The Commotions - Somebody's Got To Go

I admit it; after listening to so many 45's thru the years, stuff can easily slip thru the cracks. Thanks to shuffle play on my trusty ol' ipod though, it's quite often that something pops up that gives me a reminder of how great it is. When this one came on, it REALLY floored me. It's so good, how could I have forgotten about it? A quick search of this ol' blog showed that I had never featured it! Hard hitting, funky jams with female vocals full of fire? You KNOW I'm 100% on board, and this record has that kinda vibe in full effect. I wish I knew some biographical info; the group released one other 45 on the Blue Rock label (which featured mostly Chicago artists), and their producer worked with artists from several regions. If you know more, please write. I think the universe works in powerful ways, as the time is right to feature this jam and dedicate it to the Trump administration, 'cause it's TIME TO GO.

The Sons Of Adam - Feathered Fish

(originally posted 9/9/2009) 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 Vontastic - Never Let Your Love Grow Cold

This is a real favorite of mine these days from this Chicago group who released far too few records. In this writer's humble opinion, this track is their best. Combining grungy garage rock guitar and those beautifully smooth Chicago group vocals, there is no way this song could lose. Add to the mix the excellent songwriter (and, unusually, a member of the group) Bobby Newsome, and this track is by far one of the best EVER featured in the 45 of the day club. Hope you love it as much as I do. from 1967...

A Little Togetherness: 40 roof raising soul jams

ALL of the music I love was created by black artists or influenced by black music. This is the 3rd of 3 mixx tapes of my favorite 45's, as I'm about to turn 45 (RPM) myself. Turn it up loud and honor these incredible artists. I could listen to these 40 songs only, 100 minutes of music, for the rest of my days and be content.

https://www.mixcloud.com/derek-see/a-little-togetherness-dereks-daily-45-presents-40-roof-raising-soul-jams/

Sweet/ mellow soul mixtape for you!

I'm turning 45 (RPM) in less than a week, so it seems like a good time to celebrate with a handful of favorite mellow/ sweet soul 45's. Anyone who knows me is well aware of my deep love affair with the small records with the big hole! 2 more (high quality audio) mixes coming up within the next week. As always, music (art) heals. Listen, share, repeat.

You Don’t Have To Worry - Doris & Kelley
I Won’t Do Anything - Lezli Valentine
Love’s Gonna Do You In - The Autographs
The Time Is Right For Love - Bobby Reed
Run To Me - Sheryl Swope
In My Opinion - The Vandals
So I Can Love You - The Emotions
I Fooled You This Time - Gene Chandler
It’s You - Hal & Brenda
These Arms Of Mine - Otis Redding
Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye - The Casinos
He Will Break Your Heart - Jerry Butler
Part Of Me - Johnny Adams
Soldier Of Love - Arthur Alexander
Sometimes I Wonder - Major Lance
It’s Just Your Way - Jan Bradley
Cry To Me - Solomon Burke
Echo - Brenda Holloway
My Love-Is - Little Willie John
Trouble Man - Marvin Gaye
Open Our Eyes - Funkadelic

https://www.mixcloud.com/derek-see/dereks-daily-45-presents-sweet-and-mellow-soul-favorites/

Little Richard, RIP

Thank you for everything, Richard. 

(originally posted 7/2009)

Little Richard cut some great sides in the period after he went lighter on religion and went back to the devil's music (including the great deep soul cut "I Don't Know What You've Got'...which features Hendrix on guitar) but it took Larry Williams as producer to get some of that old fire out of the Georgia Peach once again.

This red hot number is one of the many great cuts from 1967's "The Explosive Little Richard" which is an excellent album from start to finish. Practically every cut is a great dancer, but Okeh records chose wisely when they issued this one as the single. Unfortunately, it didn't revive Richard's career (as it should have).

(originally posted sometime in 2007)

Every time I hear the intro to this great record, it reminds me of the flamboyant Little Richard interview in the 1973 Jimi Hendrix film where he claims that Jimi was ALREADY a star when he met him and was a member of Richard's band. As the luscious guitar intro proves, even though Jimi was playing in the Curtis Mayfield style at the time of this recording, he was a musician of grace, taste, finesse and a giant TALENT.

Allegedly Jimi's time with Richard was cut short due to the amount of attention Jimi was receiving on the bandstand which infuriated the star of the show, but fortunately he stuck around long enough to cut this one and only single.

For nearly five years (late '57 until 1962) Little Richard had left the sinners life of secular music, and became a preacher. It wasn't until an offer to tour England in '62 came on the table (thanks to Don Arden, villain of yesterday's post)that Richard made a return to his signature secular sounds.

This record shows off beautifully how well Richard can SING. Everyone knows that he can peel the paint off of the wall with the shouts, but damn does he put in a stellar vocal performance here.

from 1965...

LITTLE RICHARD - I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'VE GOT BUT IT'S GOT ME

ALDER RAY - MY HEART IS IN DANGER

(Originally posted 8/21/09)

It's a real mystery as to how a record this great could be released by a nationally distributed label and languish in obscurity, but there are hundreds of examples of this kinda injustice. It's a great song, the arrangement cooks, and Alder Ray's vocal performance hits the stratosphere.

When I first wrote about this one, there wasn't much info available about Alder Ray, but I've since learned that she was a member of The Delicates, a Los Angeles girl group. She released a few other singles, all of which failed to catch on, but remain sought ought by collectors. Alder certainly deserved better. This song was written by Los Angeles soul singer/ songwriter Fred Hughes (not to be confused with Oakland, CA's Freddie Hughes). This is another all time favorite side of mine.

from 1966...

ALDER RAY - MY HEART IS IN DANGER

THE 3 DEGREES - ARE YOU SATIS-FIED

(originally posted 7/21/09)

If I was forced to compile a '20 favorite 45's' list, this one would undoubtedly be near the top.

This scorcher was released right around the time that tiny little Swan records went belly up, limiting any chances of much promotion, and more than likely very few got pressed. This song is yet another example of one that with the right exposure probably could have been a massive hit. The song was written by the late great General Johnson, he of The Showmen and Chairmen Of The Board.

The 3 Degrees were formed in Philadelphia in 1963 and went through several lineup changes (I believe this is their final record with the original lineup) before settling into their hit making 70's pop-soul sound.

from 1966...

THE 3 DEGREES - ARE YOU SATIS-FIED?

ALBERT COLLINS - THAW OUT

Been far too long since I've featured an instrumental of any sorts around here. This is one primal slab of molten hot lava from the blazing Texas guitarist. Dig the organ!

As Albert was known as the 'ice Man", this was another of his records to feature a 'cool" name (the previous record to this was called 'Frosty").

A great one from the last blast of an era of electric blues that essentially ended in the mid-sixties. And what a blast it was.

from 1964...

ALBERT COLLINS - THAW OUT

JOHNNY TALBOT - WHATCHA WANNA DO

(originally posted 2/9/11)

This hot shot record has quickly become one of my favorite bay area releases; Johnny Talbot (real name Tolbert) was born in Texas but moved to Oakland at a young age. He has had a long career and is known mostly for his blues/ funk sides (as well as being a staple of the local live scene). Here. on this early release, we find him churning out a fantastic uptempo r&b scorcher that starts in fifth gear and doesn't let up for two and a half minutes.

from 1964...

JOHNNY TALBOT - WHATCHA WANNA DO

GWEN OWENS - I LOST A GOOD THING

originally posted 10/16/09

Hailing from Detroit, Gwen Owens was apparently still a teenager when this track was cut. Talk about precocious, with a seasoned voice like this!

She cut a few more records on her own (some of which sell for massive bucks, but this one is my personal fave), then went on to work as a session backup singer, lead a group in the 70's and today, she is "back home" teaching music and singing at her church (in Los Angeles). Great to read that she is still singing.




2020 Update: Gwen's daughter, Xiantoni Ari, is active in the Los Angeles soul scene, with several releases and a fantastic live set. In fact, I had the pleasure of playing this song about two years ago. She does an amazing job singing this song; must make mom very proud!

A MASSIVE record!

from 1967...

GWEN OWENS - I LOST A GOOD THING

SAM DEES - SOUL SISTER

From Birmingham, AL, Sam Dees journeyed to Nashville as a young man to begin recording (of which this is one of his earliest sides) in the mid '60's. Sam later recorded for Atlantic in the 70's and appears to be somewhat active in music to this day.

 This is one of those records that isn't messing around; high octane, earthy, and pounding.

 from 1969...

SAM DEES - SOUL SISTER

JACKIE WILSON - THE WHO WHO SONG + SINCE YOU SHOWED ME HOW TO BE HAPPY

(originally posted some time in 2008)

My personal favorite records featuring the legendary Mr Wilson are those he recorded with Chicago soul production/ arrangement/ songwriting wizards Gerald Sims, Carl Davis, and Sonny Sanders. These records were capturing the cutting edge of a harder soul sound that was perfectly suited to Jackie's powerful vocals. This double sider is pure dynamite; both sides are performed at a blazing tempo and delivered with pure excitement.

from 1967...

JACKIE WILSON - THE WHO WHO SONG + SINCE YOU SHOWED ME HOW TO BE HAPPY

BETTY LAVETTE - I FEEL GOOD ALL OVER

(originally posted 7/27/09)

While it's a wonderful thing that Betty has had a career renaissance in recent years with excellent new recordings and extraordinary live performances, her mid to late 60's releases are simply unbeatable. This is the type of record that could easily be used to demonstrate what soul music is for someone who hasn't a clue. "I Feel Good" is an intense, pounding and swirling number; the kind of things that makes me go wild over 45's.

from 1965...

BETTY LAVETTE - I FEEL GOOD (ALL OVER)

LILLIAN DUPREE - HIDE & SEEK

(originally posted 7/13/09)

This seems to be the only record that this Detroit singer cut (at least under this name...) and what a favorite it is! I'm a complete sucker for any record that has a groove like this, and the first time I heard it I was hooked within the first five seconds.

from 1965...

LILLIAN DUPREE - HIDE & SEEK 

RONNIE MILSAP - A THOUSAND MILES FROM NOWHERE

Several years before he became one of the first of the country-pop crossover hitmaking acts, Ronnie Milsap began his career deeply rooted in rock and soul, releasing several singles in that bag. This, his own composition tucked away on a b-side, is my fave. His vocal performance is incredible, the band is raw, and there's some blistering, swampy guitar work.

from 1968...

 RONNIE MILSAP - A THOUSAND MILES FROM NOWHERE