceived in a rage' Huh?? What the fuck! I love it. Honestly, I can barely make out what they're saying most of the time, but what I can pick up is fantastic. Scat whisper drum fills?? I'm truly floored by this number. Fades out with a goofy trumpet solo!? my goodness gracious folks..me thinks (with this outro) they may have out 'Chicagoed' Chicago. I gotta say I wanna know who the hell was behind the production on this one..because it's really incredible.

2. Take Your Time
oh good lord. Bell Bottom funk rock really hits like a ton of bricks. Almost thuggish intro, the singer pauses with a lazy bass voice 'yeah'. OK, this is all kindsa badassyness. Instantly the lyrics reference 'breakin' records' as if speaking about the DJ in the next room. Again, the production is massive. Congas, a wicked vibraslap, deep baritone sax, and is that Moog I hear in there?? Holy shit y'all!! I love the chorus.."Sometimes the hill's too steep to climb, sometimes it's hard to find a sign, you've got to learn to take the time". I'm not a huge sax solo lover, yet I love this one. More tasty psychedelic lyrics.. 'All the distortion you see along the way' well, they are truly on one. And, I love 'em. Dear Fat Back, I wished I knew which shelf your entire unreleased masterpiece LP was sittin' on.


Now if you've ever been diggin' in certain areas of this good ole' u.s. in a. (as Borat would say) you'll find tons of records that look like incredible funk records. Yet, you throw them on only to hear Jethro Billy Bob bangin' out a country knee slapper. Now, I've got nothing against knee slappers or country music in general. In fact I hope to illustrate that on this here blog (yup, yup yessiree) but, when your expecting unknown funk holy grail madness and you get 'kuntray pickins' it can be a bit deflating. I'm only mentioning this because this may be the story behind this little 45. If I remember right, I think I picked it up in Denver, Co. of all places. It was of many country titles I flipped through hoping for nasty funkiness. It is however proof that my ears are indeed wide open. All of you that think I'm a country or roots music hater, be warned! Alright fuckit.....I'll start working on the next post right now....YOU'LL SEE!




1. Fat Back - What Do You Want From Me
2. Fat Back - Take Your Time

The Linda Lewis Special - Part One

There's real depth to Linda Lewis' music. Once you're hooked on her sultry style its hard to pull away. Her falsetto range and almost kid like voice takes some getting used to. As a song writer she composed some of the greatest folk and feel good soul music I've ever heard. Still few folks have really heard of her, yet fortunately most of her material has now thankfully been re-issued for exploration.
I'm starting this tribute to her by featuring 4 tracks from her amazing "Lark" LP. It was the first of hers I was turned onto. In fact, a major Japanese dealer peaked my interest when he was picking it up. I was fascinated by what the interest could be... and, I was floored by how incredible Ms. Lewis actually was. The moderate and lo-fi yet beautiful cover artwork helped as well. Then like wildfire I was off to get everything she had ever recorded. Additionally in this part one tribute to her, I'm including a few tracks from her first and rare as crickets tits LP "Say No More".

She originally hails from London, England and wrote and produced all of her own material. Not only was she writer and producer, she was a stellar vocalist with a range that few could reach. Not mention she's an accomplished keyboard and guitar player as well. After you listen to the music she made, you realize just how incredible these facts really are. Her marvelous writing and constant song structure changes will keep you constantly impressed. Her freedom of expression, unusual approach, and wicked melodies all surmise her magic. Linda was light years ahead of other folks. She seems to have been influenced and inspired by a vast array of material ranging from Stevie Wonder to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Yet, again she was more playful and free than most folk artists around at the time. She honestly had a mold completely of her own.

Her style was light, folky, country, hippy, funky and completely unique. There's really nothing like her music. She was in the group Ferris Wheel in 1970 by replacing Marsha Hunt in that groups line-up. They recorded an LP entitled "The Ferris Wheel", toured throughout the UK, and quickly disbanded the same year. She then recorded four solo LP's for the Reprise label. Those four records are some of her best material. Her first, "Say No More" was released in 1971 in which she laid the groundwork for the Linda Lewis sound and etched her way into UK history. Her absolute style is represented here, and bench marked just how incredibly light years ahead of her time she truly was. The other landmark LP for both her and amongst collectors is her 1972 masterpiece "Lark". Then in 1973 she released "Fathoms Deep". Oddly, and as fitting as it might be, as a song writer she is simply just that..fathoms deep. 'Fathoms' spawned a little more momentum and her first US tour with Cat Stevens who she was greatly inspired and influence by. Her next and last LP for the Reprise label was "Heartstrings", much sought after for her tune "Sideway Shuffle" which was a huge hippy funk spin of mine and largely sought after in the rare groove circuit. This last LP was mostly a 'Best Of' compiling tunes from both 'Lark and 'Fathoms'

She recorded two more albums for the Arista label. First "Not A Little Girl Anymore" in 1975, and "Woman Overboard," in 1977. Even though she had a great deal of success covering 'The Shoop Shoop Song' by Betty Everett on the 'Not a Little Girl' LP, somewhere between that and "Woman" things for Linda had changed. 'Woman' got lost in a swirl of discofied pressure. During this time she lost her way and was pushed in a more commercial direction. She decided to become more focused on her personal life and family and steered away from the record biz.

Still she made quite an impression and stayed busy the entire time of her career. Basically putting out an LP pretty much once a year. The imprint she left us is still being felt and she's now heralded and appreciated much more now than ever before.

One thing that can be said for music by Linda Lewis, it makes you feel good. Nothing makes me feel like summer time, like swimming in a gorgeous river in pristine nature quite like her first LP. 'Lark' is like being in love for the entire album. It's acutally rumored she was in love at the time of that album. She gave us 'love' whenever she wrote or performed her music.

In this part one, I'm featuring a few selections from her first most vital two LP's. In part two, I'll feature the notorious "Sideway Shuffle" as well as her much later 80's records, bits and pieces of her newer material, as well as feature a bit from the coveted Ferris Wheel LP.

Linda Lewis - Say No More LP

Peter's Garden
The Same Song
Donkey's Years

Linda Lewis - Lark LP

Spring Song
Reach For The Truth
It's The Frame
Feeling Feeling

Barrabas - It

OK, Back to business, I know, I know... I'm back from hiatus yet again. Once I started getting into disco tracks I somehow always leaned toward the heavy monster sounding ones. It was like my taste for funk didnt really change, only the years changed. So here's this amazing disco banger. Almost violent in its funkiness. It was a classic staple of mine for a long while. In fact, not long after discovering it, I found many sealed copies of it. Not a rare piece at all, on the Atco label. I dont think folks were ready for it then, cause the sealed copies stayed right in my stacks. Not sure if folks are ready even now. Perhaps all too common of a record? Well, until it's impossible to find all over again right? Where o' where are those copies though? I think Barrabas were a funk rock outfit that branched out into disco and even some world influenced sound too. I believe they first penned "Woman" which is posted earlier in this blog by the amazing Junior Byron. "Oh no - Oh no"!

Barrabas - It