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By Larry, August 25, 2011 8:06 am

Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson

Listen/Download – Marlena Shaw – California Soul

Listen/Download – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell – California Soul

Listen/Download – Undisputed Truth – California Soul

Listen/Download – Tamba 4 – California Soul

Listen/Download – Steve Allen and Oliver Nelson – California Soul

Greetings all.

Before we get started I’d like to remind you all that the Funky16Corners Radio Show returns to the air this Friday night at 9PM at Viva Radio. You can also pick up the MP3 download of the show here at the blog (click on the Radio Show tab in the header) the day after the show airs.

This has been another one of those exceedingly sad weeks when musical giants seem to be falling whenever you turn around.

This particular week has been an especially bad one when you take into account the loss of not one but two exceptional songwriters, first Jerry Leiber, and then the mighty Nick Ashford.

Though he’s known to a generation or two as part of the singing duo of Ashford and Simpson (with his wife and writing partner Valerie Simpson), soul and R&B fans know him first and foremost as part of the team that wrote a long list of certifiable soul music classics.

During the mid-to-late 60s, Ashford and Simpson (sometimes with the help of Jo Armstead) composed a series of hits for artists like Ray Charles (Let’s Go Get Stoned and I Don’t Need No Doctor), Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell (Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing, You’re All I Need To Get By), Diana Ross (Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand), and Chaka Khan (I’m Every Woman), before hitting as a performing duo, from ‘Don’t Cost You Nothin’ in 1977 to their biggest hit ‘Solid’ in 1984.

Both Ashford and Simpson had recorded as solos in the 60s, including Ashford’s original versions of ‘Let’s Go Get Stoned’ and the song we remember today ‘California Soul’.

The first time I remember hearing (and falling in love with) ‘California Soul’ was in 1969, when my Mom was playing the hit version by the 5th Dimension (also the first place I ever heard a Laura Nyro song).

Many years later, when I was digging for funk and soul and became enamored of the work of the genius Richard Evans, it was the version by Marlena Shaw that I sought, after hearing is chopped by DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist.

The song has become my favorite Ashford and Simpson composition for a number of reasons, but mainly the chord changes and the lyrics.

It harkens back to a time when California held a special place in the American imagination as a spot on the western horizon filled with the promise of a new, sunshine-filled life and prosperity (though it would be very interesting to juxtapose any vocal version of this with Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil’s less optimistic ‘Black California’).

Like Jerry Leiber, Nickolas Ashford was the main lyricist in the songwriting duo, and ‘California Soul’ is a fantastic example of his prowess in the regard, especially the following stanza:

They say the sun comes up every morning
And if you listen oh so carefully
The winds that ride on the high time
Whistle in melody
And so the people started to sing
And that’s how the surf gave birth untold
To California soul, California soul

Collecting versions of ‘California Soul’ became something of a hobby, and over the years I’ve found several, many of which I bring you today.

First and foremost is the Marlena Shaw take. I’ve spun this out at funk and soul night’s many times, and while the appeal may start with that stellar break (Morris Jennings Jr) it only grows when Miss Shaw starts singing. Hers is by far the most powerful version of the song I’ve heard, from her own voice to the brilliant arrangement by Charles Stepney and production by Evans. It simply kills from start to finish.

Next up we have a couple of takes from the Motown stable.

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s version, while not as dynamic as Shaw’s features their fantastic vocal blend, so it is definitely worth hearing.

The Undisputed Truth’s version of the song, produced by none other than Norman Whitfield is a tiny bit funkier, and most definitely more atmospheric. I really dig the bass, as well as the background vocals. This is the moodiest of the versions I’ve heard.

The most unusual take on the tune is the rare promo-only version by Brazil’s Tamba 4. Recorded in 1969 for an LP that was never issued, Tamba 4 take the tune at a brisk pace and feature the electric piano.

The last version of ‘California Soul’ that I’ll bring you today is my most recent find, from a 1969 album by Steve Allen and Oliver Nelson. While Allen’s contributions to the sessions seem to be limited to his celebrity and some keyboard noodling, the arrangement by Nelson is (as always) top notch.

It’s a fantastic song no matter how you look at it (or hear it) and it is really worth hearing it interpreted several ways.

I hope you dig it, and raise a glass in memory of Nick Ashford.

See you on Monday.

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

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By Larry, August 23, 2011 11:57 am

Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber

Listen/Download – Alvin Robinson – Down Home Girl

Listen/Download – The Coasters – Down Home Girl

Listen/Download – The Coasters – Soul Pad
Greetings all.

Sweet weeping jeebus I am bummed, on account of last night, as I was settling in for my rest word came down that one of my all-time musical idols, Jerry Leiber had passed away.

If the name is not immediately familiar, pair it with that of Mike Stoller, and then step off the curb into an abyss of rock’n’roll, R&B and soul history, where the pair stand astride the past 50 plus years as a mighty colossus of songwriting and production.

To say that Leiber/Stoller songs were a huge part of my musical mindset would be a giant understatement.

As I sit here writing this tribute, with the Coasters version of ‘Down Home Girl’ playing on a loop in my headphones, tears welling up in my eyes, I think of how much Leiber and Stoller’s work, from the Coasters on up through Miss Peggy Lee (see Iron Leg next Monday) has meant to me.

Though both of them hailed from the East Coast, Leiber and Stoller came together in Los Angeles in the early 50s where their songwriting empire (using that word to denote a kingdom as opposed to merely a financial construct) came into being, where their earliest successes formed a veritable cornerstone of 50s R&B, with ‘Kansas City’ and ‘Hound Dog’ (the proceeds of which probably yielded enough hundred dollar bills to compact them into solid blocks and build a literal foundation).

They went on to work with the Robins, which begat the Coasters for whom L&S created almost two dozen chart hits, on to the Drifters (There Goes My Baby, On Broadway), Ben E King and countless others.

The pair also had their own labels for a time, with the Red Bird/Blue Cat/Tiger axis that brought us the Dixie Cups, Shangri Las, Alvin Robinson, Ad Libs, Bessie Banks, Evie Sands, and many more.

The thing that always grabbed me about their best work as songwriters/record crafters was the fact that they were almost unequalled in the amount of gritty joie de vive that they could pack into the grooves of a three-minute record.

Though the Coasters were always known for the comedic feel of their 45s, the records they made with L&S were far more sophisticated than “funny”. They were kinetic, explosive, sexy, and manic, layered with heart and soul.

Though their collaboration (which often expanded to include other songwriters like Artie Butler, Phil Spector or Mann and Weil) could be described as symbiotic, the lion’s share of the lyrics were created by Jerry Leiber.

Of all the classics they created, none resonates with me more than ‘Down Home Girl’.

I first encountered the original recording by Alvin Robinson many years ago on a comp of New Orleans soul and though I came away from that record wanting to know more about many of the artists, none of the songs kicked me in the ass like ‘Down Home Girl’.

I can’t think of a finer bit of pop poetry:

Lord I swear the perfume you wear
Was made out of turnip greens
And everytime I kiss you girl
It tastes like pork and beans
Even though you’re wearin’ them
Citified high heels
I can tell by your giant step
You been walkin’ through the cotton fields
Oh, you’re so down home girl

Everytime you monkey child
You take my breath away
And everytime you move like that
I gotta get down and pray
Don’t you know that dress of yours
Was made out of fiberglass
And everytime you move like that
I gotta go to Sunday mass
Oh, you’re so down home girl

Oh, you’re so down home girl

I’m gonna take you to the muddy river
And push you in
Just to watch the water roll on
Down your velvet skin
I’m gonna take you back to New Orleans
Down in Dixieland
I’m gonna watch you do the second line
With an umbrella in your hand
Oh, you’re so down home girl

I’m with ya baby
You’re so down home
Ow! Yeah, too much
Outta sight
You’re so down home girl

The fact that Leiber and Stoller thought to have Alvin Robinson, an obscure New Orleans guitarist and singer (who just happened to have a remarkable voice) deliver such a vivid, lascivious, funny set of lyrics is one of the great musical intersections of their long, stellar career.

It’s a record that these many years later I still find new things to love every time I listen to it. Robinson’s vocal is up to the task (and then some) of delivering one of Leiber’s finest lyrics, packed with subtle twists and turns.

The Coasters remarkable 1967 two-sider of ‘Down Home Girl’ and ‘Soul Pad’ was almost a half-decade past their last hit, and despite its obvious quality, did not return them to the charts.

Their slightly funky take on ‘Down Home Girl’ shows a more relaxed side of the group, but their old selves still manage to poke through here and there.

‘Soul Pad’ is – at least in my opinion – one of Leiber’s funniest lyrics with references to Thelonious Monk and psychedelics, and the arrangement by Mike Stoller is perfection.

Jerry Leiber may not be with us any longer, but the music he created over more than 60 years will live forever. I know that sounds like a cliché (and it is, really), but it’s also true.

You know that somewhere, long after we’re all gone, some space amoeba in the far reaches of the universe will be splitting over and over again to the reverberations of a Leiber and Stoller song, pulsing on radio waves, galloping through the ether.

As it should be.

See you all on Friday with a tribute to the mighty Nick Ashford.

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (1)

By Larry, July 12, 2011 3:09 pm

Billy Butler (center) and the Chanters

Listen/Download – Billy Butler – Right Track

Greetings all.

Before we get rolling I have a few short items on the agenda that must be addressed.

First, I heard yesterday that the might composer and producer Alphonso ‘Fonce’ Mizell had passed away. I will be paying tribute to him this Friday with both sides of an exceptional 45, so stay tuned.

Also,  I will share a bit of late breaking news with you, that being that this coming Monday, 7/18 I will be sitting in for DJ Perry Lane and flying solo at Spindletop @ Botanica (47 E. Houston St, NYC). I will be packing the finest soulful 45s at my disposal and would like it very much if some of you fine folks would fall by, grab yourselves a beer and join me. Things get rolling at 10PM and will likely continue until my eyelids start to droop. Hope to see you there.

When I was dipping into the old to-be-blogged archive and letting my head, heart and hands battle it out to figure what I’d be posting this fine day (I assure you it’s not always this complicated) I was faced with what might be termed an embarrassment of riches.

What I usually do – if I don’t already have something specific in mind – is open the folder with the label scans and roll through it, backwards in time and see what grabs me.

The first thing that rang my bell was a 45 by Billy Butler and the Chanters called ‘I Can’t Work No Longer’.

It was probably the soulfully hypnotic Okeh label that caught my eye, with its rich purple background, the prominent script logo, and of course the big ‘45’ on the lefthand side of the label, but I have a bunch of those (ran one just last week) and ultimately it was Mr Butler’s name that sealed the deal.

A man with a tasty catalog of his own, he is known to most outside of hardcore soulies as the brother of the famous Jerry, an original Impression and one of the leading lights of Chitown soul.

However, as mentioned, Billy made some incredible records with the Chanters (originally Enchanters) as a single, and with the group Infinity.

Now, as we return to the decision-making process, while ‘I Can’t Work No Longer’ would have been a sound choice, with composition by the mighty Mr. Mayfield, and its status as Billy Butler and the Chanters biggest hit (in 1965), however, there was a somewhat crackly spectre looming in the background (a few rows down in the folder) that simply would not be denied.

There are a few truly great Billy Butler 45s, but none looms as large as his 1966 solo side ‘Right Track’, which is justly revered as a mod and Northern Soul anthem.

Problem is, it is not only increasingly (45 years on) uncommon, but also in demand, and thus is harder to find and somewhat costly, which is in a very roundabout way my way of saying that I decided to post that particular song instead.

I sought a copy of ‘Right Track’ for my DJ box for a long time, lost out on it more than once and ultimately settled on a copy in less than pristine, but ultimately playable condition, since as most DJs will tell you a loud sound system and pulsing dance floor make for a more forgiving sonic environment in which the sometimes scratchy, crackly sins of a well-traveled 45 can be overcome by the power of a great record.

These sins are much more evident when played through headphones, so I warn you before you pull down the ones and zeros that you might be in for a rougher ride than you’re used to, though a cursory examination of the label pictured above would tell the same story.

I mean, take a look at that label. That is a record that has been places. Whether those places were a teen’s record player, jukebox, flea market cardboard box or all of the above, that label shows every second of its 45 years, and truth be told makes it look a lot worse than it sounds.

That said, ‘Right Track’ is revered for a number of reasons, first and foremost being that it is a stellar example of dance floor soul that builds gradually from the opening guitar riff, drums and tambourine, strings and then on to Billy’s vocal. Pushed along by a piano and rhythm guitar, the tempo picks up steam until the backing vocals come in during the chorus, at which time the record’s Northern Soul bona fides are immediately evident.

The stomping beat, coupled with the repeated chants of ‘I believe! I believe’’ then ‘I believe that I’m on the right track!’ is undoubtedly powerful, but the full weight of the signature line:

“I’m gonna keep on steppin’ never looking back I believe that I’m on the right track.”

Whether taken in the context of civil rights, viewed through the prism of working class mod or simply as a bold statement of perseverance in the wider context, in which you prefer your manifestos delivered at a danceable tempo, there is no denying that ‘Right Track’ is as anthemic a 60s soul record as was ever made.

It is powerful in every conceivable meaning of the word, and thus I must bring it to you, snaps, crackles, pops and all.

I will now bring the post to a close so that rug cutting (or at least fist pumping) may commence.

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (1)

By Larry, July 10, 2011 3:53 pm

James and Bobby Purify

Listen/Download – James and Bobby Purify – Let Love Come Between Us

Greetings all.

I hope everyone’s head is screwed on securely and that you’re all enjoying the summer so far.

As has been discussed here many a time, I have a serious Northern Soul jones and as a result the large and throbbing ‘to-be-blogged’ file in the Funky16Corners Blogcasting Nerve Center and Record Vault is verily swollen with it.

However, firm in the knowledge that it’s not everybody’s bag, and one must keep the stylistic lamp lit in all corners of the soul spectrum, it behooves me to let it out one small, delicious bit at a time so as not to tax the sensibilities of those who dig things on the funkier tip.

That said, today’s selection hails from a 45 that has lived in my crates since the earliest days of my soul collecting, when my mind was fixed on all things southern and I was grabbing up everything I could from the region.

James and Bobby Purify (aka James Purify and Robert Lee Dickey) hailed from the sunny state of Florida and recorded a grip of tasty soul during the 60s and 70s (when the role of Bobby was taken over by Ben Moore).

They got things rolling with a huge hit, the certified soul classic ‘I’m Your Puppet’ in 1966, following it with a string of Pop and R&B chart hits through 1968 (though the continued to record for Bell, Casablanca and Mercury through the mid-70s).

The tune I bring you today ‘Let Love Come Between Us’ was a Top 20 hit in the US in 1967, charting again in the UK in 1969.

It’s a stellar bit of semi-sweet, danceable soul with a beat that endeared it to the UK Soulies (not yet dubbed Northern). It had enough of a poppy edge to maintain their hit momentum in 1967 but remains solidly soulful in all other respects.

In an interesting footnote, ‘Let Love Come Between Us’ was originally recorded in 1966 by the Georgia-based Rubber Band and was written by two of it’s members, Joe Sobotka and John Wyker. The original version (which you can check out on YouTube) was sung by the group’s lead singer Johnny Townsend who would go on to sing lead on the Sanford-Townsend Band’s 1977 FM hit ‘Smoke From a Distant Fire’. John Wyker was later a member of the group Sailcat, and co-wrote their 1972 hit ‘Motorcycle Mama’.

Very groovy all around, and I hope you dig it.

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (2)

By Larry, July 5, 2011 12:49 pm

The Players LP

Listen/Download – The Players – Get Right

Greetings all.

It’s getting hot and humid her in NJ, which since it’s July shouldn’t come as a surprise, but there’s still nothing worse that stumbling out the front door, half awake and stepping from crisp, conditioned air into soupy humidity.

It’s positively gruesome, with my brain dialing down two notches and the rest of me following closely.

It’s times like this that you need something bracing to help you get back into the bag of your choosing, and what better than a tasty soul 45?

If memory serves I first heard the Players ‘Get Right’ when some groovy soul from the UK posted it on Facebook, and it instantly turned into one of those deals where I could think of little else. The song shot directly into the pleasure centers of my fevered brain (and my feet). I immediately waded into the interwebs in search of a copy but was initially stymied.

It took a few months of waiting before a copy of the 45 turned up, and then another week while I hung by my thumbs waiting to see if I was going to be outbid.

In the end, it was President Jackson and I that won the day (and the record) and in a few more weeks (as the 45 had to cross the mighty Atlantic) it was in the door and spinning on turntable number one.

The record in question is a storming, Northern-ready soul killer with some pulsing organ, a powerful horn section and of course the vocals of the Players. I especially dig the baritone sax solo.

Led by vocalist Herbert Butler who was ably assisted by several members of the Dells , the Chicago-based Players recorded three 45s (and an LP) for the Minit label, with ‘Get Right’ appearing on the final disc.

The group’s only success – as it was – was with their initial waxing, the ballad ‘He’ll Be Back’.

That a brilliant record like ‘Get Right’ didn’t hit the charts is probably a testament to a marketplace crowded with genius, no doubt aided by poor promotion.

The disc was written by the Artistics lead singer Robert Dobyne (with his writing partner Charles Jones) and produced by Cal Carter (staff producer at the Vee Jay label).

It is just over two and a quarter minutes of soulful dynamite and I dig it very much.

I hope you do too, and I’ll see you all on Friday.

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (3)

By Larry, June 19, 2011 3:57 pm

Jimmy Helms

Listen/Download – Jimmy Helms – Your Past Is Beginning To Show (My Love)

Greetings all.

The new week is here and summer is (at least in the Funky16Corners Blogcasting Nerve Center and Record Vault) officially underway.

Everyone in this crib is on vacation and the challenge is always to make the most of our leisure time without driving each other insane in the process.

It promises to be an eventful summer, so I’m confident that it will be memorable (in the good way) as well.

I’m still planning the Ray Bryant tribute for later this week (waiting on a crucial piece of vinyl), but there are lots of groovy things to write about (and listen to) until we get there, so let’s get started.

The tune I bring you today was something I picked up after seeing it on a friend’s sale list.

I’d never heard of Jimmy Helms before, but since the song was cool, and the price was right I picked it up, since there’s nothing cooler than more soul music.

As it turns out, Mr Helms is a member of that relatively small but always interesting soul music sub-strata, that being the American ex-pats.

Like Geno Washington, Mr Helms was an American who eventually settled in the UK, where he would find success as a performer.
He recorded his own records, and worked steadily as a studio singer through the 60s, 70s and 80s, before scaling the charts in the UK and Europe as the lead singer of the group Londonbeat, best known for their 1990 hit ‘I’ve been Thinking About You’.

The tune I bring you today is a stomping bit of soul from 1969 called ‘Your Past Is Beginning To Show (My Love)’.

It sounds every bit a solid piece of southern soul. Helms’ vocal cooks, and the arrangement, featuring pounding piano, tight horns and some cool fuzz guitar (even a little bit of electric sitar!) is perfect for the dance floor.

It would appear that ‘Your Past…’ was recorded before Helms’ migration overseas. The Oracle label was based out of the Boston area and was distributed by GRT, and later Capitol Records. The other acts I’ve seen listed for the label appear to have been pop and rock bands, including one with the improbable, Uncle Remus-inspired name of Brother Fox and the Tar Baby. I have seen references that mention Helms performing in and around Boston in the late 60s (this appears to have been issued in 1969) and he seems to pop up in the UK around 1972.

It’s a cool record, and I hope you dig it.

See you on Wednesday.

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recr events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (4)

By Larry, June 5, 2011 4:59 pm

Apologies to the soulies, heh heh…

Greetings all, and welcome to the 2011, Funky16Corners Soul Club/Grogan Casino Allnighter..

This is – as it has been since 2006 – time for yours truly to once again open up the yearly Funky16Corners Pledge Drive, in which we ask that if you dig what goes on hereabouts, with the blog(s), radio show, mixes etc, that you click on the donation link and drop a little something in the basket.

Click Here To Donate

Your donations help to pay for the server space where the blog, all of the graphics and well over 100 mixes (a number that is expanding all the time) reside, as well as upkeep on the equipment used to run the whole non-profit (is there a better phrase to describe an operation that runs at a perpetual loss?) shebang.

As always, I’m aware that times are tough, and getting tougher all the time, so if you can’t swing it, that’s cool too. However, every little bit helps, so even a couple of bucks will help things along.

The readers of Funky16Corners have always been very cool over the seven year history of the blog (as well as the years preceding that at the web zine), generous with their knowledge and vocal in their appreciation and once again I’d like to thank you all.

Funky16Corners has always been an ad-free space (and that includes needless plugs for crap that none of you (or me) is going to listen to) and will always remain that way.

Now, I can’t very well come to you with hand outstretched unless I have something to offer you for your trouble. With that in mind, I bring you the second annual Allnighter, in which I gather together some of my favorite DJs and ask them to contribute mixes.

This year we have a stellar line-up, including my man Tarik Thornton (Hot Pants Crew MPLS), Tony C, DJ Prime Mundo (Asbury Park 45 Sessions), DJ Bluewater (Master Groove, Asbury Park 45 Sessions), and my mighty brother in blogging Vincent the Soul Chef (Fufu Stew), as well as two new mixes by yours truly.

Each of these cats is very, very serious about digging and spinning vinyl heat and when you get the chance to sink your ears into the mixes they’ve contributed you will (as I was when I first heard them) be very happy.

There’s a very nice stylistic breadth to this year’s Allnighter, with deep soul, Northern Soul, rock steady, funk and disco with a connoisseur’s mix of rarities and classics.

This year I’m also posting something cool over at Iron Leg, with a few hours of garage and freakbeat recorded live a few weeks back (by me, natch)  at Spindletop @ Botanica in NYC, so if those are sounds you dig too, make sure to pull down those ones and zeros as well.

That said, click the Paypal link, and then scroll down the page slowly, soaking up all the mixes as you go.

Click Here To Donate

Peace

Larry

___________________________________________________________________

Funky16Corners 2011 Allnighter!

Funky16Corners – I’m Satisfied
San Remo Golden Strings – I’m Satisfied (Ric Tic)
Jr Walker and the All Stars – Come see About Me (Soul)
Parliaments – Look at What I Almost Missed (Revilot)
O’Jays – I Dig Your Act (Bell)
Lee Williams and the Cymbals – Everything About You That I Love (Carnival)
Al Kent – You Got To Pay The Price (Ric Tic)
Major Lance – Gotta Get Away (Okeh)
Shorty Long – Sing What You Wanna (Soul)
Bunny Sigler – Sunny Sunday (Cameo/Parkway)
Jackie Lee – Bring It Home (Keyman)
Gene Chandler and Barbara Acklin – From the Teacher to the Preacher (Brunswick)
Chuck Jackson – Good Things Come to Those Who Wait (Wand)
Precisions – Why Girl (Drew)
John Willams and the Tick Tocks – Do Me Like You Do Me (Sansu)
Eddie Floyd – Big Bird (Stax)
Vibrations – Pick Me (Okeh)
Buena Vistas – Hot Shot (Swan)
Performers – I Can’t Stop You (Mirwood)
Dreams – They Call me Jesse James (DC Sound)
Len Barry – I Struck It Rich (Decca)
Ambassadors – I’m So Proud Of My Baby (Atlantic)

Listen/Download – Funky16Corners – I’m Satisfied / 96MB Mixed MP3

NOTE: I’ve been digging a lot of mid-tempo Northern Soul lately, and this is a mix of my faves. – LG

__________________________________________________________________

DJ Bluewater – That Steady Beat

Ken Parker – Change Is Gonna Come
Delroy Wilson – I’m The One Who Loves You
Rocky & The Heptones – Falling In Love
Carlton & His Shoes – Happy Land
Alton Ellis & The Flames – Cry Tough
Lloyd & Glen – Jezebel –
Phyllis Dillon – Don’t Stay Away
Cecille Campbell – Breaking Up
The Soul Vendors – Frozen Soul
The Soul Vendors – To Sir With Love
Prince Buster & The All Stars – The Punishment
The Maytals – Watermelon Man
Derrick Morgan – First Taste Of Love
The Untouchables – Tighten Up
The Jailbreakers – Chatty Chatty
Delano Stewart – That’s Life
Norma Fraser – The First Cut Is The Deepest
King Rocky – The King Is Back
The Ethiopians – He’s Not A Rebel
The Uniques – Watch This Sound

Listen/Download – DJ Bluewater – That Steady Beat / 120MB Mixed MP3

NOTE: DJ Bluewater has gotten deep into the rock steady sound in the last few years

and this mix is filled with goodness! – LG

___________________________________________________________________

DJ Tarik Thornton – Louisiana Sun

Willie Tee – Dedication To You ( Atlantic)
The Festivals – You Got The Makings of A Lover (Smash)
The Impressions – Man Oh Man ( ABC- Paramount)
Dennis Lee & Notables – Sunday Afternoon ( Jenmark)
Bernard Drake – I’ve Been Untrue ( La Louisianne)
Ollie & The Nightingales- I Got A Sure Thing (Stax)
Jo Armstead – There’s Not Too many More (Giant)
The Passions – I Can See My Way Through (Tower)
The Moovers – One Little Dance (Brent)
The ElectroStats – Setting the Mood ( Three Oaks)
The Supreme – Stoned Love (Tamla)

Clifton White – Are You Ready (Anla)
Dell Mack – You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover ( Gold Band)
Eddie Giles – Soul Feeling Pt. 1- ( Murco )
Debanaires – Feel Alright – (WBS)
O.D Williams – Moving Out Of Your Life – (Bare- Bar)
New Birth – I Can Understand it (RCA)
Johnny Williams – Breaking Point – (Twinight)
Johnny Otis Show – Watts Breakaway (Epic)
Gus (The Groove) Lewis – Let The Groove Move You – (Tou- Sea)
Lee Dorsey – Funky Four Corners (Amy)
Big Daddy Rucker – Just Do Your Thing – (GME)
Reggie Sadler – Raggedy Bag – (Aquarius)
Bonus Track : Jackie Harris & The Exciters – Get Funky, Sweat A Little Bit (Black&Proud)

Listen/Download – DJ Tarik Thornton – Louisiana Sun / 85MB Mixed MP3

A Note from Tarik:

So when Larry asked me to do this mix indeed I was honored! Larry and the Soul Chef are the guys who are responsible for inspiring me to get back to digging after taking a 10 year hiatus. I’ve been on a life rollercoaster over the last few years and this has become one of my most profound ways of expressing myself. Honestly, It took me a while to figure out a concept for this one. Always trying to be diverse I created a nice blend of Sweet Soul and Funk this time around. Both are actually sets I did live at KFAI in Minneapolis last week. After listening to them I decided to take the time to tighten them up, then added a bit more soul . The outcome, a sweet selection of songs dedicated to all the people that have taken the time to check out my work over the last year, but also in particular a very special young lady. The “B “side a tight groove of some killer funk selections that will keep you moving. Enjoy ! You can find some of my other mixes at www.mixcloud.com/8KC

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DJ Prime Mundo – Kentucky Fried Prime

curtis mayfield – tripping out (rso)
one g plus three – summertime (paramount)
billy guy – if you want to get ahead, shake a leg (verve)
the soul patrol – saigon strut (shamley)
don downing – thread and needle (roadshow)
gary toms empire – drive my car (pickwick)
bo kirkland & ruth davis – we got the recipe (claridge)
stan ivory – check it out (tese)
le roy – easy livin’ (dream machine)
chick willis – stoop down baby (la val)
billy strange – jaws (gnp crescendo)
the masqueraders – brotherhood (bell)
hummingbird – trouble maker (a&m)
ernie andrews – something (phil l.a. of soul)

Listen/Download – DJ Prime Mundo – Kentucky Fried Prime / 61MB Mixed MP3

Note: One of the OG Asbury Park 45 Sessions DJs, Prime Mundo has extremely deep crates and extremely good taste. He’s one of my favorite DJs, and this mix should tell you why. – LG

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Vincent the Soul Chef – Back to the Corner

I Just Want To Celebrate-Rare Earth (Rare Earth)
Ride Sally Ride-Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band (Sussex)
Runaway People-Dyke & The Blazers (Original Sound)
You Met Your Match-Stevie Wonder (Tamla)
Your Love Is Indescribably Delicious-Willis Wooten (Virtue)
Mister Magic-Grover Washington Jr. (Kudu)
Heaven Is There To Guide Us-The Glass House (Invictus)
I Got You Babe-Etta James (Chess)
Vista Vista-Lee Dorsey (Amy)
Funky Boo Ga Loo-Jerry O (Shout)
Do Your Thing-Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band (Warner)
Good Times-Kool & The Gang (De Lite)
Take Me To the River-Fessor Funk (Roxbury)
Let Me Lay My Funk On You-Poison (Roulette)
Keep on Dancin’ (Vocal)-Alvin Cash (Toddlin’ Town)
The Whatchamacalit-The Burning Emotions (Bang)
Country John-Allen Toussaint (Reprise)
Paint Me-Ohio Players (Westbound)
I Turned You On-Isley Brothers (T Neck)
Soul Sister- Allen Toussaint (Reprise)
Baby I Love You-Aretha Franklin (Atlantic)
Nobody’s Fault But Mine-Otis Redding (Atco)
Cook Out-King Curtis & The Kingpins (Atco)
The Court Room-Clarence Carter (Atlantic)
Funky Drummer Pt. 2-James Brown (King)
Make It Funky Pt. 4-James Brown (Polydor)
Hey Ruby Shut Your Mouth-Ruby & The Party Gang (Law Ton)

Listen/Download – Vincent the Soul Chef – Back to the Corner / 104MB Mixed MP3

NOTE: Vincent the Soul Chef is not only a top-notch DJ, but he’s a serious digger with diverse tastes that are reflected in his mixes. After I heard this I headed out to look for a few of the cuts right away… – LG

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Tony C – Dance the Jerk!

Doc Bagby-Mr Hippy-Tifton
Merced Blue Notes-Rufus-Accent
Horace Bailey-Cool Monkey-Delene
Larry Williams-Strange-Sue
Barry’Barefoot’ Beefus-Barefoot Beefus-Loma
Tommy & The Charms-I know what you want-Hollywood
Nathaniel Kelly-Do the jerk-Jubilee
Jay Dee Bryant-Get it-Enjoy
The Pacers-You’ll never know-Razorback
The Magics-Lets Boogaloo-R.F.A
Lou Johnson-Rock me baby-Cotillion
Eddie Simpson-Stone Soul Sister-Back Beat
Vickie Anderson-I love you-Smash
Alder Ray Mathis-Take me baby-Jetstar
Jackie Thompson-Got to right the wrongs-Columbia
Lonette-Stop-M.S
Boogie Kings-Do em’ all-Pic
Charles Hodges-Charles Shingaling-Alto
Little Flint-Pain-Beast
Sammy Lee-It hurts me-Rampart
Jay Jordan-If it wasn’t for love-Verve
The Fantastic Four-Pinpoint it down-Soul
Lovemasters-Pushin and pull-Jacklyn
Timmie Williams-Competition-Bell
Big Maybelle-I can’t wait any longer-Rojac
Trudy Johnson-You’re no good-Capitol

Listen/Download – Tony C – Dance the Jerk! / 62MB Mixed MP3

NOTE: Tony C has done guest mixes for Funky16Corners in the past, and he is always turning me on to new stuff. Great taste and deep crates, once again a dynamic combination.  – LG

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Funky16Corners – Honey Trippin’
BT Express – Express (Scepter)
Louie Ramirez – Do It Any Way You Wanna (Cotique)
Cymande – Anthracite (Janus)
Virtue Orchestra – High Horse IV (Virtue)
Mystic Moods – Honey Trippin’ (Soundbird)
KC and the Sunshine Band – Let It Go (TK)
Instant Funk – Philly Jump (TSOP)
Jay Berliner – Getting the Message (Mainstream)
Love Child’s Afro Cuban Blues Band – Love and Death in G and A (Roulette)
Gene Faith – Lowdown Melody (Virtue)
Doc Severinson – Soul Makossa (RCA)
Soul Searchers – Boogie Up the Nation Pt2 (Polydor)
Philly Sound – Waitin’ For the Rain (Phil LA of Soul)
Mongo Santamaria – What You Don’t Know (Vaya)
Philadelphia Society – 100 South of Broad Street (American)
Larry Page Orchestra – Erotic Soul (London)
Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Virgo Red (Polydor)
Barrett Strong – Stand Up and Cheer For the Preacher (INST) (Epic)

Listen/Download – Funky16Corners – Honey Trippin’ / 110MB Mixed MP3

NOTE: This is one of those mixes that had its start in a single cut, and took form slowly as I stockpiled complementary cuts. I like it a lot, and I hope you dig it too. – LG

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Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recr events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (3)

By Larry, May 24, 2011 1:33 pm

The Four Tops

Listen/Download – The Four Tops – Something About You

Greetings all.

If the world blew up on Tuesday, it wouldn’t be reflected in this piece, since it’s being written (and assembled) on Monday morning on account of the fact that I’m DJ-ing on Monday night and I have a calendar full of responsibilities on Tuesday to attend to (starting at 7:00AM), so I won’t be in the mood, or any kind of condition to do this on Tuesday proper.

Did that make any sense?

Maybe not, since if the world blew up on Tuesday, no one – aside from the great spirit of the interwebs – would be reading in, so if all (or most) of us are here, just disregard that opening paragraph and continue moving forward (in this piece, as well as life in general…good rule of thumb, that.).

The tune I bring you today is one of my all-time favorite bits of Motown-iana by one of that storied label’s greatest groups the Four Tops.

I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I have been remiss in covering the greatness of the Four Tops here at Funky16Corners.

I last posted one of their records (‘Shake Me Wake Me’) back in 2008 to commemorate the passing of the mighty Levi Stubbs, and even then I was re-posting the song from its initial appearance in 2006 (time does fly, doesn’t it??).

That said, at the time Mr Stubbs slipped this mortal coil, I made it a point to say that I considered him the greatest male singer in the Motown stable (including Marvin Gaye and Eddie Kendricks), and surmised that if he had been given the chance, he could have had a serious solo career.

Whether that chapter in history remained unwritten because of his loyalty to the group, or via the label politics that seemed so prevalent at Motown, I do not know.

There is however no denying the greatness of the Four Tops.

Though I don’t know how their chart success lines up against other Motown groups, or other musical outfits in general, I do know that a cursory glance at their undeniably amazing string of hits in 1965 and 1966 verily boggles the mind.

(Discography listing borrowed from Soulful Kinda Music)

Motown 1073 – Ask The Lonely / Where Did You Go – 1965
Motown 1076 – I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) / Sad Souvenirs – 1965
Motown 1081 – It’s The Same Old Song / Your Love Is Amazing – 1965
Motown 1084 – Something About You / Darling, I Hum Our Song – 1965
Motown 1090 – Shake Me, Wake Me (When It’s Over) / Just As Long As You Need Me – 1966
Motown 1096 – Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever / I Like Everything About You – 1966
Motown 1098 – Reach Out I’ll Be There / Until You Love Someone – 1966
Motown 1102 – Standing In The Shadows Of Love / Since You’ve Been Gone – 1966

Right there in the middle of the pack, is today’s selection ‘Something About You’.

Strange as this may seem, I first knew this song by a vaguely new wavey cover by Dave Edmunds from 1984. Though his version didn’t chart here in the US, the video was a staple of the early years of MTV.

It was only a few years later, after picking up an old Greatest Hits LP that I realized that the song was a Four Tops original.

The song is yet another testament to the greatness of the pens of Holland, Dozier and Holland, and the record is a work of storming, dance floor genius.

Though ‘Something About You’ was a Top 40 hit in 1965, it was never (at least not in the New York area) a staple of Oldies radio, a format which pretty much killed Motown for me for a long time. The endless repetition of a select few Motown hits all but ruined them for me, and stopped me from digging deeper into the label’s catalog until I was much further into the game.

That situation has since been remedied, but even now I still have to force myself to get Motown stuff digimatized for inclusion on the blog, so strong is the temptation to take it for granted.

The production on ‘Something About You’ is dense and explosive, with layers of guitars, vibes, drums (listen close for what’s either a kick drum or tom tom going fast and furious behind the chorus) and saxes, all piled on a propulsive tempo, which despite all of this power, never obscures the Tops voices.

Though ‘Shake Me Wake Me’ will always be my fave Tops tune, ‘Something About You’ runs a very close second.

I hope you dig it, and I’ll be back on Friday (hopefully recovered and blogging in something close to real time).

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recr events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (5)

By Larry, April 26, 2011 11:22 am

Lurking in the shadows with a loaded turntable…

OV Wright – Love the Way You Love (Backbeat)
Billy Butler – Right Track (Okeh)
Lynne Randell – It’s a Hoe Down (Epic)
Thelma Jones – Stronger (Barry)
The Platters – Sweet Sweet Lovin’ (Musicor)
Christine Cooper – SOS (Heart In Distress) (Parkway)
Irma Thomas – What Are You Trying To Do (Imperial)
Henry Lumpkin – Soul Is Taking Over (Buddah)
Barbara Banks – River of Tears (Veep)
Luther Ingram – If It’s All the Same To You (Hib)
Chuck Wood – Seven Days Is Too Long (Roulette)
Maurice and the Radiants – Baby You’ve Got It (Chess)
Parliaments – Don’t Be Sore At Me (Revilot)
O’Jays – I Dig Your Act (Bell)

(Full set list at the bottom of the post)

Listen/Download – F16C Soul Club Presents – Soulshake! Funky16Corners Live at the Subway Soul Club 61MB/256K Mixed MP3

Yours truly, Luther Ingram (spinning) and Chuck Wood (cued up)

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus

Girlsoul selects another winner!

The mighty M-Fasis on the dance floor.

The crowd

Everyone’s records, ready to go.

Greetings all.

I have – like the prodigal son – returned from my wanderings tired, but satisfied.

The past week saw a mini-burst of DJ activity, with the Subway Soul Club (which we’ll be rapping about this fine day) last Saturday (4/16), then driving up to Massachusetts for Sweet Exorcist on Friday 4/22 in Greenfield, and Wooly Bully on Saturday 4/23 in Northampton (which we will cover next week).

I even managed to get in some unexpected 45 digging in New York, which turned up a couple of nice funk 45s, a few disco things and a couple of doubles for the old trade box.

Wrapped around all of this tomfoolery was a family vacation, with the swimming, the sightseeing, the fine dining (pho and New Haven pizza on the same trip!!) and a lot of close quarters, but much fun (if little actual relaxation) was had, and now here we all are, back in the daily groove.

As I mentioned, I spent the evening of Saturday 4/16 alongside Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus, Girlsoul and PJ Lozito (Connie T Empress had to cancel) whipping the best in soul on the crowd at the storied Subway Soul Club, at Public Assembly in Williamsburg, BK.

Despite the fact that the area was in the midst of a near-monsoon, which made motoring to Brooklyn a real hoot, there was a nice turnout, and by midnight the floor was full of good people soaking up the sounds of soul and cutting themselves what the old folks used to refer to as a slice of rug.

I have probably said this numerous times, but it bears mentioning once again, I love nothing more than to spin soul and funk for people that like to dance. There is something magical about pulling an especially cool record out of your box, slipping it onto the turntable and watching the crowd react when the sounds make their way out of the speakers.

Subway Soul Club is really a dancers scene, with people grooving steadily for several hours (I honestly have no idea where some people get the energy), especially to Northern Soul. This was a very appreciative/receptive crowd who dug what we all were spinning, and the experience was, as you can imagine, exceptionally rewarding.

The mix you see above is the second set I spun that night, and features a number of favorites, all floor-fillers, including a bunch of things that have had a home in my crates for many years, as well as a few recent acquisitions.

I also managed to snap a couple of pictures, and while I’m no Scavullo, I think the results manage to capture the vibe fairly well.

Big thanks go out to Phreddie and our host Lady Dawn, the other DJs (who were uniformly excellent) and especially the dancers, without whom it wouldn’t have been nearly as groovy.

I hope you dig the sounds, and I’ll be back on Friday with some funk for your weekend.

If things go as planned, I’ll have some live mixes (and pics) from Massachusetts for you next week.

See you on Friday

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recr events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Funky16Corners Subway Soul 4/16 Set List

Set 1
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes – Get Out (Landa)
Bettye Lavette – Feel Good All Over (Calla)
Dean Courtney – We Have a Good Thing (RCA)
John Williams and the Tick Tocks – Do Me Like You Do Me (Sansu)
Peggy Scott and Jo Jo Benson – Soul Shake (SSS Intl)
Felice Taylor – Under the Influence of Love (Mustang)
Frankie Valli – You’re Gonna (Hurt Yourself) (Smash)
Four Larks – Grooving at the Go Go (Tower)
Broadways – You Just Don’t Know (MGM)
Volcanos – (It’s Against) The Laws of Love (Inst) (Arctic)
Bob Brady and the Conchords – Everybody’s Going to the Love In (Chariot)
Jean Wells – With My Love and What You Got (Calla)
Danny White – Natural Soul Brother (SSS Intl)
The Contours – Just a Little Misunderstanding (Gordy) (Fade out)

Set 2

OV Wright – Love the Way You Love (Backbeat)
Billy Butler – Right Track (Okeh)
Lynne Randell – It’s a Hoe Down (Epic)
Thelma Jones – Stronger (Barry)
The Platters – Sweet Sweet Lovin’ (Musicor)
Christine Cooper – SOS (Heart In Distress) (Parkway)
Irma Thomas – What Are You Trying To Do (Imperial)
Henry Lumpkin – Soul Is Taking Over (Buddah)
Barbara Banks – River of Tears (Veep)
Luther Ingram – If It’s All the Same To You (Hib)
Chuck Wood – Seven Days Is Too Long (Roulette)
Maurice and the Radiants – Baby You’ve Got It (Chess)
Parliaments – Don’t Be Sore At Me (Revilot)
O’Jays – I Dig Your Act (Bell) (fade out)

Set 3

Mickey Lee Lane – Hey Sah Lo Ney (Swan) (partial)
R Dean Taylor – There’s a Ghost In My House (VIP)
Scatman Crothers – Golly! Zonk! It’s Scatman (HBR)
Eyes of Blue – Heart Trouble (Deram)
Rodge Martin – Lovin’ Machine (Bragg)
Cooperettes – Shing-a-ling (Brunswick)
Darrell Banks – Our Love Is In the Pocket (Revilot)
Spellbinders – Help Me (Get Myself Back Together Again) (Columbia)
Olympics – Mine Exclusively (Mirwood)
Chubby Checker – (At the) Discotheque (Parkway)
Peaches and Herb – I Need Your Love So Desperately (Date)
Rex Garvin and the Mighty Cravers – I Gotta Go Now (Out On the Floor) (Like)
Dean Parrish – I’m On My Way (Laurie) (fade out)

End of Night Wrap Up

Timmy Willis – Mr Soul Satisfaction (Sidra)
Clydie King – Bout Love (Lizard)
Producers – Love Is Amazing (Huff Puff)
Pat Lewis – Look at What I Almost Missed (Solid Hit)
Poets – She Blew a Good Thing (Symbol)
Chuck Jackson – Good Things Come To Those Who Wait (Wand)
Intruders – All the Time (Excel)

Comments (2)

By Larry, April 14, 2011 10:30 am

The Spellbinders

Listen/Download – Spellbinders – Help Me (Get Myself Back Together Again)

Greetings all.

The end of what turned out to be a spectacularly busy week (the kind where I had to start writing things down so as not to forget to do them) has finally arrived. While I’m bushed, I’m also all revved up because this Saturday night I’ll be spinning at the Subway Soul Club.

This is going to be an especially groovy night for a few different reasons.

First and foremost, I hear that the crowd at Subway Soul likes to get out on the floor and dance, and I dig nothing more than spinning soul 45s for dancers.

Second, I’ll be spinning alongside two legendary NY area selectors, those being my old Asbury Park 45 Sessions cohort the mighty Connie T Empress, and Subway Soul resident, Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus.

If the names above don’t signify the presence of the hottest soul records available, then you have not been paying attention.
A very solid time is guaranteed for all.

Assuming that I make it home from Brooklyn on Sunday morning, the fam and I will be heading out for some vacation-style action, which will be capped off at the end of the week by two more gigs in western Massachusetts.

Since I’ll be away for the week I’ll be posting a live set from last week’s Spindletop on Monday, along with all the details of next week’s gigs, so stay tuned.

I should also mention that this Friday at 9PM the Funky16Corners Radio Show returns to the crackling airwaves of the intertubes for another session of the best in funk, soul, jazz and rare groove, all on vinyl. Make sure you stop by Viva Radio, or fall by the blog on Saturday to pick up the MP3 version of the show.

The tune I bring you today is most definitely going to be making the trip up to Brooklyn with me on Saturday.

My acquisition of the Spellbinders ‘Help Me (Get Myself Back Together Again)’ is yet another one of those twisted tales that winds its way back to the big mountain of 45s that came into my life lo these many years ago.

I’ve gone on about it many times, so I’ll keep it short. My father-in-law, while out scouting for antiques happened upon a huge stash of 45s, called and asked if I wanted them (naturally I said yes) and then brought them down to our house.

When they got here I was stunned by the sheer quantity (several thousand), and my wife and I spent the better part of a summer going through them, pulling out the stuff I knew was good, culling the stuff I knew was bad, and trying to figure out the difference on everything else.

Thanks to the huge amount of records, this proved to be an inexact science, and in addition to several boxes of the good stuff, I ended up with a couple of hundred things that at least looked interesting (or too interesting to throw out) and I’ve been picking at those ever since.

Every once in a while, when I have a little time on my hands I head back into those boxes, and recently such a trip resulted in one of the great ‘how the hell did I miss this?’ moments.

I must have given the Spellbinders 45 a spin at some point (since I had it filed as ‘soul’) but I suspect that I only listened to the other side (‘Danny Boy’), since it did not make a significant impression on me, which, had I listened to today’s selection, would not have been the case (am I making any sense here?).

That said, when I did drop the needle on ‘Help Me (Get Myself back Together Again)’ I was immediately drawn in by the wonderful intro, with the bass, vibes and percussion, followed immediately by the drums bringing in the pounding four on the floor beat. The rest of the record is pure Northern Soul genius, combining a great song, stellar arrangement and production (by Van McCoy) and fantastic vocals by the group.

What little I’ve been able to find out about the Spellbinders is that they were only together for a few years, recording a handful of 45s and an LP for Columbia (and one 45 for Date), with ‘Help Me…’ being issued as a non-LP 45 in 1966.

The group also had New Jersey roots, which is always a cool thing (for me) to find out.

I’m just thankful now that this 45 didn’t languish for another few years, or get sucked back into the vinyl maelstrom forever.

If you come out to Subway Soul, stop by the booth and say hi.

Have a great weekend.

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo), in regard to the April 2nd walk. The whole Funky16Corners gang will be walking in support of autism services, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (0)

By Larry, March 31, 2011 10:45 am

Oh, yes…

Listen/Download – F16C Soul Club Presents – Spindletop A-Go-Go 71MB/256K Mixed MP3

Brothers Two – Boogaloo Soul Party (Crimson)
Roy Lee Johnson – Boogaloo #3 (Josie)
Barbara Lynn – Club A Go Go (Tribe)
Norman T Washington – Jumping Jack Flash (Pama)
Eyes of Blue – Heart Trouble (Deram)
Lil Bob and the Lollipops – I Got Loaded (La Louisianne)
Wayne Cochran – Goin’ back to Miami (Mercury)
Chet Poison Ivey and His Fabulous Avengers – Shake a Poo Poo (TRC)
Willie Tell and the Overtures – Soul Ranger (Chess)
Interpretations – Snap Out (Bell)
Syl Johnson – Different Strokes (Twilight)
Mad Men – African Twist Pt1 (Gamble)
Sir Lattimore Brown – Shake and Vibrate (SS7)
Georgie Woods – Potato Salad Pt1 (Fat Back)
Jerry Lee Lewis – Shotgun Man (Smash)
Jeanne & the Darlings – Soul Girl (Volt)

Greetings all.

The end of the week is here, and as is almost always the case, so is the end of my patience/energy.

This has been a very busy week, blog-o-rifically and lifewise, and sometimes it seems that the challenges just keep on coming, like lining up outside my door like I’m handing out hundred dollar bills and grilled cheese sandwiches, and then going around the back so they can get in line again to kick me in the ass.

Not everything is bad, since it looks like April is going to be a very busy month DJ-wise, but as always, it’s just a matter of getting all of my psychotic ducks in a row.

When I get all the gig details ironed out, I will make announcements in this space.

That said, it’s time again to remind you all that if you are not otherwise occupied Friday night at 9PM, you should roll on up to the intertubes and grab you some Funky16Corners Radio Show on Viva Radio. I always endeavor to bring you the best in funk, soul, jazz and rare groove, all culled from vinyl, all engineered for your listening pleasure. If you can’t be there at broadcast time, you can always pick up the shows in MP3 form over the weekend here at the blog.

As promised, I’m posting the second live set from last week’s Spindletop @ Botanica. This time you get more of the partying grooves, including one of my faves by an artist who was taken from us unexpectedly last week, the mighty Sir Lattimore Brown.

There’s all kinds of groovy stuff in the mix, all good’n’greasy enough to get the laziest SOB up off their butt and out onto the floor.

Speaking of getting out on the floor, I’ve been hard (and I do mean hard) at work this week cooking up a very tasty mix that will most definitely loosen up your wig and heat up your shorts. I will be dropping it on Monday, so make sure you have lots of ice, potato chips and several varieties of potent spirits, ‘cuz you’re going to need them.

That said, enjoy the sounds, have yourself a groovy weekend and I’ll be back on Monday with more of the stuff you love.

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo), in regard to the April 2nd walk. The whole Funky16Corners gang will be walking in support of autism services, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (2)

By Larry, March 20, 2011 1:45 pm

The Velvelettes

Listen/Download -The Velvelettes – A Bird In the Hand (Is Worth Two In the Bush)

Greetings all,, and welcome to the working week.

Before I get started I want to remind you that I’ll be spinning 45s at Spindletop @ Botanic in NYC Monday night (3/21) starting at 10PM. If you’re within driving distance, try to fall by and say hello. It’s a very groovy scene that Perry Lane has going there, and you could spend your Monday night doing a lot less interesting things than getting down to rare soul with a delicious cocktail in your hand.

The tune I bring you today is one of my favorite 45s by my all-time favorite Motown group, the mighty Velvelettes.

Interestingly, though this is the very first thing I ever heard by the group (on a late 80s Motown Rarities comp) it’s the last 45 of theirs I found, picking it up on the cheap at one of the Asbury Lanes record shows.

Formed in the early 60s as the Barbees, then changing their name and releasing their first VIP 45 ‘Needle In a Haystack’ in 1964, the Velvelettes – working almost exclusively with the legendary Norman Whitfield – recorded only five 45s during their existence. That these are uniformly excellent, representing the best that the Motown girl groups had to offer explains why I dig them so much.

Though most civilians have probably heard a Velvelettes song or two (possibly via the wan Bananarama cover of ‘He Was Really Sayin’ Something’), their 45s are coveted by soul fans, who recognize a great record when they hear one.

Their material was written by a Who’s Who of Motown greats, including Whitfield, Eddie Holland, Mickey Stevenson, Sylvia Moy, Johnny Bristol and Harvey Fuqua, and though the group only managed minor hits, as I said, the few records they made are unbeatable.

The tune I bring you today, 1965s ‘A Bird In the Hand (Is Worth Two In the Bush)’ is a storming dancer with a typically fantastic vocal by Cal Gill. It’s worth checking out for the bass line alone, which pretty much drives the record. I really dig the way the intro builds its power as well.

It’s always worth mentioning how good a singer Gill was, especially since when you ask most people, the female singer on Motown they remember is Diana Ross, probably the weakest vocalist in their stable, behind powerhouses like Martha Reeves, Brenda Holloway, the alternating leads of the Marvelettes, and ultimately the mighty Gladys Knight.

I hope you dig the tune, and I’ll see you on Wednesday.

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo), in regard to the April 2nd walk. The whole Funky16Corners gang will be walking in support of autism services, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

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