Funk my Soul

Lou Raws - 1966 - Soulin’

One of the best albums that Lou cut with the HB Barnum/David Axelrod team! The record’s not as funky, so much as it’s a wonderfully conceived batch of tunes that has Lou singing in that super-hip pop soul mode that blasted him onto the charts back in the old days. Side two features a killer batch of songs and monologues that run together - including “Old Man’s Memories”, about a guy sitting on a bench in Washington Park on the south side of Chicago, which then rolls into an amazing version of “It Was A Very Good Year”. Other tunes have a great mix of soul and jazz.

This is a @320 vinyl rip of the original Capitol LP including covers

Tracks
A1 A Whole Lotta Woman (2:37)
A2 Love Is A Hurtin’ Thing (2:15)
A3 So Hard To Laugh, So Easy To Cry (3:16)
A4 You’re The One (2:35)
A5 Don’t Explain (3:01)
A6 What Now My Love (3:56)
B1 Memory Lane (2:16)
B2 Old Man’s Memories (Monologue) (2:18)
B3 It Was A Very Good Year (2:51)
B4 Growing Old Gracefully (Monologue) (0:18)
B5 Old Folks (2:16)
B6 Autumn Leaves (2:37)
B7 On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever) (2:36)
B8 Breaking My Back (Instead Of Using My Mind) (2:23)

Review by Beverly Praiswater

My introduction to the voice of Lou Rawls was this very fine work. I was only in high school at the time, but my friend and I played this one over and over.

From the opening number “Whole Lotta Woman” you know that you are in for a swingin’ time. The ballad “Love Is a Hurtin’ Thing” and “Breakin’ My Back” were played on top 40 radio. (And with good reason.) “You’re The One” is a wild, soulful number. Lou’s “Don’t Explain” is one of the sassiest versions ever done! There is a little story as Lou sings “Memory Lane” and continues with a monologue followed by “It Was A Very Good Year”. Lou is very loose as he gives this song new definition and life. No one has ever sung “On A Clear Day” like this before or since. Instead of a ballad, Lou sings this song uptempo, but with conviction.

All of the songs on this LP were recorded flawlessly. The musicians on this work were very gifted as well as inspired. I only wish that they had been acknowledged in the liner notes as they deserved to be. They perfectly complete one of the best all-time greatest collection of songs.

If you are a Lou Rawls fan, this is a must for your collection. But if you love an excellent male “uptempo” jazz singer, this is a must for your collection as well. Get it before it is forever gone. You will want to play it over and over again “to satisfy your soul”.

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Lou Raws - 1976 - All Things In Time

The merging of Philly International & the strong vocal Pipes of Lou Rawls were gold to my ears. Lou Rawls was a Great fit to Gamble & Huff’s Creative vision along with the other in house Philly songwriters & producers. So many tight jams that still sound so smooth. A great collection. You always know Lou’s voice anywhere.

This is a @320 vinyl rip of the original LP including covers.

Tracks
A1 You’re The One (5:20)
A2 You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine (4:28)
A3 Time (2:55)
A4 Groovy People (3:20)
A5 Need You Forever (4:38)
B1 From Now On (4:57)
B2 Pure Imagination (3:43)
B3 This Song Will Last Forever (5:08)
B4 Let’s Fall In Love All Over Again (4:02)

Shortly before Rawls signed with Philadelphia International, his career had stalled. After a mostly successful stint with Capitol Records, he later signed with MGM and had a big hit with “Natural Man” in 1971. But the hits didn’t keep coming and his 1975 Bell album, She’s Gone, barely made a dent. His 1976 signing with Philadelphia International recharged his career and he immediately became one of the label’s most successful acts. All Things in Time is his label debut. Rawls was one of the few acts on the label who could do great work with a variety of the producers and arrangers. The biggest track here was the bravado-filled “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine.” With its subtle Latin rhythms and Rawls’ tongue-in-cheek intonations, the songs’ inherent nastiness was missed by legions of dancers. “Time” written by Jack Faith and Allan Felder has Rawls doing a pitch-perfect vocal that makes the song sound like a standard. On this album, Rawls also got a chance to do work with the quixotic Bunny Sigler. Both “Need You Forever” and “Frow Now On” have Sigler accentuating Rawls’ rougher edges. Unfortunately, all of the tracks aren’t great here. Despite Dexter Wansel’s imaginative arrangement, “Pure Imagination” could not be saved. All Things in Time does end on a great note. On “Let’s Fall in Love All Over Again,” a song previously done by Billy Paul and Nancy Wilson, Rawls’ take is arguably the best version. All Things in Time is not only one of Rawls’ best albums, it’s also one of the finest from Philadelphia International.

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Most of you are aware of Mr.Moo - I think he explained himself clearly on his blog.

So let’s enjoy his latest contribution, Clarence Reid’s debut (and best) LP, “Dancin’ With Nobody But You Babe”, recorded for Alston Records and distributed by Atlantic subsidiary Atco in ‘69. The album is a rarity for the time: an almost completely solid slab of lean, no-filler soul, back when even the greatest R&B; stars made stellar singles but middling albums. The clunky party vibe wasn’t too far off from that of Reid’s Texas labelmates, Archie Bell & The Drells–that is, if The Drells’ “Tighten Up”-strength hyperkinesis had been rendered slower, somewhat sultry, and super f***ing stoned. Keep an ear out for a couple of surprisingly excellent covers of Edwin Starr’s “25 Miles” and (believe it or not) a cringe-free version of The Beatles’ “Get Back.”

Tracks
A1   Nobody But You Babe (2:46)
A2   Twenty Five Miles (3:46)
A3   Doggone It (2:51)
A4  Get Back (3:54)
A5   Don’t Look Too Hard (2:20)
A6   I’ve Been Trying (2:26)
B1    Tear You A New Heart (2:55)
B2  Part Time Lover (1:57 )
B3  Shop Aroud (3:05 )
B4   Fools Are Not Born (2:09)
B5  Polk Salad Annie (3:55)
B6  Send Me Back My Money (2:21)

Singer/songwriter/producer Clarence Reid, like David Bowie and P-Funk’s George Clinton, had multiple musical personalities. One was of an earnest Southern soul singer, born February 14, 1945, in Cochran, GA, and recorded for TK Records president Henry Stone’s Alston imprint. His Billboard-charting singles were “Nobody but You Babe” (number seven R&B summer 1969, on the Atlantic LP), “Good Old Days” (early 1972), and “Funky Party” (summer 1974). He co-wrote hits for Betty Wright (”Girls Can’t Do What the Guys Do”), the million-selling “Clean Up Woman,” “Baby Sitter,” and “Let Me Be Your Lovemaker.” For Gwen McCrae, Reid co-wrote and co-produced “Rockin’ Chair,” which reached the pop Top Ten in 1975,
In his other persona, he performed X-rated material under the pseudonym Blowfly.   This was his biggest innovation, though–and one that would change the course of his life. His first recording as Blowfly, a 1965 song titled “Rap Dirty”, is considered by some to be the first rap song. But it wasn’t until 1971 that Reid got a band together, donned the mask, and laid down a whole album of the smutty stuff–which often times would parody hits of the day, only slathered with XXX-rated puns. Reid also helped Richard Finch get a job with TK Records and introduced Harry Wayne “K.C.” Casey to junkanoo, the festive party music that would be the core sound of Casey and Finch’s ’70s super group KC and the Sunshine Band.

This Henry Stone master (Alston Records) was handled by Atco Records for mass distribution and promotion, which didn’t happen to any great extent.. If you found this album in a record store north of the Mason-Dixon Line it was because of a shipping foul-up — unfortunate, because it’s one of Reid’s better endeavors. Recorded at the Zoo Recording Studio in Miami, FL, like most records under Stone’s family of labels, the recording was primitive, but in this case appealing. Reid updates “25 Miles,” “Shop Around,” and “I’ve Been Trying,” and adds some gritty Southern soul via “Nobody but You Baby,” “Send Me Back My Money,” and “Polk Salad Annie.” A prolific writer, Reid never really found his niche as a singer until he ventured into the novelty/party record scene as the outrageous Blowfly.

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The above info’s taken mainly from All Music Guide with some additional ‘first hand’ info (which in itself is quite an interesting read) here. The album is easily available on CD and (if you are lucky under 50 USD) on LP here

Now, for those who’ve never seen live Clarence Reid as his beloved persona Blowfly, enjoy one of the first rap songs ever: “Rap Dirty”

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A mixture of smooth LA soul with some deeper tendencies. A few very good funky tracks but killer sweet soul otherwise, all arranged by Wade Marcus.

Can’t really find any infos about her anywhere. This a rare album, her debut, which is much better than the 2nd one.

This is a @320 vinyl rip of the original United Artists LP including covers.

Tracks
A1. Give It Back 3.05
A2. Excuse Me 2.35
A3  Coming Back Home 3.24
A4  Jeremy 2.44
A5  Find A Place 2.59
A6  Maybe I Don’t Show It 3.36
B1  I’m Losing My Mind 4.12
B2  i know 3.14
B3  Ivory 3.06
B4  I Take My Fire With Me 2.55
B5  Let It Shine 3.52

It is one of those situations where you can hardly find a word or two about  the artist or the album, but at the same time you get easily hooked to the music as soon as you’ve just listened  to it. Yeah, music speaks louder than words for sure…

Although it was released on the mighty United Artists record label, it seems we know almost nothing about it nowdays. So, be it…. Just listen to the powerful voice of Lea and enjoy the music by yourselves.  Sometimes it is funky, sometimes it is slowing down the speed, but always remains at that wonderful mid tempo mood, sometimes it is in a lush environment, you can almost see the lustre of the pearls, you can almost swear Bobby Womack is somewhere near…. Oh dear, it is all good music at last. (Groovy Emmanuel)

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I’m afraid there’s no You tube video. You can buy a vinyl copy here and check her discography here.

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Bonus track

The amazing bonus track  “Love Can Break You” by Lea Roberts taken from her 1982 CD “My Silent Place” was sent by Nicolas Drosos who runs the wonderful “Mellow Soul & Sensual Grooves” blog which i suggest you should visit daily. It is full of 70’s and 80’s rare grooves.

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Elegant mid  1960’s girl-group pop produced by great producer Teddy Randazzo! In fact it’s much better than their first album which featured the pop hit “It’s Gonna Take A Miracle.”

Excellent compositions, soulful vocals, skillful orchestrations, pristine technical studio engineering. Teddy Randazzo the composer/producer/arranger was a true master. Wow!

This is a @320 vinyl rip of the original MGM Records LP including covers.

Tracks
A1. Baby Are You Putting Me On 3.00
A2. Love Without an End 2.51
A3. Getting Through to Me 2.31
A4. It’s a Big Mistake 2.53
A5. Don’t Throw Me Away 2.22
A6. Lonely Girl 2.04
A7. I Don’t Want to Be the One 2.13
A8. Shangri La 2.33
B1. It’s Better Not to Know 2.50
B2. Think Before You Act 2.21
B3. Let Me Know When It’s Over 2.12
B4. Forever More 3.09
B5. The Rest of My Life 2.27
B6. Can’t Stop Running Away 2.58
B7. An Affair To Remember (Our Love Affair) 2.16

Their 2nd effort released in 1966 feels like all the Tracks (with exception to “When Summer’s Gone”) were recorded within the same time frame and were meant for this LP ( even top flight groups of the Era like The Supremes did not, with the execption of their Rodgers & Hart LP, have albums based on one set of sessions. Their “I Hear A Symphony” LP includes tracks recorded in New York and Detroit, and a number of it’s selections were intended for a standards LP). In This sense “Elegant Sounds of the Royalettes” is similar to “Dusty In Memphis” because you can tell producer Teddy Randazzo was working to make a complete album statement not just a few hit singles ( which after 1965, unfortunately, The Royalettes did not have)and “Filler.”

The arrangements are more advanced than what the Royalettes previously employed by this album. “Baby, Are you Putting me on?” seems to outBurtBacharach  with all the time signature changes , and as a whole the LP keeps up the uptown soul feel continues through the Lp. The settings are lush, sometimes overly dramatic ( ‘Don’t Throw Me Away” is equally every bit as Dramatic as The Supremes “Love is Here and Now You’re Gone”…but better with a more imaginative arrangement) and the strutting “It’s a Big Mistake” are big highlights. “It’s Better not to Know” and “I don’t want to be the One” were more typical Randazzo productions (like Going Out of My Head, It’s Gonna Take a Miracle) but are no less thrilling ( Like listening to Holland Dozier Holland variations for various artists around this same time frame) and The Royalettes sound was the most accurate framework for what 1970’s soul music especially the work of Gamble& Huff, and Philadelphia International as a whole drew from. Historic and criminally underrated music. (Larry Jones)

Listen “I Don’t Want To Be The One”

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If you love Luther Vandross, then you will simply adore Mr. DJ Rogers, as Luther, DJ Rogers is also a tenor, with an smooth incredible range. DJ Rogers balladry, simply put must heard, it reaches the heart and kidney. DJ Rogers has been truly blessed by the True God to sing. This guy never had the air play he deserved.

It’s hard to understand why the very first album of gospel-inflected soul singer, songwriter and keyboardist D.J. Rogers, a kind of forgotten Sly Stone brother, hasn’t be reissued yet. The album was released on the Shelter label in 1973, but the project failed, mostly due to the label’s withdrawal of funds to the group who was trying to promote the record with shows in their Los Angeles hometown and around. From what I understand Shelter had been dropped by its distributor Capitol/EMI to find a deal only the next year with MCA Records… This was just not the right time, right place. Anyway Capitol bought the Shelter catalogue in 1993, so there’s still hope for this forgotten soul classic to see the light of day again!

This is a @320 vinyl rip of the original Shelter Records LP including covers.

Tracks
A1. Listen to the Message 3:43
A2. Where There’s a Will 3:27
A3. Take Time 5:12
A4. Watch Out for the Riders 3:11
A5. March On 3:09
B1. Celebration 3:52
B2. It’s All Over 4:33
B3. Don’t You Want to Ride 8:07
B4. Ball Out 4:20

This early release from D.J. Rogers is one of his best. Cut for the Shelter label in 1973, before Rogers gained some exposure on RCA and Columbia, the eponymous album features plenty of the gospel-inflected soul the singer/producer/arranger would become known for. In fact, the bulk here is squarely bent on the kind of community-driven positivism found in the black church (”March On,” “Where There’s a Will”). And the music certainly reflects the lofty sentiments, as strings, choral singing, and urbane soul grooves ensure a truly inspired mix; this blend is especially well essayed on the extended, heaven-bound travelogue “Don’t You Want to Ride.”

A soul classic that’s unfortunately still buried in album-bin oblivion.

Never released on CD and i can not find any vinyl available for sell.

You can also listen his 1976 “On The Road again” album here which voted in the best 100 Soul Albums of all time by Mojo Magazine.

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Rufus - 1973 - Rufus

The first album and an archetypal bit of jazzy rocking soul that would forever change the face of 70s pop. Chaka Kahn and the band are still working things out at this point, but the record’s got some excellent sweet funky moments, and some great LA production that drives the whole thing home nicely.

This is a@320 vinyl rip of the original ABC Records LP including covers

Tracks
A1 Slip ‘N’ Slide (3:47)
A2 Keep It Coming (3:12)
A3 There’s No Tellin’ (4:51)
A4 Maybe Your Baby (4:14)
A5 I Finally Found You (3:57)
B1 Feel Good (4:09)
B2 Satisfied (3:27)
B3 Haulin’ Coal (5:00)
B4 Whoever’s Thrilling You (Is Killing Me) (2:42)
B5 Love The One You’re With / Sit Yourself Down (Medley) (6:21)

In 1973, Rufus had yet to start going by the name Rufus & Chaka Khan. The band was still obscure, and the single that made Khan a superstar (1974’s “Tell Me Something Good”) was still a year away. Khan was handling most of the lead vocals, although keyboardist Ron Stockert was still doing a fair amount of lead singing. It was in 1973 that ABC released Rufus’ self-titled debut album, which wasn’t the big seller that 1974’s Rags to Rufus, 1975’s Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan, and 1977’s Ask Rufus would be. From a commercial standpoint, the problem with this LP was its lack of a really strong single, but from a creative standpoint, this is a decent and promising, if imperfect, debut. In 1973, Rufus’ original pre-Tony Maiden, pre-Bobby Watson lineup favored an earthy soul/rock blend along the lines of Ike & Tina Turner; in fact, Khan’s passionate vocals on “Feel Good,” Stevie Wonder’s “Maybe Your Baby,” and Stephen Stills’ “Love the One You’re With” point to the fact that Tina Turner was among her early influences. Not that Khan is actually emulating Turner, Aretha Franklin, or anyone else; in 1973, Khan was quite distinctive herself. As time passed, Rufus & Chaka Khan became sleeker and less rock-minded — if your introduction to them was “Once You Get Started” or “Sweet Thing,” you might be surprised to hear how rock-minded this LP is. Rufus falls short of essential and isn’t recommended to those with only a casual interest in Khan’s years with the band, but it’s an enjoyable debut that certainly isn’t without historic value. (AMG)

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Rufus fet. Chaka Khan - 1974 - Rags To Rufus

A classic early album by Chaka Khan and the jazzy soul group Rufus and the record that pushed them over the top, chartwise! The album features their huuuuuge hit “Tell Me Something Good”, a simply incredible workout that was the perfect mainstream showcase for Chaka’s great voice, made even better by the use of one of those cool Peter Frampton-vocoder thingies. The album also features some other excellent material that’s a bit more restrained, and more in the band’s usual jazz funk mode like “Ain’t Nothing But A Maybe”, “You Got The Love”, “Smokin Room”, and “Sideways”.

This is a@320 vinyl rip of the original ABC Records LP including covers

Tracks
A1 You Got The Love (4:39)
A2 I Got The Right Street (But The Wrong Direction) (3:17)
A3 Walkin’ In The Sun (3:02)
A4 Rags To Rufus (4:05)
A5 Swing Down Chariot (4:25)
B1 Sideways (1:55)
B2 Ain’t Nothin But A Maybe (3:36)
B3 Tell Me Something Good (4:40)
B4 Look Through My Eyes (3:13)
B5 In Love We Grow (3:38)
B6 Smokin’ Room (4:20)

In many respects the group seems to be feeling their way through this. Luckily, Rags to Rufus does feature some can’t-miss propositions. The great rock and funk mix of “You’ve Got the Love” all but sums up what Chaka Khan was going to be doing for the long haul. The biggest hit here, “Tell Me Something Good,” is a rare instance of an artist like Stevie Wonder giving away a tune that he could have had a big hit with himself. That being said, it was Khan’s playful and sensual vocal that put it over the top. The songs that veer from the formula suffer the most on Rags to Rufus. The cutesy “I Got the Wrong Street” and the saccharine “Walkin’ the Sun” are duds. Even early on, Khan needed songs that were complicated either lyrically or musically. On Ashford & Simpson’s “Ain’t Nothin’ but a Maybe,” Khan displays the maturity and knowing that it took to make the song have that much more emotional weight. Rags to Rufus ends on a relaxing note with the tracks, “Look Through My Eyes,” “In Love We Grow,” and the sultry “Smoking Room.” This album is far from perfect, but it’s certainly representative of the band’s gifts and Khan’s vocal power.

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Rufus fet. Chaka Khan - 1974 - Rufusized

Sure, it was a hit but it’s also an excellent batch of jazzy soul, sung by one of the 70’s greatest voices, backed by a sweet mellow vibe that’s still influencing hip hoppers today. Includes the incredible track “Stop On By”, plus the instrumental “Rufusized”, “I’m A Woman”, “Somebody’s Watching You”, “Please Pardon Me (You Remind Me Of A Friend)”, and “Right Is Right”.

This is a@320 vinyl rip of the original ABC Records LP including covers

Tracks
A1 Once You Get Started (4:28)
A2 Somebody’s Watching Out (3:14)
A3 Pack’d My Bags (5:05)
A4 Your Smile (3:23)
A5 Rufusized (3:13)
B1 I’m A Woman (I’m A Backbone) (3:17)
B2 Right Is Right (3:13)
B3 Half Moon (3:15)
B4 Please Pardon Me (You Remind Me Of A Friend) (3:00)
B5 Stop On By (4:53

In the early ’70s, Rufus was one of the most popular and interesting bands in R&B and rock. Of course, the reason was Chaka Khan, who possessed an amazing voice that was well versed in rock and jazz every bit as much as R&B. Their debut went nowhere, Rags to Rufus offered two instant classics, and Rufusized displayed their skill as album artists. Truth be told, this version of Rufus was nearly a brand-new band, as three members exited and guitarist Tony Maiden and bassist Bobby Watson joined up. The result was a funkier and more talented band who would give Khan the needed earthy and ethereal mix that would make her soar. The sexy and danceable “Once You Started” proves that this version of the band gave off immediate sparks and results. The sneaky and funky “Somebody’s Watching You” has Khan displaying even more confidence. After great album cuts like the soothing “Your Smile” and “Pack’d My Bags,” Rufusized ends on a strong note. The poignant and sophisticated “Please Pardon Me (You Remind Me)” leads into the Maiden and Khan duet cover of Bobby Womack’s “Stop on By,” which nearly matches the steaminess and wry nature of the original. Often forgotten due to the bigger hits on Rags to Rufus, this easily outstrips that album and became of one the band’s most-loved efforts

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Bio and discography here or here

Enjoy “Tell Me Something Good”

It’s still very disappointing to find out that most of you downloading without taking the time to drop a line. It does become quite discouraging though we really work very hard. Anyway, enjoy the gems and leave comments on the posts you like!

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This is one out of some very rare and expensive records I purchased lately. Check for yourselves here for the amount of dollars spent for some original copies.

A great northern soul LP i was after, since when i first heard the version of “Light My Fire”, originally covered by The Doors. Thanks God the whole album is really great!

This is a @320 vinyl rip of the original Tetragrammaton Records including covers.

Tracks
A1 Light My Fire (2:53)
A2 Baby, I Need Your Loving (3:25)
A3 Hip Old Lady On A Honda (2:08)
A4 Walk On By (2:53)
A5 His Happiness (2:35)
A6 Cry Myself To Sleep (2:06)
B1 Sooky (2:22)
B2 Giving Up My Heartaches (2:24)
B3 Gimme Some Of Yours (2:19)
B4 You’re Doing It With Her (2:45)
B5 I Can’t Stand Under This Pressure (2:23)

Sweet funky soul by this sometime Chicago soul diva, with arrangements by Mike Terry, and lots of tasty original tracks written by Jo Armstead. The album includes Rhetta’s funky cover of “Light My Fire”, but there’s lots of other nice ones, like “Gimme Some Of Yours (I’ll Give You Some Of Mine)”, “Giving Up My Heartaches”, “Sooky”, “I Can’t Stand Under This Pressure”, and “Cry Myself To Sleep”. Hard to find, too! (Dusty Groove).

A decent, if derivative, soul vocalist, Rhetta Hughes seemed about ready to move into the spotlight in 1969, when her remake of the Doors’ “Light My Fire” made the R&B Top 40. But she never sustained any momentum, with the next song “Angel Man” flopping for Aria, and Hughes was soon back on the supper club circuit, opening for such comedians as Bill Cosby.

You can buy your vinyl copy from Dusty Groove for 49,99 dollars, from Vinylrecords for 48,95 or from Calisoulbrother for 65.

Listen the wonderful “Light My Fire”

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