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

Bobby Bland - I Wouldn't Treat A Dog (The Way You Treated Me)

Aside from being a strong runner for longest song title in the world, it's a tasty bit of bluesy funk from the incomparable Bobby 'Blue' Bland.
When I discovered his original version it knocked me down. You see, I had only heard the Rhythm Heritage's version, which was flip side to 'The Theme From S.W.A.T.'
When I was a kid growing up in San Francisco I had a small group of 45's. No more than a nine year old should have. A few I remember... 'More Bounce To The Ounce', 'Flashlight' and 'SWAT Theme'. I remember as kids popping and locking in the bathrooms at school to these songs. Perhaps only having exposure to a few 45's, I fell in love with 'treat you like a dog' even as an instrumental track. Their version is actually pretty sick too. It was something about the melody and hook. So, you can imagine 15 years later when I heard Bobby's smooth vocals my head just about shattered. Or, perhaps it was my pants that shattered? (thanks JB for the shitty visuals) But, nevertheless this tune is a swooner. Laid back urban funky groove from 'the man' of the blues himself Bobby Bland.



Bobby Bland - I Wouldn't Treat A Dog (The Way You Treated Me)

The Shocking Blue - Inkpot

The Shocking Blue are one of my all time favorite bands. Originally hailing from the Hague, in the Netherlands they were one of few bands to become a pop success outside of their native homeland. They had their feet firmly planted in both the 60's and 70's and made an impressive catalog of tunes. From the first LP "At Home" on Pink Elephant in 1969 to this 1972 track it's all quality stuff.

Originally formed by Robbie van Leeuwen in 1967 they only had minor success until Mariska Veres took over the vocals. Her powerful voice lead them to a number one single with 'Venus' and commandeered their strong and passionate sound. Most Shocking Blue tracks rage with an unstoppable fire. Simple melodies, clear separation of elements and always with hard drums. The production on all of their material has a serious bite. Everything is loud in the mix and you can plainly hear each individual instrument, making it that much more powerful when things come together. For Shocking Blue it often does come together, and the end result and final package is hard rock with serious soul. If you like your rock and roll with fury and a punch, they're the band for you.
In the eastern melodies, regular use of electric sitar, and tablas, they laid the groundwork for an evil web of rock 'n roll. A sound that later would be harvested by groups ranging from Black Sabbath to Nirvana. Not to mention they became a favorite of beat diggers, funk collectors and rare groove DJ's world wide. Based on snappy drums, breaks, and general potential as a rock group to be sampled, they became even more desired.
Mariska's vocal talents are unbelievable, her vocals soar throughout each number. Those like myself that have an affinity for poorly pronounced english and unusual accents will be pleased with their material. As is the case with a lot of Dutch rock, some words sound even better when pronounced differently. It's not so much how it's said that's important, but what they say. And, there's a LOT of cosmic content to the lyrics here, referencing the sun, the moon and the stars. The lyrics are often heavy with metaphors and imagery.
I also became obsessed with them visually, collecting every 45 release and strange Japanese LP issue just for another cool pic of them. They do look super fab. Sporting the best threads and blending 60's swingin' London with the bright and colorful platform of the 70's glam trip.

This particular track is a light number with a bugglegum or pop feel, yet hardened up with wicked sitar and wah-wah electric sarod. They got a positive message here, and it's one of their less dark tunes..although you can still hear that it dips into that spooky feeling a bit too. The 'Shoe-be-do-wah' lyrics might lose a few customers here, but will more than make up for it with the eastern grooves and bangin' drums. It's psychedelic pop in it's purest form. The changes and grooves laid herein is a small sample of what Shocking Blue are all about.

I highly recommend ALL of SB's material. If you're already familiar with them, you may think why 'Inkpot'? It's partly because it's one of their under-played tunes. I'm a fan as much of this as I am of the smashing 60's punk fury of 'Long And Lonesome Road' Again, all of the Shocking Blue is good. 'Rock In The Sea' which sounds like an early Cure song, is another one from this same year that's incredible as well. There will be many more to post from them in the future. They've got so much good stuff, you could really begin anywhere. I'd start with the first LP, or any compilation of all of their singles.


The Shocking Blue - Inkpot

Matata - I Want You

Matata were obviously inspired tremendously by James Brown. One listen to "I Feel Funky" affirms they were huge fans of the heavy funk scene in the US. In fact their LP "Independence" directly channels the feel of Fred Wesley, Maceo, and the JB's first albums. Lead singer Anwar Richards pulls off a pretty mean scream and is generally pretty masterful at capturing the JB vibe. If ever there's a solid afro funk LP, this is probably the one. In addition to Anwar's amazing vocals the band is rumored to be comprised of top notch session players. A hit list from both Kenya and Ghana of amazing afro funk musicians thrown together for Matata. This incredible line up made every track they recorded solid funk bomb material.

This 7 inch has "I Want You" and "I Feel Funky". It's a great 7 inch to have. Both songs are incredible. They are probably the best two from the album. They're both from the 'Independence' LP on President Records. President is probably one of my all time favorite UK labels. Largely in part to being the label for most of the material by The Equals. I'm a huge fan of the Equals and I'm working on a tribute to the Equals in an upcoming post. Secondly, they were the label for Matata. Thirdly, they were responsible for bringing the T.K. and Miami sound to Britain. President records has a looooong and impressive catalog. Aside from having the other highly desired funk bomb "Talkin' Talking" on it, this entire LP is solid thru and thru. This incredible LP gets the highest recommendation I could possibly give. And, if deep funk is your thing you should track it down.

So, I'm giving up both sides of this incredible 7 inch and two tracks from the LP. I was tempted to only leave you with "I Want You" because its the best track by them...period. But, with four others, you should be able to make your own decision.

Enjoy....

Matata

Matata - I Want You
Matata - I Feel Funky
Matata - Talkin' Talkin'
Matata - Gimme Some Lovin'