Clockwise from top left: Thom Bell, Bobby Martin, Sam, Erv & Tom

Listen/Download – Fabulous Emotions – Number One Fool MP3

Listen/Download – Fabulous Emotions – Funky Chicken MP3

Greetings all.

The end of the week is upon us, so I will remind you all to dig into the Funky16Corners Radio Show podcast, which drops each and every Friday with the best in soul, funk, jazz and rare groove, all on original vinyl. You can subscribe to the show in iTunes, listen on TuneIn, Mixcloud or grab an MP3 right here at the blog.

The tunes we end the week with compose both sides of one of my favorite Philadelphia 45s, and part of an interesting story as well.

I first picked up the local, Nico release of the Fabulous Emotions ‘Number One Fool’ b/w ‘Funky Chicken’ more than ten years ago from my buddy Haim.

The a-side is a hard charging number with a following on Northern Soul dance floors. Produced by Philly mainstays Bobby Martin and Thom Bell (with writing credited to an otherwise unknown ‘F. Hill’, but more on that in a minute), ‘Number One Fool’, is a really well produced, prefect representation of the late 60s Philly sound.

The flip, ‘Funky Chicken’ is merely an instrumental dub of ‘Number One Fool’, but this time is credited to Martin and Bell! It was actually a minor local hit, charting on two different Philly stations, WDAS and WHAT (home of the Mighty Burner Sonny Hopson, Make no mistake-a Jake-a!).

The story takes an interesting turn when the track was released again on the Tamboo label, then recycled/reissued yet again (also on Tamboo) this time credited to the NY Jets!?!

Check out this old Funky16Corners web zine article where I go into detail on the multiple releases, but I will say that the 45 picked up a new track in its last version, this time with writing and singing by Sam, Erv and Tom of ‘Soul Teacher’ fame!

All versions of this record are excellent, as well as fairly hard to put your hands on these days. It is highly recommended that you grab one for your playbox should you encounter one in the field.

I hope you dig the tunes, and I’ll see you all on Monday.

Keep the faith

Larry

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Also, the brand new Funky16Corners ‘Keep Calm and Stay Funky’ stickers have arrived! The stickers are 4″ x 3″ and printed on high quality, glossy stock. They are $2.00 each, with free shipping in the US ($2.00 per order shipping outside of the US). Click here to go to the ordering page.

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.