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By Larry, September 4, 2016 9:43 am

Major Lance

Listen/Download – Major Lance – Mama Didn’t Know MP3

Greetings all.

Welcome to another week here where the corners are funky and the music mellow as a cello.

Today’s selection is yet another one of those object lessons in flipping over your 45s.

I was goin through a box of wax and I pulled out Major Lance’s best known number, ‘The Monkey Time’, the first of a long string of hits that started in 1963, making him one of the finest exponents of classic-era Chicago soul.

That 45 was the work of a veritable dream team, with writing by Curtis Mayfield, arranging by Johnny Pate, and production by Carl Davis.

Now, when I took the disc out, I realized that I had no idea what was on the flip, so I flipped it over (naturally) to discover another Curtis Mayfield song, ‘Mama Didn’t Know’.

The title didn’t ring any bells, but as soon as I put under the needle, I realized that what I was hearing was an ‘answer’ record to Jan Bradley’s big hit (from earlier the same year) ‘Mama Didn’t Lie’, also – coincidentally – composed by the mighty Mr Mayfield.

Curtis, genius that he was, manages to ‘answer’ the other record, while dancing around the original melody, yet not getting too close, which is what a perfect answer record is supposed to do.

It helps that the team behind Bradley’s record gave it an entirely different sound, less polished than the Mayfield/Pate/Davis triumvirate, so Lance’s number never gives off rip-off vibes.

It may not be a monumental or essential disc, but it is proof, yet again of the amazing well of talent available in Chicago during the 60s.

I hope you dig it, and I’ll see you all on Wednesday.

Keep the faith

Larry

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PS Head over to Iron Leg too.