WAKEFIELD SUN - TRYPT ON LOVE

(originally posted 6/21/09)

Another one where both sides are justified for inclusion, another one in which very little is known about the band!

"Trypt On Love" (actually the b-side) has been a HUGE favorite on the northern soul scene since the 70's, but a search for info about the band yielded nothing. What a great song it is, although it was probably written as a psychedelic exploitation track.

The actual "a" side is a of the Sly & The Family Stone hit "Sing A Simple Song" and is quite good as well.

As usual, if you have any more info, PLEASE let me know!

from 1969...

WAKEFIELD SUN - TRYPT ON LOVE

CALVIN ARNOLD - SATISFY MY WOMAN

On this sweet grooving side, we find Georgia born soul impresario (singer/ songwriter/ producer/ studio owner) Calvin Arnold parlaying some very important advice that all of us fellas can live on.

from 1975...

CALVIN ARNOLD - SATISFY MY WOMAN

THE VISITORS - I'M IN DANGER

This record is just so, well, GROOVE-Y. One of those cuts that just shuffles along and brings a smile to the face.

The success of the Chi-Lites brought about a glorious resurgence of group harmony within the already fertile Chicago soul scene, spawning a whole crop of fabulous records. Given the sound, it's no surprise that the record was arranged by Willie Henderson (he worked often with Carl Davis on arrangements for the likes of The Chi-Lites and Barbara Acklin to name but two), and the main Chi-Lite himself, Eugene Record, producing. Other than the fact of two releases on the Dakar label, I'm afraid that I know nothing of the Visitors. Thankfully, we have this reminder of their fabulous sound, which rates in the upper echelon of sweet soul.

from 1969...

THE VISITORS - I'M IN DANGER

ERMA FRANKLIN - DON'T WAIT TOO LONG

Sadly, Erma Franklin never achieved the massive success of her younger sister Aretha, but talent certainly ran HIGH in the Franklin family, as Erma's voice was as husky as Aretha's was brassy.

Erma's biggest hit was the original recording of "Piece Of My Heart", but she also sang backups on many of Aretha's greatest hits.

While still in high school, Erma was offered the first recording contract by Berry Gordy for what was to become the Tamla/ Motown empire. Her father (the reverend C L Franklin) would not allow this, and encouraged Erma to stay in school. Who knows how different fate would have been...

On this track, Erma belts out some serious vocal prowess over some downright frighteningly intense, rhythm and blues.

from 1962...

ERMA FRANKLIN - DON'T WAIT TOO LONG

SAM & KITTY - I'VE GOT SOMETHING GOOD

This is a Chicago record, but beyond the real names of the performers (Leroy Dandridge & Edith Brown), not a whole lot is known about the duo.

While the lyrics couldn't be more simple, the message is effective and with a stomping beat like this, what else really matters?

from 1966...

SAM & KITTY - I'VE GOT SOMETHING GOOD



 

THE WEBS - GIVE IN

(originally posted July 2009)
The Webs made the trip fro San Antonio, TX to New York City, and cut a string of excellent 45's for Verve and Atlantic records which never received the success they deserved.

From the intro, you KNOW this track means business, and it establishes a groove so deep it's no sense fighting it, you HAVE to fall in. The vocals are top notch, freaky syncopated organ chops, and LOUD guitar that's practically punk rock. They don't get any better than this jam.

from 1967...

THE WEBS - GIVE IN

POPULAR FIVE - I'M A LOVE MAKER

While it may take a fairly large amount of self-confidence to deliver the type of braggadocio as heard in the lyrics here (delivered smoothly by lead singer Warren Wilson), the bubbling groove that drives the song along no doubt helps power the boasts! The rumbling, manic bass guitar on the track SOUNDS like love making as well...

Unfortunately, Popular Five did not live up their name and had very little commercial success for their four 45 releases, although the roots of the group run deep, as vocalist Jimmy Keyes was an original member of doo wop group The Chords.

from 1968...

POPULAR FIVE - I'M A LOVE MAKER

EDDIE FLOYD - PROVE IT TO ME

Here it is, 1977, and we find Memphis soul veteran Eddie Floyd practically inventing the rock-soul sound of Prince, one full year before the Purple One's debut!

While this song was relegated to b-side status, it's great to hear Eddie Floyd show off the power of his rich voice on top of an excellent, funky arrangement (courtesy of the legendary New Orleans raconteur Wardell Quezergue).

Eddie Floyd was new to Malaco Records at this point, as Stax had shut its doors for good two years prior, and after a dcade of struggle-hit song-struggle, Malaco had finally gained a strong footing financially thanks to the worldwide success of Dorothy Moore's amazing "Misty Blue". Turned out that Malaco became a sanctuary of sorts to southern soul, blues and gospel artists who were able to retain their raw edges in a recording world that had rapidly changed and lost a whole lot of soul as a whole.

from 1977...

EDDIE FLOYD - PROVE IT TO ME

WALLACE BROTHERS - PRECIOUS WORDS

"Precious Words" sounds like it's straight out of the church, but with secular lyrics. The disc was the second release from the teenage Wallace Brothers (featuring several actual Wallace brothers- including Ervin on vocals and guitar, plus cousin Johnny Simon (also on vocals).

Raw and emotional, this disc epitomizes southern soul music.

from 1964...

WALLACE BROTHERS - PRECIOUS WORDS

THE SHINDOGS - JUST WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE

Along with Hoss Allen's The !!!! Beat, Shindig, as hosted by the ultra-cool DJ Jimmy O'Neill, were the two greatest music programs of the '60's.

For two glorious years ('65-'66), Shindig broke ground not only as a cutting-edge, hip program, but one that also featured a racially integrated house band, and one that brought black singers into prime time in a way that was respectful and FUN.

The Shindogs were the house band, and they backed up many of the artists who appeared on the show. The group was loaded with a revolving door of heavy talents such as Glen Campbell, Delaney Bramlett, Leon Russell (pre-beard), Billy Preston, James Burton (and plenty of others).

Thankfully, The Shindogs were able to cut their own ACE 45, which I proudly present today as a bit of a late tribute to Jimmy O'Neill who passed away in January of this year.

The British Invasion-inspired beat is irresistible here, the vocals are superb, and once the guitar break hits, the song transports us all back to 1965, and I for one don't plan on coming back.

from 1965...

THE SHINDOGS - JUST WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE

BILLY (THE KID) EMERSON - EVERY WOMAN I KNOW

Well before the time this record was released (itself a remake of a record Billy cut on Sun Records in 1955), Florida born Billy (The Kid Emerson) was a veteran of the US Navy (WWII), US Airforce, was a Sun Records artist (during which time he wrote the rockabilly classic "Red Hot"), and also did time as a member of Ike Turner's Kings Of Rhythm. All this BEFORE 1955, in fact!

Around '55, Billy moved to Chicago where he signed to Vee Jay records (then later Chess), and while he was successful songwriter and live performer, his own records didn't make much of a dent. In '66 he started his own record label (Tarpon) of which this was the debut. He also released Denise LaSalle excellent "A Love Reputation" during the same year.

This remake is hot stuff indeed, and nicely updated the number into an intense mid-60's r&b workout.

from 1966...

BILLY (THE KID) EMERSON - EVERY WOMAN I KNOW