THE APOLLAS - MR. CREATOR

The Apollas are yet another example of a great group that never had a hit when they were active, but this song in particular has lived on as a huge spin on the northern soul scene for many years and with it's magical combination of raw but professional vocals and killer driving sound it's no secret why.

I believe they were from L.A, but I could be wrong (feel free to write and correct).


from 1967...

THE APOLLAS - MR. CREATOR

THE METROS - TIME CHANGES THINGS

This Detroit group only released 5 45's (and, surprisingly, an LP) during the late 60's, and what a great one this is!

from 1966...

THE METROS - TIME CHANGES THINGS

DENISE LA SALLE - A LOVE REPUTATION

Born in Mississippi and relocated to Chicago, this is the debut 45 from Denise who later went on to score big with the excellent 1971 track 'Trapped By A Thing Called Love". This number, however, is one of those tracks that epitomizes the mid 60's Chicago sound and in my opinion is one of the greatest debut singles ever made.

from 1967...

DENISE LA SALLE - A LOVE REPUTATION

3 DEGREES - (GEE BABY) I'M SORRY

If only all relationships ended with the message being delivered in song sung so sweetly that it's over. Perhaps it might make it a bit easier?

from 1965...

3 DEGREES - (GEE BABY) I'M SORRY

TOMORROW - MY WHITE BICYCLE

To my ears, this is the greatest of all British psychedelic singles. The backwards effects and driving beat (provided by John "Twink" Adler, later of Pink Fairies) pushes this song into a superb dance freakout number! Plus, there is a great song underneath all of the chaos.

This song was inspired by the Dutch anarchist group Provos who placed white bicycles around Amsterdam; intended to be used freely by anyone.

from 1967...

TOMORROW - MY WHITE BICYCLE

THE MARVELLOS - SOMETHING'S BURNIN'

This Los Angeles group only released a few records, but this one is of such massive proportions that it shows once again that so many treasures of this time period are by either one off's or groups and artists that simply didn't have enough opportunities to show their capabilities.

The song is catchy and hypnotic, the arrangement is classy and propulsive, and the vocals are sublime.

from 1966...

THE MARVELLOS - SOMETHING'S BURNIN'

LEVON & THE HAWKS - HE DON'T LOVE YOU (AND HE'LL BREAK YOUR HEART)

Spending years perfecting their musical (and vocal!) chops in countless bars in Toronto and beyond, this is the group that, three short years later, became The Band. During that three years, these guys were some of the most controversial musicians around, backing Bob Dylan on his first worldwide electric tours. Creating some of the most alive, raw and soulful music ever heard, they were booed almost everywhere for the heresy of perverting pure folie Dylan. Little did they know Bob always wanted to be a rock star and the incredible musicianship of the Hawks helped him achieve what he always wanted!

The Hawks spent the latter part of the fifties through around 1964 as backing back for rockabilly legend Ronnie Hawkins, who took the combination of young Canadians and one transplanted southerner under his wing, worked them hard and turned them into some of the finest musicians known to the world.

This track is so deep and utterly soulful that it could easily pass for something off of Stax records. While the Band later explored all types of roots music, the r&b backbeat was a constant through their entire career.

from 1965...

LEVON & THE HAWKS - HE DON'T LOVE YOU (AND HE'LL BREAK YOUR HEART)

ART NEVILLE - HOOK, LINE & SINKER

Eddie Bo is a great artist to collect; he had his fingers in so many musical pies that one could never possibly get (or perhaps even want!) every record he has been affiliated with.

A record such as this, that he produced for beautifully voiced NOLA titan Art Neville is one of those records that shows the true Bo-power in full effect (his hottest records have some of the greatest percussion known to man). Eddie knew how to keep the party goin' fo sho.

from 1966...

ART NEVILLE - HOOK, LINE & SINKER

TOWANDA BARNES - YOU DON'T MEAN IT / (YOU BETTER) FIND SOMEONE TO LOVE

...Another chapter in the Towanda Barnes story (see "If I'm Guilty", featured a few weeks back). Backing on these tracks is by the legendary Ohio Players. An amazing double sider from this powerful voice.

I'll be outta town for a few days, so no postings til next week.

from 1970...

TOWANDA BARNES - YOU DON'T MEAN IT

THE DAISIES - COLD WAVE

Girl group soul perfection from yet another mysterious group! Who are you, Daisies?

This song was written by Ashford & Simpson when they were at their PEAK.

from 1966...

THE DAISIES - COLD WAVE

HEY Chicago area friends! 9/18/09

I'm gonna be in town DJ'ing an all soul/ garage/ psych/ mod madness night with Chi-town's legendary Mod man of action, Eric Colin. Come on OUT!

Am I bringing the heat? You betcha. No laptops, MP3's or CD's will be anywhere NEAR the DJ booth.

LARRY WILLIAMS & JOHNNY WATSON with Kaleidoscope - NOBODY b/w YOU BETTER FIND SOMEONE TO LOVE

What a collaboration! There has been plenty written about the general thug life of Williams and Watson, and here they are, backed by LA's kings of psychedelic world music, Kaleidoscope for both sides of this extraordinary disc.

from 1967...

LARRY WILLIAMS & JOHNNY WATSON with Kaleidoscope - NOBODY

CHARLIE PALMIERI - UPTIGHT

Boogaloo on a Monday morning, anyone?

with a brilliant career that involved playing with all the major hitters of Latin soul and jazz, Charlie was a child prodigy who learned piano by ear, and was also a major player in the development of charango music, as well as bugaloo (aka boogaloo).

If this song doesn't put a smile on your face, I don't know what would.

from 1967...

CHARLIE PALMIERI - UPTIGHT

THE WHISPERS - NEVER AGAIN

Curators of some of the finest west coast harmonies many would say THE greatest and who am I to argue?), here is another track that's the stuff of legend for L.A soul. While "The Dip" and "As I Sit Here' (both previous 45's of the day) seem to get the majority of the attention (and are both incredible songs) this track is not far behind in its' majesty.

from 1965...

THE WHISPERS - NEVER AGAIN

THE CONSTELLATIONS - I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO

Anyone know anything about this group? An incredible record. I'd sure like to know more. I know that they have one other (very valuable, also amazing 45 on this same label). Help!

from 1968...

THE CONSTELLATIONS - I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO

TINA BRITT - SOOKIE SOOKIE

While I don't think it's possible to hear a bad version of this cut (it's been recorded by the ranks of Grant Green to Steppenwolf and every version I've heard smokes!) to this listener this Detroit mover is the ultimate version.

Tina's sassy and powerful vocals match the ultra funky guitar and raw to the bone drums for one that's guaranteed to lift your Friday.

from 1969...

TINA BRITT - SOOKIE SOOKIE

TWISTIN' KINGS - CONGO part 1

I LOVE this percussion heavy early Motown release. This record seems to be lost to history and it hardly ever gets mentioned. The Twistin Kings were in all actuality the Motown house band cutting loose (aka the Funk Brothers). This track is quite revolutionary and I wonder if the drums have ever been used in any hip hop records (I am no expert in that field). Part 2 is pretty hot, as well (email me if you want it).

from 1961...

TWISTIN' KINGS - CONGO part 1

THE SONS OF ADAM - FEATHERED FISH / BABY SHOW THE WORLD

The Sons Of Adam (founded by guitar legend Randy Holden), had started life as a surf instrumental band from Baltimore, moved to LA at the tail end of ‘63, and morphed into The Sons Of Adam by ‘65. By the time their final single was released, Randy Holden was out of the band, replaced by Craig Tarwater on (blazing) lead guitar. What sets this apart from so many psych/ garage tracks is that it was penned by none other than Arthur Lee (at his peak), exclusively for the Sons Of Adam. Arthur’s genius plus the Sons instrumental prowess made for a devastating single. Shortly after this release, the band broke up, and drummer Michael Stuart joined Love, just in time for Forever Changes. Craig Tarwater joined Love in their heavy period (‘70-‘73), and played in Arthur Lee’s excellent ‘Vindicator’ LP.
THE SONS OF ADAM - FEATHERED FISH
b/w BABY SHOW THE WORLD

LONZINE CANNON - QUIT WHILE I'M AHEAD / COLD AT NIGHT

What an INCREDIBLE double sider!

And to think, this one has been laying relatively quiet in my collection for quite some time. Here's how it works for this blog; ever since I started (700 or so records ago!) I have kept a list of 45's I want to feature, and of course this list keeps expanding and contracting as records are featured and new ones enter the collection. Found this one in a junk shop in Indiana for 50 cents (thanks to my mom who told me about this place in the middle of nowhere that had thousands of 45's. I ended up buying over a hundred, and luckily this was one of them!)

For some reason, I kind of forgot about this one and rediscovered it while randomly listening to saved files. What an oversight!

Two sides of glory, and WHAT a voice! While she released a few sides on Phillips in this era, there is not much info about her on the web. Anyone?

from 1964...

LONZINE CANNON - QUIT WHILE I'M AHEAD

THE FANTASTIC VANTASTICS - GEE WHAT A BOY

Gee what a great record! While it appears to be a girl group on the surface, vocals are provided by Van McCoy and Kendra Spotswood (aka Sandi Sheldon). Thier voices are so similar, the harmonies are otherworldly. It's no wonder they cut so many records together! (A great account of their story may be found here: http://www.spectropop.com/SandiSheldon/index.htm)

from 1965...

THE FANTASTIC VANTASTICS - GEE WHAT A BOY

THE HOLIDAYS - I KEEP HOLDING ON

The only thing that seems appropriate to post today is some more of that Detroit magic!

Here's a great track (slightly re-written by George Clinton- later redone by Parliament as "Fantasy Is Reality". I bet that he co-wrote this originally but was shut out of credit) by this Detroit group that has one of the most complex, interesting histories...

from 1967...

THE HOLIDAYS - I KEEP HOLDING ON

Thrill of a lifetime...

One of my all time favorite rock n roll groups are The Stooges. Their music was trailblazing, sexy and has aged better than most music from any age.

Tomorrow night, I am pleased to say that my band, Careless Hearts, will be backing Stooges guitarist James Williamson for a one off gig in San Jose. His first gig in 35 years.

If you are in the bay area and haven't heard about this, get a ticket QUICK because it is almost sold out.

James' guitar playing still kicks, still thrills and is some of the hottest fretwork you'll ever hear. Plus, he co-wrote all of the songs on raw Power and Kill City with Iggy Pop. A true legend, and he's BACK.

THE FABULOUS PEPS - WITH THESE EYES

This Detroit group was known for an incredibly dynamic, energetic live show. Easy to believe, when listening to this record; I could just picture the dance steps and stage presence and wish I could go back in time to witness a performance. Another classic from the motor city!

from 1967...

THE FABULOUS PEPS - WITH THESE EYES

DARROW FLETCHER - INFATUATION

Darrow is one of those artists who, basically, will have close to his entire discography featured here at some point. A real favorite and WAY too under appreciated.

I love the unique sound and the slow burning groove of this record that truly captures what infatuation truly feels like. Not bad for a 17 year old.

from 1967...

DARROW FLETCHER - INFATUATION

BOB SEGER SYSTEM - 2+2=?

The anti-war message of this song still hits with the same resonance that it did 40 years ago, and the soulful vocals of early Bob and the fuzz guitar and incredible backing still thrill and still thrive.

from 1968...

BOB SEGER SYSTEM - 2+2=?