The Brockingtons - 1971 - The Brockingtons
Posted by nikos1109
Awesome funk/soul album. Simple as that.
Extremely rare early 70s album from Julius Brockington’s side group, featuring arrangements by a young Patrick Adams (later of P&P etc). Includes the often comp’d “I’ve Just Got To Know” and eight other tracks which range from smoothers to dancefloor groovers.
This is a @320 vinyl rip of the original Today Records Lp including covers.
Tracks
A1. Never Forget Where Your Came From - 2:30
A2. Love World - 2:30
A3. Smackwater Jack - 2:35
A4. Jeremiah - 4:00
A5. Please Come Back - 3:50
B1. Eye Doctor - 4:10
B2. Natural Woman - 3:10
B3. I Just Got To Know - 2:30
B4. Pretty Thing - 3:30
Review by Trakbuv
“Julius Brockington was born in Pumphrey, a suburb of Anne Arundel County. Proficiency at saxophone, drums and the piano whilst still at school earned him the privilege to travel around the country with local group,”We Four Trio”. However, it was his vibrant style with the ivories that brought him recognition for a series of funky, noteworthy albums at the beginning of the 70s on the Today imprint. He later went on to become the head of the A & R Department for Perceptions Today Records in New York City. During these early years, it was the genius of Patrick Adams that oversaw his recorded output, and gave it that light-handed, but assured touch. On this record, he marshals as co-arranger with Julius, production duties being ably represented by Terry Philips and Maurice Irby, Jr. Five of the nine tracks were also written by Maurice, further displaying his tremendous talent. The album (TLP 1003) appears to date from around 1970-71, pre-dating his 1972 solo release ‘Sophisticated Funk’ (TLP 1006).
Having donned my cyber-magnifying glass and pipe, I am sorry to report that I still have no idea who the female lead is joining Julius, or indeed what relationship she is to him (if any). The only Ms Brockington I am familiar with is Sandy of ‘Girl in Distress’ fame, but she has a more forceful nature. The ‘Ms Brockington’ in this case has a curious vocal quality – a sort of mix of a misty Sandy Shaw and weaker Gloria Scott. Accompanying her flaky vocal styling with the much more aggressive approach of Julius would ordinarily ring alarm bells, but they generate a mystical, almost awkward magic that took me a while to adjust to. Once hooked, I was well and truly Paul Kelly’d (‘hogtied and collared’).
You may already be familiar with the track ‘I Just Got To Know’, either as their version, or Benny Johnson’s more soulful stance. Here, the duo work a joyful sweat, with the stabbing interjections of Julius providing the perfect cradle for the pleading ‘Ms B’. Phenomenal by any standards. The LP kicks off with the funky, brass-riddled ‘Never forget’, a seemingly obvious commercial lead track on the super-rare set, with ‘Ms B’ singing in a lower key than usual. My least favourite track.
The next track brings Julius to the fore with an awkwardly phrased number that works that magic so deftly. A major grower, setting the ethos for the platter. Carole King’s ‘Smackwater Jack’ is given a great vocal rendition by ‘Ms B’, but Julius is unwisely on a tight leash - shame. Then there are two ballads I am already familiar with: ‘Jeremiah’ and ‘Eye Doctor’. Both are featured on Debbie Taylor’s 1972 set, ‘Comin’ Down On You’, also released on the Today label (TLP 1007). Unfortunately for me, that is one of my all-time favourite LPs. So in trying to remain impartial, the tracks here have a very soulful (not dissimilar) treatment with Julius grinding out a bluesy organ-filled smoke and ‘Ms B’ injecting it with a wispy, brokendown melancholy. Very very nice, very very intoxicating.
‘Please come back’ – it took me a while to grapple with ‘Ms B’s’ lazy vocal pitching, to the extent that I wondered if the record was suffering from distortion. Whichever, it won me over with its wild jazzy infection – and has become one of my favourites. Another Carole King favourite with the soul fraternity, ‘Natural Woman’, is given a thoughtful arrangement making it so much more than a filler track. In a similar vein to ‘Jeremiah’, we have the rhythmically complex ‘Pretty thing’ to close off proceedings with assured aplomb.
Nikos has provided me with yet another gem that I may have glossed over if I wasn’t ‘forced’ to write this review. How this man manages to gather these lesser but equally important pearls from the soul shore is surely testament to a very discerning ear. Many thanks dear friend for another musical lesson gratefully received.”
————————-
Buy original and reissue vinyl from Groove Collector and listen “I Just Got To Know“
Don’t forget to show some love and respect to Trakbuv for this amazing review, which is the only one available in the net.
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January 9th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
I would like to thank Trakbuv once again for his fantastic review on this rare record. Anyone who can help with the female voice or any other info about the album and group is welcome.
January 9th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Again a fantastic post. Thanx for that and thanx for the review. As I wrote before you become an expert for Soul only by reading this blog!
January 9th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Thanks, great info.
January 9th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
thank you so much for the share. much much obliged
January 9th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Fantastic find, and a very interesting read! Thanks!
January 9th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Additional info:
After a fourteen year down period of struggling with deep personal problems. Julius found the delivering power of the Gospel of God in Jesus Christ. He became a born again Christian. After accepting Christ he began to minister and devote his time and talents for the cause of Jesus Christ.
Since then Mr. Brockington has produced albums on his record label Joel and Micah Music, such as “Praise Him”, “The Lord Will See You Through”, “Harbor Place”, “In The Light Of His Word”,”Give The Children What They Need”,”Isaiah 53″ and “The Will Of God”.
Mr. Brockington is currently the director of music at the Manna Bible Baptist Church under the spiritual guidance of Dr. Joseph Brown.
January 9th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
thanks a lot!! the 2 julius brockungton albums I know are VERY good, this must be a treat!
peace, E-mile
January 9th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Wow!!!!!!!! A M A Z I N G!!!!!
January 9th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Thanks Nikos & Trakbuv!!
January 9th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
thanx nikos for the post and trakbuv for the review on this artist.
January 9th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
THANK YOU GREAT MUSICS !!!!
January 9th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Nice one. Thanks.
January 9th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Amaing post Nikos and Trakbuv!! I can’t wait to hear it. Much Thanks
January 10th, 2009 at 12:56 am
Heavenly soul music…….Great site!
January 10th, 2009 at 2:55 am
VERY NICE!!!!!! THANKS A MILLION!!!!!!
January 10th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Happy new year and thanks.
January 10th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Awesome! - Thanks Guys.
January 10th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Essential listening Nikos. Thanks Trakbuv for the accurate review.
January 10th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Excellent post, an overall enjoyable listening pleasure that fills perfectly some undiscovered (yet!) gaps in 70’s soul music, some not so commonly heard sounds, vocals + arrangements, and finally something you can hardly add a word or two to the above magnificent and to the full presentation by Trakbuv!
January 10th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
thanks for posting
January 10th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
dizzamm wassup Nikos, this record is soooo nice , many many thx for the share bubz!!!!!!!
January 10th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
oh! My God! Superb post by all means.
January 11th, 2009 at 12:17 am
Thanks, love Julius Brockington.
January 11th, 2009 at 12:52 am
Thank you! great find!
January 11th, 2009 at 1:35 am
Another quality post - you spoil us. And Yes, thanks to Trak for the writeup.
January 11th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
I only heard of Mr. Brockington from his track on the Doors Of Perception comp so needless to say I will definitely enjoy this one. As always, thank you Nikos and Trakbuv.
Peace and blessings.
January 11th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Nuff thanks Nick.
January 11th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
thanks fantastic
January 11th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Beautiful stuff. Thank you for the opportunity to check it out,Nikos.
January 12th, 2009 at 1:07 am
thanks a million for this quality rip.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Brilliant man,just brilliant!Thanks.
January 12th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
thanx
http://ghostfinger-digginthecrates.blogspot.com/
January 12th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Marvellous! Thank you very much.
January 12th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
this one looks incredible nios, never heard of the group…thx to u n trakbuv…!!!!
January 12th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Superb. Your blog is precious.
January 12th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Thank you, can not wait to listen.
January 13th, 2009 at 2:35 am
Thanks for another great post.
January 13th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Killer album and review! Thank you guys.
January 13th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
great post, keep up the good work…peace…
January 15th, 2009 at 5:30 am
This looks like an absolute treat! Thanks guys, the outstanding work you do here is very much appreciated
January 15th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
On listening to the album about twenty times I must say this is one of the best soul albums I have ever heard. It is true that there is something awkward about Ms B’s phrasing, but in the end this makes the music extremely attractive and interesting. This magical quality stands out nicely precisely in comparison with Debbie Taylor’s versions of ‘Jeremiah’ and ‘Eye Doctor’. Those of Debbie are standard soul: nice, but very much like dozens of other soul songs from the period. Ms B’s versions, on the other hand, can be listened to over and over again - and the better I know them, the more fascinating I find them. And Julius’ organ is truly a perfect partner for Ms B’s, helping to keep up the magical tension. So thanks a lot once again!
January 17th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
the shiznitt
nuff respect to aqll involeved
February 14th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
unexpected great album…Patrick Adams touch!! from track 04 all stunning…THANKS!
February 16th, 2009 at 1:10 am
wonderful album!! great! could you e-mail me the Mr. Brockington discography? many many thanks
bye
March 1st, 2009 at 12:48 am
Very good stuff. I will never forget where this album come from. Thanks
March 27th, 2009 at 12:26 am
The singer reminds me of Lotti Golden - heard her on WFMU’s blog here -http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2007/03/mp3_truffles_ke.html
July 12th, 2009 at 3:16 am
The music and “the review” was great!!!
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:33 pm
damn fine music!
October 1st, 2009 at 12:58 am
so nice so nice, super!
February 8th, 2010 at 1:28 am
Excellent. Thanx.