RUBIN - YOU'VE BEEN AWAY

Anyone out there know who this Rubin fella is? Seems to be the only record made under this cryptic name.

Internet searches of both Rubin and producer Bob Schwartz turn up fruitless.

from 1967...

RUBIN - YOU'VE BEEN AWAY

SYL JOHNSON - ODE TO SOUL MAN

Sometimes, an all out funk burner is just what the doctor ordered.

Today is that day. It has been far too long since I've featured the stellar work of Syl Johnson. I was very pleased to see that this monster is one that I have neglected to feature around these parts. If this doesn't put a great big grin on your face, I'm afraid you've come to the wrong blog!

from 1968...

SYL JOHNSON - ODE TO SOUL MAN

RENALDO DOMINO - DON'T GO AWAY

With a voice as sweet as sugar ("Domino" was his adopted name, after the brand of sugar), Renaldo Domino, with better exposure, could have (should have) been a massive star. Releasing a precious few seven 45 RPM records, this Chicago singer just never could get a break, commercially and dropped out of the business in the early 70's.

The story has a happy ending, though. Thanks in part to soul fans worldwide and the efforts of the excellent Numero Group label and their exhaustive reissuing of obscure soul, Renaldo is singing in public again.

This early effort is a catchy, well arranged song with incredible vocals (of course) that truly should have been a hit. An attempt was made twice; this same song was also released the previous year by Smash records as Renaldo's debut single.

from 1968...

RENALDO DOMINO - DON'T GO AWAY

EL CHICANO - VIVA TIRADO

I know I'm a few days late in saying how sorry I am to hear that El Chicano organist Bobby Espinosa passed away last week, far too young at age 60.

Here's to you, Bobby.

from 1971...

EL CHICANO - VIVA TIRADO

THE CAESERS - GET YOURSELF TOGETHER

This gorgeous record seems to be a companion to "I've Got Myself Together" by The La Niers; released on River City Records (with the exact same label design as this, and both are arranged by jazzman Hugh Whalum).

I tried to get more info about this disc, and all roads lead to Rome, in this case and unfortunately I didn't learn anymore about this record than when I started out (it's a favorite in the Lowrider community, The Caesers had a few more highly regarded and collectable sides, and it was cut St Louis). I did find a New York City radio playlist for March '67 that listed it as a record "on the move". Should have been a massive hit.

from 1966...

THE CAESERS - GET YOURSELF TOGETHER

MARTHA VELEZ - SWAMP MAN

With a who's who of British rock n' blues musicians enlisted as backing musicians, New Yorker Martha Velez cut this record (which also ended up on her debut LP) in the UK with producer Mike Vernon.

The other side seems to get more attention (it's a version of Etta James' "Tell Mama") but I am much more partial to this side, which is oozing with raw funkiness with Martha's brassy voice riding high over the top.

Martha's career has also included not only a fair bit of acting, but also a stint in the mid-70's recording in Jamaica with Bob Marley.

from 1969...

MARTHA VELEZ - SWAMP MAN

BARBARA CARR - MY MAMA TOLD ME

Born Barbara Crosby in St Louis, Barbara began performing at an early age (in her church choir and eventually as part of a family gospel group called the Crosby Sisters). She joined a secular group called The Petites in 1963 where she met local raconteur Oliver Sain. Sain was very active in arrangements and productions (many of which were released by Chess records), and had just broken personal ties with Fontella Bass. With her powerful, brassy voice, Barbara seemed to be the perfect replacement for Fontella.

This was Barbara's debut single for Chess, and this is actually the b-side (however this side has gone on to be THE collectible side and the one which I first heard on the excellent compilation "Where The Girls Are Vol 3"). Sadly, Barbara's singles for Chess did not sell well, despite their excellence. This 45 is notoriously difficult to find, and it took me quite a few years to snag a copy. All good things are worth the wait! In addition to Barbara's amazing vocals, Oliver Sain's horn arrangement on this track is to die for, along with a relentless, hypnotic groove.

After a sabbatical of many years, Barbara came back in the late 80's as a bawdy blues singer who is still very active today.

from 1966...

BARBARA CARR - MY MAMA TOLD ME

ENTERTAINERS IV - GETTIN' BACK INTO CIRCULATION

Here's a superb side from this L.A group (featuring Bobby Swain, formerly of doo-wop/ r&b group The Superbs) all about when we get up after a bad relationship, dust ourselves off and move on. As I sit and write this, I'm surprised to think about how few songs are about this topic!

The performance and arrangement perfectly captures the frame of mind that this song puts across with stellar vocals.

As we see from the label, some lucky so and so got this record for 10 cents at one time! I'm afraid to say it wasn't me, but when it comes down to it, records like this are priceless works of art.

from 1966...

ENTERTAINERS IV - GETTIN' BACK INTO CIRCULATION

THE BLENDELLS - LA LA LA LA LA

Coming out of East LA, the Blendells, along with the Premiers and Thee Midniters were at the apex of Chicano "Brown Eyed Soul"; all of these bands released scads of great records that were very influential on the west coast. Sadly, many of these excellent musicians were drafted into the Vietnam War, effectively ending their shots at continued stardom.

This track, with absolutely infectious energy and groove, takes on Stevie Wonder's "Fingertips Part 2" and throws it in a blender along with some cilantro and southern California heat and turns it into an absolute party classic. I played this song out recently in a DJ set and about a half dozen people came up to me and asked what it was.

Recorded live in Fullerton, CA (the Orange County city that was also home to Fender Guitars as well as a strong Latino community), I can only imagine how cool these guys looked up there onstage with all of their locally built Fender gear and hip suits. Ahhh, to go back in time...

from 1965...

THE BLENDELLS - LA LA LA LA LA

LITTLE CARL CARLTON - COMPETITION AIN'T NOTHIN'

Sometimes I lose track of what I have and haven't posted; I thought I posted this one ages ago, but turns out I didn't! Glad to have noticed that oversight, as this is one of the all time classics!

Carl was all of 14 years old when he cut this record.

from 1968...

LITTLE CARL CARLTON - COMPETITION AIN'T NOTHIN'

THE ARTISTICS - THIS HEART OF MINE

I've resisted posting this classic for a long time, as mu copy has some serious surface noise at the beginning but I woke up with it in my head and figured the time is right. You folks don't mind a bit of surface noise, DO YOU?

Simply another incredible piece in the Chicago soul puzzle from the always excellent Artistics. This track was written by Detroit's Barrett Strong (as in "Money (That's What I Want)") which I really dig; Chicago+Detroit+1965= perfection!

from 1965...

THE ARTISTICS - THIS HEART OF MINE