TSU TORONADOES - GOT TO GET THROUGH TO YOU

While listening to this track, there's no doubt that this is the same group that was uncredited as the backing of "Tighten Up" by Archie Bell & The Drells. Their name came from Texas State University, and that veritable road kind sport sedan, the Oldsmobile Toronado.

This is a great track that has the same type of laid back but tight as a snare drum rhythm and superb horns that has made "Tighten Up" such a classic.

from 1969...

TSU TORONADOES - GOT TO GET THROUGH TO YOU

BILLY STEWART - SUGAR AND SPICE

As I was looking through my available files for today's selection (I am currently out on tour and have a cache of scans and MP3 files for posts. Thank you, laptops and wi-fi!), I realized that the legendary Billy Stewart has been VERY underrepresented on this blog.

While Billy's career met a tragic end in 1970 (auto accident while on tour) he was lucky in his lifetime in that he scored some crossover hits (well deserved) with his incredible vocal stylings.

Starting out in Bo Diddley's band while still a teen, Billy cut a few strange sides between '56-'57 and then was absent from recording for five years. This side was cut during his first session back at Chess records. An excellent song and performance that has one foot in the blues and another in the rapidly developing soul styles.

from 1963...

BILLY STEWART - SUGAR AND SPICE

MICKEY FINN - NIGHT COMES DOWN

The two top reasons why so much modern music leaves me cold is a) the lack of creativity in songwriting and b) the use of devices like auto tune which completely strips the soul out of music by making it sound as if it were recorded by droids.

Take this record for example; full of dynamics and excitement and one fiendishly out of tune guitar. I dig it though; that discordant sound just adds to the overall power of the record!

Add this to other pitchy masterpieces such as the first Velvet Underground LP, Stooges Raw Power, and anything released by the Troggs.

Auto tune? Give me AUTO OUT OF TUNE any day if it means bringing excitement back to music.

from 1965...

MICKEY FINN - NIGHT COMES DOWN

KNIGHT BROS - LOVE (CAN'T YOU HEAR ME)

No surprise that these two fellas got their start singing in church (nd they are not blood brothers; their names are Richard Dunbar and Jimmy Diggs). The group was formed in Washington DC as a spinoff to their teenage doo wop group the Starfires.

Directed by the great Bert Berns, this jaw-droppingly great song is beyond ANYTHING I could write a description for.

from 1963...

KNIGHT BROS - LOVE (CAN'T YOU HEAR ME)

JOE SIMON - LONG HOT SUMMER

Here's one for all of those who are suffering through the heatwave!

With a SMOOTH rich voice, southern soul giant Joe Simon definitely turns in a hot performance that's a 2:20 trip into a hot, humid kind of day where a cold drink of your choice and great tunes like this are just what's needed to feel a little bit cooler.

from 1966...

JOE SIMON - LONG HOT SUMMER

THE CABLES - BABY WHY

While I have quite a few collections, box sets and LP's of early reggae, I have never collected the 45's as I feel quite overwhelmed by the massive amount of 45's out there (and I'm already overwhelmed by the staggering number of soul and beat 45's that I'm still seeking out and discovering). However, I was recently in Toronto and luckily, on the same day I was there, a record show was on and I found a nice stack of 60's/ early 70's reggae 45's for a good price.

The Cables were led by Keble Drummond, and the group name was a play on his name, and also the fact that there music was "like a cable around the world".

A sublime track with absolutely mesmerizing harmony vocals.

from 1968...

THE CABLES - BABY WHY

TAMMY LEVON - SHOW ME THE WAY

Yet another record that was simply lost in the shuffle of the talent pool of Chicago soul. This is technically the b side of minor local (Chicago) hit "A Schoolgirl's Dream" but I find this to be a much stronger song.

Tammy released at least one more record, but other than that, I cannot find any more info.

from 1967...

TAMMY LEVON - SHOW ME THE WAY

THE VEL TONES - I DO

From the brilliant pen of Spooner Oldham and Dan Penn, I am proud to present this relatively forgotten gem that by all rights should have become a standard. This is one of those majestic songs that, to my ears, sounds as if it could have come from the air at any time and couldn't POSSIBLY have been written (if that makes any sense...)

Not sure if this is the same Vel Tones that recorded for Satellite (out of Memphis) in 1959 (then later cut a single for Stax as the Canes in 1967; A record that has been on my want list for many many years as a matter of fact. One of the hardest Stax singles to find!). It would make sense, as this sounds like it could easily be a Memphis record.

from 1966...

THE VEL TONES - I DO

THE GLASS SUN - I CAN SEE THE LIGHT

Here's an incredible psychedelic track from Ypsilanti, MI (near Detroit) group The Glass Sun; cool to see that this group has a myspace page and still occasionally performs to this day. Hopefully the fuzztone they used to record this track is still in working order!

from 1969...

THE GLASS SUN - I CAN SEE THE LIGHT

THE BLUE NOTES - HOT THRILLS AND COLD CHILLS

I first heard this at this year's MOD Chicago, where my man Brian (aka ace DJ "The Midnight Cowboy") played this gem of a jam and I had one of those "little record, where have you been all my life?" moments. First thing I did when I got home was to procure a copy of my very own!

Shortly before their smooth, Philly soul period, Harold Melvin & company recorded this all out burner.

from 1969...

THE BLUE NOTES - HOT THRILLS AND COLD CHILLS

WATSON & THE SHERLOCKS - FUNKY WALK b/w STANDING ON THE CORNER

What we have here is, quite simply, one of the hottest ever double sided records of the uptempo funky variety.

Possibly the only release from this Harrisburg, PA group. What vocals; have MERCY!!!

from 1969...

WATSON & THE SHERLOCKS - FUNKY WALK