“Party Down” Little Beaver   Cat Records (1974) Willie Hale was a session musician who played on such hits as Betty Wright’s “Clean Up Woman”, and George McCrae’s “Rock Your Baby”.     The back-up musicians here are a who’s who of the Miami funk/soul sound and TK, Alston and Glades Records stable. Party Down Part 1   features background vocals by Betty Wright, pianist Benny Lattimore (“Let’s Straighten It Out”), and organ man Timmy Thomas (“Why Can’t We Live Together”).

“Come on girl, don’t be shy, we’re just partying down, you and all your friends, we’re gonna party down.”

(25 votes, average: 4.20 out of 5)

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“Mr. Big Stuff”   Jean Knight on Stax Records   (1971)   The song “Mr. Big Stuff”   reached #2 on the pop chart and #1 on the R&B chart. It went double platinum, was one of the label’s biggest hits and received a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance (she lost to Aretha Franklin’s version of “Bridge Over Troubled Water”) And what a cool cover!   Unfortunately, Jean never reached such commercial heights again.

I saw her perform at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 1992 (her home town) and she was great!   I remember everyone in Congo Square grooving to “Dont Talk About Jody” (also on this album).   I hope you enjoy it too.

(53 votes, average: 4.38 out of 5)

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The Natural Four   Curtom Records   1974   Produced by Leroy Hutson   Contains their radio hit, and one of my favorite soul songs,   “Can This Be Real”

(Written by Leroy Hutson)   Oh, and those suits!

(21 votes, average: 3.76 out of 5)

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The Mad Lads in Action   Volt Records   (1966)   One of the few vocal groups on the Stax roster during the ’60s, the Mad Lads’ doo wop-influenced harmonies were more akin to what you might find in Philadelphia soul acts than those of their native Memphis.   Action includes all of the Mad Lads first recordings, except for their debut “Sidewalk Surf.” (Remakes comprise 25-percent of the album.)   The waltz tempo, “I Want Someone” went to number ten (R&B) and number 74 (Pop), and is their biggest selling single.     “Don’t Have to Shop Around,”   was the group’s second best-selling record, charting at number 11 (R&B) and number 93 (Pop).

The C.O.D.’s hit the big-time with “Michael the Lover,” but listening to the Mad Lads re-recording, you’d think it was written just for them.   Listen up: Michael the Lover (lp version)

(35 votes, average: 4.23 out of 5)

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Barbara Lewis “Workin’ On A Groovy Thing”   Atlantic Records   (1968)   Listen up: workin-on-a-groovy-thing

Patti Drew “Workin’ On A Groovy Thing” Capitol Records (1968)   Listen up: workin-on-a-groovy-thing

One of my favorite soul songs, “Workin’ On A Groovy Thing” was actually written by Neil Sedaka.   It was first recorded by Chicago songstress Patti Drew for Capitol Records in 1968.   Barbara Lewis’ version (top) followed Patti’s that same year.     (The next year it became a bigger hit for “The 5th Dimension” which, as they did with others’ songs many times,   charted with a “poppier” version.)

Which one do you think is groovier?

(36 votes, average: 3.81 out of 5)

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Harlem River Drive   Eddie Palmieri   Roulette Records   With Charlie Palmieri on Organ and Jimmy Norman, Vocals.   (1971)   Seminal early mix of latin, salsa, soul, funk and jazz.   Have a listen to The 01-harlem-river-drive-theme.

(50 votes, average: 4.02 out of 5)

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Sound-O-Rama Presents The Windy City Four   “Don’t Let the Devil Ride”   This is a very rare soul-gospel lp that goes for hundreds of dollars when it seldomly comes on the market.   For me the value is in the cover – I’m a sucker for a hot girl in a devil costume.

(59 votes, average: 4.44 out of 5)

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Kool and the Gang “Live at the Sex Machine   Blue Elephant Records

(140 votes, average: 4.05 out of 5)

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Major Lance “Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um” b/w “Sweet Music”   Okeh Records (1964)   Written by Curtis Mayfield.   This single was the follow up to the 1963 hit “Monkey Time,” (also written by Mayfield).

In 1978, Major Lance was convicted of selling cocaine and he spent the next four years in prison.   Upon his release, he began playing the Beach Music circuit on the Carolina coast until 1987 when a heart attack halted his career again.   In 1994, he performed at the Chicago Blues Festival, a show which turned out to be his last.   Major Lance died of heart failure on 3rd September 1994, at the age of 55.

(38 votes, average: 3.34 out of 5)

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Etta James Rocks the House.   Argo Records.   An incredible live show from the New Era Club in Nashville, Tenn. in 1963.   Features guitarist David T. Walker fronting a killer band. This album rivals B.B. King Live at the Regal for best live blues record ever. Etta James sings so tough, so ballsy, I can’t think of another singer to compare her to. She almost makes even Wilson Pickett and James Brown sound like wimps. On a couple of songs, she does some scatting you have to hear to believe.   Besides the incredible singing, the other thing that makes this album a joy is the audience. Their excitement is palpable. On a couple of songs, Etta gets a thrilling call and response going with them, and their energy seems to feed her. The album is the next best thing to Etta James in person. (bluemamma) 1. Something’s Got A Hold On Me 2. Baby What You Want Me To Do 3. What’d I Say 4. Money (That’s What I Want) 5. Seven Day Fool 6. Sweet Little Angel 7. Ooh Poo Pah Doo 8. Woke Up This Morning 9. Ain’t That Lovin’ You Baby 10. All I Could Do Is Cry 11. I Just Want To Make Love To You

January 20, 2012 – RIP Peaches!

(60 votes, average: 4.12 out of 5)

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