People's Choice - Let Me Do My Thing

While it seems it's open season for HATERS on reissues, let me divulge a retort. And, at the same time also file a grievance against said hatred. For starters, news flash.. EVERYBODY, and I mean everybody wants originals if possible. duh! Even folks that are just starting out in collecting..they want the original release. They might have not yet paid all the dues that lifetime collectors have, but still they want the original article. But, let's look at how quintessential RE-ISSUES are. They have in fact numerous times throughout several genres, and decades of music paved the way for what we know now..and brought to light hoards of quality music to the top. So much music would be lost without reissues.. from 60's dutch garage punk, to countless poor condition and almost impossible rocksteady from Jamaica, it's stunning when you look at the scope of all that is out there BECAUSE of the reissue market. I personally take offense to people downplaying, hating, and dismissing reissues especially now that I myself am behind some of that action with Sound Boutique Records.

The most critical part of reissues (in my eyes) is that it creates a situation where the artist can regain some of the income surrounding the popularity of a record. After all it's THEIR music, and originals trading hands amongst collectors for anything from $25 to $200 still yields absolutely $0 to the artist. That equation does not sit right with me. So, even though royalties are pennies compared to what a true deep collector 7 inch might trade hands for, it's still better than nothing.
Not to mention reissues help folks discover music, and define peoples interests. Like they have done for me time after time.

Here's the situation way back when for me personally. I was a young mod kid, must of been about 14-15 years old. I was trying to find more soul that I liked, and all I had was what I found.. Jr. Walker, Chuck Berry, Mary Wells, and Mose Allison 45's here and there. There was an incredible mostly 45 store, legendary in fact... that was huge for me.. called BAYTOWN records in Albany..but that's another story. A very important story to share, but another time.
We were learning about mod style and mod music, that is... American R&B, blues and Soul as mod kids. I had some vintage stripped 4 button shirts and Hush Puppy shoes and often taking my pants to the tailor to get them pegged.

Cover art on all the volumes looked like original works of art,
all creating incredible scenes of Soul music scenarios.

We were also sorting out and finding the music we wanted to identify with. While I was fresh to the culture of digging, and green to the ways of all the music I would eventually discover... Compilations aka Reissues were key in the development of my tastes. When you look back now, over all the years of collections, compilations, and reissues, the amount of releases back then pales against whats come out since. With all the years gone by, and folks like PPU, Numero, Now and Again, Stones Throw, Ace/Big Beat, Luv N' Haight etc.. its mind blowing. Just an endless sea or cool stuff to explore.
Back during this adolescent time for me it was 4 main groups of comps that shaped things for me.. Bam Caruso lead the way into psych, Funky People lead the way into JB's funk, Charley opened the door to rare groove, and these soul comps SOULIN' were likely the first comps I ever bought. There's also the Ultimate Breaks and Beats, but that is also deserved of an entire other post. So, yeah, maybe 5 comps.. 5 reissue groups.
I took a chance on the first one, the first SOULIN' compilation... based on the incredible cover art, and obscure track listing on the back. Strangely enough I bought all of them at tower records of all places. Once I dropped that needle on the grooves I was sprung, the heavy and rough soul that I really quested for did exist. It was southern soul, it was northern soul, it was instrumentals and funky tracks. It was dance music at it's finest to me. At the time I had an inkling about Kent Soul record comps and the immense amount of Northern Soul on those releases, but this was more dear to me. The stuff on SOULIN' was funkier, grittier, tough, soulful, and so irresistibly danceable.
After hearing this first SOULIN' and instantly being hooked (and enlightened I might add) I rushed back the very next day to get the rest of the volumes they had. I bought all of them, which at the time was the remaining two.. volume 4 was to come a bit later.

Soulin' comps were put out by Moonshine Records
and features a woman takin a taste from a bottle. 

They were all so incredible. I've lived by the depths of what was on here.. brought tapes of all of them to parties and people cut loose and spun about on the dance floor. So. In my experience compilations and reissues are pinnacle in harvesting tastes.. developing the ever growing 'map' of music, and also equally important in developing a scene to surround the love of the music.
So, for folks who shun on 'reissues'... please.. go get a life. Without them, most of us wouldn't know shit. I've said this a million times and its been proven to me a million times over... no one person knows EVERYTHING. Comps and reissues of the past are all the doors that have been opened  by others before you. For those in the hip hop community that claim to know everything, you're only fooling yourself.. Ultimate Breaks and Beats taught you a TON. And, without them you probably wouldn't know HALF the shit you do. And, they also were some of the first reissues AND comps I knew about.  So, don't get it twisted, they too were COMPS.
So, onto sharing this excellent, and very common People's Choice 45.. just ONE of the many varied treats on the SOULIN' series.
Maybe I'll share more of them in the future too.. I'd really like to know who these folks were.. who put them together and how they came about. They must have been 1984 or 1985 when they came out? I'm not sure. Very early tho. Also would like to know more about these amazing covers.. the painted scenes of clubs and bars with musicians pouring out of the windows or patrons hanging around. Just incredible.


People's Choice - Let Me Do My Thing

Movie Special - 20 Feet From Stardom

On the surface its a music documentary. But, once you get past the first layer of this onion its completely something different. In fact, its more like a surgical slice right through everything you know as music today. It dissects pop and soul music and examines the back bone of super star performers and countless recordings by looking at back up singers and their incredible stories, contributions, and roles they played. Yet, the layers run even deeper still... it offers a look into the political side of music, the roles of women in music and the personal stories of some contemporary artists. It truly is so much more than your average music documentary. It's just damn excellent.
Hearing the vocals isolated on multi tracks is the glass bottom on the fishing boat. I was floored to hear the backing vocals in ways I've never had the chance, yet heart broken to hear some of these stories. Some stories tragic and some incredibly inspirational.

The movie features Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Gloria Jones, Claudia Lennear, Lisa Fischer, Judith Hill, The Waters Family, Tata Vega, Mable John, Janice Pendarvis, Lynn Mabry, David Lasley, Patty Austin, Edna Wright and fucking countless others. Now for us, more educated soul afficianadoes we know that technically these aren't all 'back ground' or 'back up' singers. And, some were parts of incredible groups like Parliament/Funkadelic or Honey Cone. But, it doesn't really matter, this story is about more than just that, it's about soul singers in general. That appears to be the 'backbone' of this story. It is more about the stories and paths of a handful of soul singers and some of them have been back up singers. Like I said before, more importantly its a look into the window of soul and rock and pop music.

Yes, that's Luther Vandross singing for David Bowie.

Luther honoring Lisa Fischer

The amazing Merry Clayton

The always bad-assiest Ikettes.

It's really about those folks that are just behind the limelight, have walked right beside it, and even been in it, but now still aren't household names. In a lot of ways it's a look at fame. It's a documentary about unsung singers, or lesser know heroes of music.
For that exact reason this movie gets the highest praise from us. Discovering singers or musicians on a big screen is a welcome thing, and why this movie completely won my heart. Plus I absolutely love these women soul singers that are speckled throughout the movie. They are indeed some of my favorites, worthy of worship, and damn deserving of some credit and shine!

Merry at an amazing moment listening to her isolated
backing vocals on 'Gimme Shelter'

Luther has always loved and valued backing vocals.

R&B's first action figures. 

For those of us that have 45's by Gloria Jones and Able Mable, and LP's by everyone from The Waters to Merry Clayton..they are ALREADY heroes in our world. We already know about these vocal beauties. We're already fans. But, this movie opens the door to a wider audience and folks that maybe don't know. Plus the artists get some much deserved respect and wider appreciation! You can't be mad at that. It does drift into a 'We Are The World' kinda vibe, and of course has the stereotypical 'oldies concert' feeling at the end. But, even though a bit mainstream, it's still a heart felt journey and a beautiful movie. It's few movies that get rated this high on Rotten Tomatoes and for good reason. Definitely gets the stamp of approval from Sound Boutique.
Go see this.

These backing singers got to fuel the 'sounds' of a revolution.

Bold Soul Sisters.

Phil Spector and Darlene Love - A complex relationship: Phil helped make
Darlene a legend, yet he also stole stardom from just outside her reach. 

YOU HAVE BEEN PROPERLY WARNED. DON'T MISS.

Mary Wells - Dig The Way I Feel

This is a tune brought in the shop by our friend Jesse. There's so much good stuff coming through the VAMP shop. If you're in the Oakland Area you gotta come through. Hit me up here for details or read other posts here that mention it.
I was kind of bred into soul music by the Chicanos and Mexicanos in my hood as a kid. They showed me how to crease my dickies and how to stand with my feet forming a V. I always hated converse, they were uncomfortable as hell. But, a derby jacket and a little pomade and I was good to go. The original San Francisco Miklo. This was a remarkable period for San Francisco. There were still bombs rolling the streets of the city blasting sweet soul music, beige creased dickies and black suspenders. Lowrider and Chicano culture was at an all time high in the Mission district of SF. I also remember once after relocating to the East Bay hearing an incredible Friday Night Oldies DJ on KPFA. The passionate and stylistic voice of the radio announcer speaking both English and Spanish and always embellishing in street slang. That was really a wicked show and that DJ should be a national treasure. Ah, those times I miss.

What really touched me about growing up in the hood and changed my life was the music. The Vato friend of mine from down the street left me with a handful of 45's that forever change my view. Oldies, funk, doo-wop and disco. Some of the most soulful music I had ever heard. Those nuggets left imprints that shaped my tastes to this very day. Parliament's 'Flash Light', The 'Theme From S.W.A.T.' and the hit oldies sound of Mary Wells and many others.

Mary's 'Two Lovers' and 'Don't Beat Me To The Punch' were in that beginning stack of 45's and were constantly played on my fisher price turntable. Still to this day I love that sound. As much as soul music and oldies are embedded in my soul, so was my love and respect for Chicano and Lowrider culture. It's no wonder that the two interests are so infused with each other. The devotion in the Lowrider and Oldies scene isn't any less intense than the manic and obsessive Northern, Deep Funk or Disco Scenes. We're still basically talking about records here. So, as you can imagine it's just as fathoms deep as any other record collecting circle, maybe even deeper.

When the wifey and I went out recently we stopped by the Casanova for an Oldies Night and release party for the Souleros Crew's piece in Wax Poetics and we had a fantastic time. Some of the nicest and friendliest folks I've met and a night of killer tunes. Some even I had to shout across the dance floor to any willing ear to tell me what was playing on the turntable. Great unknown oldies, Lowrider classics, Chicano Rock, and Latin Boogaloo groovers were being played.
The Souleros family host parties and dance nights with events featuring 'The Baddest Chola Contest' and performances from groups like Myron & E. These folks are doing it big and keeping the harmonies and sweet soulful sounds alive and well.

Not a good pic by any standards, but a terrific night of soul

The always visually pleasing art at Casanova

 Here's another fine tune by Mary Wells. It's from the same period as her 'Serving Up Some Soul' album for the Jubilee label. She had a hit on that LP with the tune 'The Doctor'. This was in 1968 long after she had left the Motown and Atco labels. In fact she had jumped aboard 20th Century as well for a short period, I think one album. This was her last volume of work before she completely abandoned the recording business. Mary had an incredible career of legendary soul tunes. 'My Guy', 'You Beat Me To The Punch', 'Two Lovers', 'The Doctor', an album dedicated to the Beatles, and a duet with Marvin Gaye...this gal has an impressive catalog to say the least.

Mary Wells - Dig The Way I Feel

Marv Johnson - With All That's In Me

Had to dig this one up once I started reminiscing about the golden mod days. This was a favorite of mine to bump on the incredible powerhouse of a sound system at 330 Ritch St. in San Francisco. For a few years Kirk Harper, Kitty, Joe Silva and I hosted a 60's and 70's soul night there.  Back when I could fit into a 3 pc. suit and spun around and boogalued like nobody's business!

This is quite a thunderous stomper and a bit haunted like most of the stuff I really like. Sounded so good nice and loud. A great piano riff and some murderous backing vocal lines delivered by some unknown soul sisters that literally burn it up. This has that real early Ray Charles style swing to it and has been a difficult 45 to track down. One of my faves. Hope you enjoy.

Mr. Marv Johnson

Marv Johnson - With All That's In Me

Barbara Mason - Ain't Got Nobody

Back to the swing and finger snaps of a good Northern dancer. Hot off the wheels of another killer nite at Lower Bottoms. This was as easy pull straight from my box of unplayed stuff that I brought. Songs I didn't get around to playing. Funny how you can bring a small box of 45's and still NOT play everything in it. Let me say again, how much it is to spin amongst the LB crew. I totally dig each of the other DJ's styles. In particular, I love Bobby's acid drenched funk, Adrianne's sweet and groovy soul and Joseph aka Trick Baby's completely unpredictable style. Always a good time and like I've starting saying lately, this is the best combo of hipster and homeless with a crackin' sound system I've been to since our very own Sound Boutique club.

From start to finish Barbara Mason has had huge hits and a knack for writing perfect little soul pop tunes. She's penned killer oldies sound with 'Yes, I'm Ready' in 1965 and brought the boogie back with 'Another Man' in 1984. Just an example of how lengthy and prolific her career has been. I'm happy to report Barbara is alive and well. Still singing and knocking the socks off of soul fans all over the world. This is just a small offering from Barbara, and we'll delve into much more of hers in the future.

 I hope you'll enjoy this nice and smooth dancer from this legendary Philly soul queen.


Barbara Mason - Ain't Got Nobody

Howard Tate - Stop

Damn. I can't believe it. Another one of my true soul hero's has gone. I just about cried when I heard the news. I couldn't believe it. I met Howard back some time ago. The timing was strange and I was visiting some family on the East Coast. It just so happened that he was playing a fair or festival near by and even more amazing my Brother, Andy Hess, was playing bass with Tate's band. We chatted about what songs he had to practice for the gig, and thanks to my brother, I was a shoe-in to hang and meet the great Howard Tate. Stoked that even my daughter got to see this massive soul legend.

He was never a legend in the sense that he got his fair shake. His masterpiece of a soul album never got the appropriate push, and Howard, quite possible one the greatest souls singers on the planet, fell into obscurity. Not with true soul heads mind you. Both Soul enthusiasts, musicians, and record nerds alike knew about Tate's music. Then AND now. But, we are in the minority.

In 1967 the Verve label released Howard's "Get It While You Can" album and gave it a luke warm backing. It was a thunderous masterpiece of astonishing soul power. But, Verve dropped the ball. Perhaps the label was busy with other projects.

Nevertheless, without a big push record sales were weak. And, Howard Tate was NOT a household name. Two subsequent albums didn't fair any better and Howard eventually quit the biz.
Trouble tightly traced Howard's life after that including the tragic loss of his daughter to house fire. He suffered an additcion to drugs and was homeless for a stretch. Eventually Howard pulled through on his own, became a minister, and sought to counseling those who were afflicted with the same condition.

It was miraculously the same soul devotees that found out what had happened to Howard that brought him back deservedly into the limelight. A mixture of several soul enthusiasts and radio deejays found out that Howard Tate was alive and well and sought to bring him back. Conversations about the extent of how much he was missed, loved and appreciated for his music convinced him to return to the stage.

He enjoyed close to the entire last decade performing and recording again. Walking out onto stages filled with appreciative crowds and standing ovations. Even his partner in the "Get It..." album, Jerry Ragovoy reunited with him and recorded 'Rediscovered' in 2003. Howard had a good run before his passing this past December 2nd, and was well loved by the soul community. We will forever love you and your music. Rest in Peace.

This song is NOT on the original 'Get It While You Can' album, and was only released as a single. It's a rarer song by Howard and doesn't make good sense to be excluded from the original album. But, included here for you, of course, as the rarer gem that you must hear. Both 'Stop' and 'Shoot 'em All Down' are nothing short of wicked powerhouses. Just as the entire LP is a solid stellar and amazing work of soul genius. Both Howard's incredible talent and Ragovoy's amazing writing contributed to one of the most important and incredible missing pieces of soul music vinyl grails.

Howard Tate signed my copy of this picture sleeve 45 back in 2004

Howard Tate - Stop

Carol Fran - I'm Gonna Try

Here's a wicked, wicked little soul stomper. This gift of passionate soul magic by Carol Fran is lead by a sledge hammer snare and a few tickles of piano. The bold and beautiful brass ruggedly wraps up Carol's delicious voice. I love how this song starts from scratch and builds up into this frenzy, and then calms down, and fires up again. Just a brilliant 60's soul tune.

I remember initially laying his down at the Ivy Room in Albany, California. Not long after scoring this 45, I played it at Soundboutique. Quite some time ago, and maybe father back than most can remember, or even know about for that matter, the name of this blog represented a Thursday deejay dance night at the Ivy Room. Those were seriously good times and the owners truly gave us the freedom to play what we wanted. This tune packed the floor the few times I played it, and we had prosperous run for that night. I'll always remember my conversation with the owner when we played Prince and AC/DC in the very beginning when the club was still empty and he said 'I think this is great...keep on doin' it' with a laid back satisfied look. They really did let us branch out and play what ever the fuck we wanted to. It was pop, commercial, underground, hip hop, soul, funk, rock, electro, nu-wave...whatever. Anything you could think of. Whatever our guest DJ's felt like playing. As long as you could dance to it. And, yes a lot of stuff like this Carol Fran 45. After all, I was involved so you could always count on a soul fix. We knew the owner had our backs when he paid to replace the blown sub woofer after our roasting of it with 'Under Mi Sleng Teng' by Wanye Smith.
That sub sonic bass is brutal even on a set of Meyers!

Carol Fran - I'm Gonna Try

Julian Covey - A Little Bit Hurt

From hard rock to hard organ blazin' mod soul. This little slab of boogaloo swingin' action has been in my mod 60's soul box ever since Alec Palao played it when we DJ'ed together many years ago. It's a hand clap groove with the simple addition of bass and piano. Once the organ sets in, it's hell fire to spark with mod shing-a-ling dance moves.

This track, a double breasted pin stripe suit and some talcum powder and you've any mod committed to the dance floor like nobody's business. It's a little over 2 minutes of pure fire.


From this heavy rhythm guided groover it's easy to tell that Julian Covey was a drummer. Julian's real name is Philip Kinorra. He's played with British organ and groove kingpins Graham Bond and Brian Auger. Right along side McDuff and McGriff, Graham and Brian ushered in my introduction to organ, fresh from the mod days right into acid jazz and rare groove. Hard to deny the underbelly of a Latin groove with that bad ass conga and stand up bass. In fact it's a hybrid of true Latin soul that somehow meets Spencer Davis' 'I'm A Man' somewhere in the middle.


I'm a little bit hurt by just what a monster tune this is. Hope you agree.


Julian Covey - A Little Bit Hurt

The Charmels - As Long As I've Got You

Happy Valentines Day from us here at Soundboutique to you.
No tune better exemplifies a sweet heart Valentine's gift in musical form to me. This song rocks it on so many levels. It appeases me on at least three different levels I can think of. For one, it brings me back to another era of hip hop that was truly innovative, fresh, and still creative. Wu tang sampled this song and many others like it that didn't fit the usual characteristics of sample material of the times. Their samples weren't typically funky, they ignored lead vocals that often overlapped into the beat, and mainly used samples from northern, southern and sweet soul genres. At the time of their debut LP that sampled this song no one was doing what they were. On the second hand, this is from the legendary Stax and Volt label and has a signature stamp of soul ingredients that many a soul collector have loved and treasured like no other label. Not to mention it's one of the rarer releases on the volt label. It's a beautifully recorded song, orchestrated and composed like a sunbeam from a cloud straight out of soul heaven. Everything out of Stax and Volt had incredible promise, endless talent and amazing musicianship. Thirdly, this song typifies the 'oldies' sound to me, works well bumpin out of the bombs cruising up and down the boulevard, and stands on it's own as a perfected jewel of songwriting. 'As Long As I've Got You' is quite possibly the best soul song I've ever heard. It's been re-issued, bootlegged, sampled, covered, comped, and remastered countless times. To only further prove my three before mentioned points...it's mutually loved by the 'Oldies' fanatics, coveted by crate diggin' hip hop heads, and highly regarded by deep soul enthusiasts. Loved on so many levels and desired by many a record hunter. I have it, but I'm always wishing I will find it again in a cleaner condition. It cascades through several almost perfect changes almost like a psychedelic dream. It's hard to figure where it's going on first listen, and by the time you figure it out, it's all over. I'd listen to this jam over and over. Man, I wish I could listen to the master reels on this one...It'd be great to extend it and dub it out. At least that hasn't been done yet.

Eula Jean Rivers, Mary Hunt, Mildred Pratchett, and Barbara McCoy

So, The Charmels got together roughly in 1966 and quickly disbanded a few years later. After a few 45 releases amounting to 4-6 songs and a few member changes they broke up. None of these songs ever yielded them any success and it was many years later when that story changed. Hard to say if any surviving members made any royalty cash from the Wu's C.R.E.A.M. single, but the respect and appreciation is undeniable. After Wu-tangs treatment, the El Michels Affair took a turn and burned out a nice instrumental version. I've also heard there's another version by a soul girl group that covered it a few years later, somewhere around 1971, but I have yet to hear it.


Some of the members were in the Dixiebelles and they were with the Sound Stage Seven label in the late 50's and early 60's. They then formed The Tonettes and recorded a few singles for the Volt label. Thank goodness for the 'Complete Stax/Volt Singles' for being so 'complete' and if you're interested, you can easily hear the Tonettes and Charmels offerings in the highest quality CD format in those box sets. Like I mentioned above, they formed in 1966, but had several change in members from then until 68. I'm not entirely sure who is picture tod the right, in this photo, but I'm pretty sure the names fit with the above picture. If you have more history on this fine group, knew them, or were in this group.. please get a hold of us.... we want to talk to you. We hope to feature more by the Charmels in the future, and also track down this notorious 'other' version of this song.

The Charmels - As Long As I've Got You

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell - Baby Don'tcha Worry

This used to be a regular spin of mine. I recently came across this LP for a buck while browsing at a thrift store. Couldn't pass it up and played it out again just like old times. I had the pleasure of spinning with Jason, Jason, and Bill at the Layover at their wonderful night Beatific. Fine East Bay night featuring all styles of music, great diverse crowd, and a decent sound system for a small spot. Not to mention in select spots like this, East Bay underground music appreciation is at an all time high. Love it, all you good EB folks. I don't think this tune followed 'Gangster of Love' by Snoop Dogg very well due to it's 1960's heavy stereo separation mix, but it got love anyway (as it should).

MG and TT as I like to call them, were dynamic together in their soulfulness time and time again. Over and over on every song and LP. At the time they were the King and Queen of pure soul. The recordings are incredible. Production is perfect and stereo separation of the tracks and instruments just makes it that much sweeter. It's that Motor City Magic once again. But, even more amazing are the incredible stories behind their lives. Tammi suffered a horrible bout with brain tumors for most of her life. And, Marvin was riddled and torn with a struggle within himself due to depression and an abusive father. Not only did MG and TT find solace and happiness with each other, but they gave the world a brand of soul music it had never heard before.

This marvelous funky cut is from their classic 'You're All I Need To Get By' LP. A standard text book issue for Soul Appreciation 101A. Do your homework!


Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell - Baby Don'tcha Worry

The Orlons - South Street

Let me first say,  I'm thrilled to be back at this. I've been busy beyond belief! Somewhere amidst my usual busyness I've found time to get married, take on a new business partner, grow my current business, and develop new biz endeavours. So, for me..things are hectic and my calender is packed. But, I get so much pleasure out of sharing tracks and appreciate so much the feedback we get here. So, I'm relishing in this moment and here we go... These have all been life changing things going on for me. Definitely the most 'life changing' was getting married. One thing that came to mind during 'getting married' was MUSIC. I literally woke up the morning of my marriage with the tune "Going to the chapel' in my head. I suppose that's not such a stretch considering what I was to partake in that day. But, it was remarkable the amount of these happy little 'fitting' tunes kept popping into my head. For some reason, the jingles from several 50's and 60's soul tunes were on my mind. I remember the last major life changing thing for me was the birth of my daughter, and that day too was blessed with music running through my mind. That time it was 'Lady' by Modjo. It was still being played on the radio and in the occassional car driving by at that time. 'Lady' is actually the brilliant Nile Rodgers and Chic masterpiece 'Soup For One' from the movie of the same name. That became the theme for my child's birth. So, this brings me to the story of how the Orlons became the theme music for my holy matrimony. From 'Going To The Chapel' to 'Don't Hang Up' the transition wasn't very hard. Actually it went...'Chapel' to 'Be My Baby' by the Ronettes and then 'Da Do Ron Ron' by The Crystals and 'The Wah-Watusi' by The Orlons. All within the tracks of my mind. lol. Yes, there is a strange 'Quadraphenia' thing happening here as well.
I pulled out (miraculous if you know me and my collection: I can NEVER find anything I want to play and hear) the several Orlons records I have. They're all so cute with pictures of them on the covers.  Wigs, white gloves, impeccable suits, and beehives several feet high. The more I dug through my 45's the more I dug the Orlons.
Most of their jams are full of energy and excitement. In fact most struck me as needing to be looped up and made into some kind of 50's and early 60's hip hop be-bop. The drums are punchy, horns tight, and vocals poppin. Everything is recorded nice and loud and all the elements are full and crisp.
The flip side here is 'Them Terrible Boots' another killer Orlons offering.

I'm still tripping on how this cat in the Orlons gets that voice so deep. Still also tripping that now I'm hitched. But, just another thing to thank the wife for...getting such lovely music stuck in my head.
I highly recommend getting a best of the Orlons LP or just plain downloading that shit. It's strikingly DOPE and fresh sounding even to this day.


(Actually the last time I had the energy and intent to 'up' a new post here on this blog, my trustworthy 'mediafire' site was not working. So, now that things are right again...)




The Orlons - South Street

General Johnson - Don't Walk Away

Earlier this month the great General Johnson passed away. It's been a tough year, many of our soul and funk heroes have passed on. Just a reminder I suppose that if we love our 'old school' artists we should show them, honor them and see them perform while they are still around. Just this month alone we've lost the great Gregory Isaacs, Ari Up from the Slits died at the early age of 48, and General Johnson died of Lung Cancer. It's been a bummer to hear about such great artists passing away. Everyone from the wholesome to the exploitative... from Leave It To Beaver's Barbara Billingsley to Penthouse photographer Bob Guiccione...they both passed in October as well. It's a bit much!

Out goes General Johnson as well. General Norman Johnson is probably best known for being in The Chairmen Of the Board. From the well known '(Gimme) Just A Little Time' which charted quite well, to the soul anthem of 'Gone Fishin'' the Chairmen 'brought it' to the soul fans. '(Gimme) Just a little more time' is classic soul by the chairmen, and additionally the General penned 'Want Ads', and 'One Monkey Don't Stop The Show' for Honeycone.

He started out in 1961 performing and writing with The Showmen, known best for 'It Will Stand' on Minit Records. Then with the Chairmen Of The Board cut several records for Invictus. One of which was recorded in a very heavy Funkadelic fashion with Bernie Worrell and Eddie Hazel called 'Skin I'm In'. Mr. Johnson has an impressive catalog and recorded just about every style of soul music possible from 1961 to his death this month. An incredible artist with so many contributions to soul music.
This tune in particular is a classic nice little stepper from his self titled solo LP released in 1976. This is excellent soul music. One of my absolute favorite soul tunes EVER.

I guess why I'm personally affected by these deaths is that I'm heavily entrenched in the eras of the past. It would feel different if we had staples of artists today that were making waves like the ones before. Just a lot happened that was important and vital in musics history. Like, how many pop bands these days perform with any instruments? Probably very few. Certainly fewer compared to those of the 60's, 70's, and even the 80's. And, the same goes for talent. General Johnson had an immense amount of talent and skill. I hope you enjoy this sophisticated soul number done by the man who now chairs the soul council in the sky!




General Johnson - Don't Walk Away

The Metros - Since I Found My Baby

It's funny, the first thing that came to mind for me when I posted "Since I Lost My Baby' by The Temptations was this tune. While the Tempts are hugely well known, the opposite can be said for The Metros. Although they were lesser known, the influence of the budding Motown sound is clear. From the sharp arsenal of instruments and the full production, you can tell Motor city had it's affect on The Metros.

This tune from their 1967 RCA LP "Sweetest One" is a marvel of a tune and a smokin' hot soul dancer. I've been wanting to retread or back step into my DJ material from my years as a mod. No tune better exemplifies the sound that I was into at that time. It's an essential northern soul tune. I like to call it secret agent soul. It's slick, smooth, polished and ever so deadly. Reminds me of the crisp 'big boy' sound system at 330 Ritch Street back when Kitty, Kirk Harper and I (and frequent guests) would DJ the soul nite called 'In and Out' once a month. Things like this tune always sounded so incredible on that huge sound system. Although, I was mostly known for playing funkier and more southern type stuff, I had my moments of glazing the soul donuts too. I was just as happy to button the fourth button and break out the talcum power when it came to numbers like this. It was a great period for me, expanding my interests in 60's and 70's club soul, be it funky or northern, pop or underground.

The Metros were Percy Williams, James Buckman, Robert Suttles, and Arthur Mitchell. All incredibly talented vocalists. Produced by Jack Ashford (Hotel Sheet) and Joe Hunter, also known as the Pied Piper production team. This song also features a young guitarist known as Dave Hamilton. Sadly this was their only full length LP, and only book cased it with a few 45 releases. They formed in 1966 and quickly separated late the next year.
Too Bad, The Metros had such great potential. 

That's two 'Since I ____ My Baby' tunes in one week! But, I'll spare you all from my horrific 'blanked my baby' jokes. Just glad that now, what was once lost, is now found. Cheers.

GO METROS!


The Metros - Since I Found My Baby

The Temptations - Since I Lost My Baby

Speaking of slow burners, here's one from the emperors of sweet soul. I haven't listened to this for a great length of time. Probably since my mod days back when we constantly played The Actions' version. I had been thinking about Motown lately as I had just watched the Tammi Terrell special on 'Unsung'. The Tammi Terrell story is simply an incredible one, and you should do whatever you can to see it.

Just today I came across this LP, 'Temptin'' by The Temptations at a thrift store. It has all the classic elements of Motown production..  clean and crisp piano, elegant strings, drums that crackle like a great northern soul storm, and topped with a silvery coating of vocals. It's a great underplayed song. Just a genius, sincere and heartfelt tune about bitter loss.

I actually give The Action a lot of credit for doing a fine cover of this song. They had the chance to do it over, giving it strength in new parts of the song. But, the Tempts are still kings in my book and no one can hold a flame to the arsenal of beautiful music they put out. This being just another fine example of what they and the Motown squad had to offer in 1965.


The Temptations - Since I Lost My Baby