JAMO THOMAS - ARREST ME b/w JAMO'S SOUL

Jamo's followup to "I Spy (For The FBI)" (his biggest hit) is this excellent record that repeats the formula of "I Spy"; with a formula like THAT, I'll listen to it as many times as the mighty Jamo Thomas cares to recycle it, thank you very much.

Jamo Thomas was allegedly from the Bahamas, although some say he was a native to Chicago where he made his classic records.

The b-side, Jamo's soul, is an incredible conga driven instrumental as well.

Unusually for an independent soul release, this 45 was issued with an amazing picture sleeve.

from 1966...

JAMO THOMAS - ARREST ME


JAMO'S SOUL


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THE BEAUTIFUL DAZE - CITY JUNGLE PART 1

This record has been featured on some very well known compilations (Pebbles Volume 3 and Acid Dreams) but information about the band has apparently never surfaced!

Rumor has it that the band moved from somewhere in the pacific northwest to L.A where they cut this record; perhaps they got lost in the haze of the city jungle they speak of, or perhaps this was just a very good studio concoction? I've certainly never seen their name on any posters from the era.

Whatever it is, this dark, pounding psychedelic side is a true masterpiece.

The days when us music fanatics would scour old articles on microfiche at the public library are ancient history in this information age, so it makes it all the more surprising that none of the people behind this record have ever surfaced.

from 1967...

THE BEAUTIFUL DAZE - CITY JUNGLE PART 1


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DOROTHY BERRY - YOU BETTER WATCH OUT b/w AIN'T THAT LOVE

Sometimes it shocks the hell out of me that four years into this blog (with nearly 1500 records already featured) that it's still possible to feature a record of this type of superlative quality.

Both sides of this record are simply perfect, and both sides are also written and produced by future Bread-man David Gates. Some may say these two sides are his greatest ever, and I'm inclined to agree (although I truly love a lot of those Bread hit singles, as well as the first song on their debut LP, "Dismal Day".)

"You Better Watch Out" is one of those ridiculously great girl group numbers that puts the man in his place, and "Ain't It Love" is an incredible mixture of soul and British Invasion beat. Records DO NOT come any better than this!!!!

Dorothy Berry was married to "Louie Louie" songwriter Richard Berry from 1957 til 1968, and she was the inspiration behind "Louie", as she was the 'fine little girl, she waits for me". Read more about Dorothy here at my friend Eric's site. Dorothy was also inspired to become a professional singer by her husband. THANK YOU Richard Berry for if it weren't for you we may never have heard this glorious voice!!!

from 1964...

DOROTHY BERRY - YOU BETTER WATCH OUT

b/w AIN'T THAT LOVE


This is one that we also do in my band, The Bang Girl Group Revue.



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THE EYES OF BLUE - DON'T ASK ME TO MEND YOUR BROKEN HEART b/w SUPERMARKET FULL OF CANS

Hailing from Wales, The Eyes Of Blue were STRONGLY influenced by the U.S soul sound, as heard on this double sider, as well as their excellent debut; a cover of The Parliaments "Heart Trouble".

The group delivers a very nice sound on both sides, and my preference falls towards "Don't Ask me...", although "Supermarket" tends to get a bit more attention. Don't get me wrong, I really dig "Supermarket" but from a songwriting perspective I find the lyrics a bit clunky (although it doesn't ruin my enjoyment of the song!)

from 1967...

THE EYES OF BLUE - DON'T ASK ME TO MEND YOUR BROKEN HEART

b/w SUPERMARKET FULL OF CANS


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JAMES AND BOBBY PURIFY - DO YOUR THING

Eight years after their massive debut smash ("I'm Your Puppet", aka one of the greatest songs ever written/ recorded), James Purify was back with a new Bobby in a man named Ben Moore. The "original" Bobby (Robert Lee Dickey) retired from music in 1971, and passed away this past December.

Judging by the intensity of this record, after three years away, James was in great form, and he and his replacement Bobby had an excellent vocal blend that kept the legacy of the great soul duo's into the budding disco age.

The excellent song (written by Isaac Hayes) is driven hard by the always excellent southern soul production style of Tommy Cogbill (who is probably playing bass here and possibly even guitar as well) and Papa Don.

from 1974...

JAMES AND BOBBY PURIFY - DO YOUR THING


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THE CHICKS - GOTTA SEE MY BABY EVERY DAY

While the song itself isn't much on its own, the overall production of this records MAKES IT, in my opinion. I get completely engulfed in the excellent fuzzed out guitar, that stomping beat, and the fantastic vocals.

The Chicks were teenage sisters Judy (b 1950) & Sue Donaldson (b 1952) who grew up on a farm in Auckland, NZ after moving their from their native Wellington, NZ. Auckland was one of the most amazing places I've ever visited; the hilly city has a great vibe in general, and it's located in the middle of some extraordinary natural beauty (the beach made famous in the film "The Piano' is near Auckland). Needless to say, I was very happy to find this record in Auckland!

There's nothing like sibling harmonies, and Judy & Sue sound downright heavenly on this track.



from 1967...

THE CHICKS - GOTTA SEE MY BABY EVERY DAY


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JUSTINE WASHINGTON - I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL I SEE MY BABY

Justine Washington is best known as Baby Washington, but also recorded for reasons unknown as Jeanette Washington.

Possessing an incredible, earth voice, Justine's professional music career began in 1956 when she was all of 16 years old as a member of New York City group The Hearts. By 1959, she was recording as a solo artist.

Justine continues to sing to this day, performing occasionally on the east coast. Sadly, she was working on tracks with producer Juggy Murray (of Sue Records fame) who was quoted as saying he would "rather record Baby Washington than eat" when Juggy died in 2005.

This beautiful track showcases those amazing vocals, the fantastic New York City soul sound of Juggy Murray's production hand, and quality songwriting in Chip Taylor (of "Wild Thing" fame).

from 1963...

JUSTINE WASHINGTON - I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL I SEE MY BABY


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THE UNDERDOGS - LOVE'S GONE BAD

Hailing from Grosse Point, MI (an affluent suburb of Detroit), this is the final single from The Underdogs, and was also an attempt by Motown's Berry Gordy to break into the rock n roll market.

While he showed his always excellent taste in signing this talented group, their fantastic cover of Chris Clark's (another white Motown artist) "Love's Gone Bad" did not break nationally.

While the vocals hear don't hold a candle to Chris Clark's transcendent performance, this version still kicks, and shows what a shame it is that the Motown drum sound and overall production wasn't heard on more garage rock records in the '60's.

One of Holland-Dozier-Holland's greatest tunes, and one that should have been a massive smash hit.

from 1966...

THE UNDERDOGS - LOVE'S GONE BAD


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While I'm at it, I can't resist adding this video of my band (The Bang Girl Group Revue) performing 'Love's Gone Bad". That's my lovely wife Angeline taking the lead vocals, and I'm on guitar.

THE CONQUISTADORES - SADNESS AND MADNESS

Produced by the great Monk Higgins, all I know about the group is that they were from Chicago and perhaps this was their only record. And what a fine record it is!

Showing a strong influence from the Impressions in their lovely harmony work and overall groove, The Conquistadores are yet another group lost in the soul talent pool of the day.

I simply adore the relaxed but propulsive groove on this track, capped off with excellent lyrics and a fantastic group vocal performance. If it doesn't get you on first listen, spin it again; it's a subtle and beautiful track.

from c1967...

THE CONQUISTADORES - SADNESS AND MADNESS



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THE UGLY DUCKLINGS - NOTHIN'

This Canadian group shows that they were most definitely picking up pointers from their English brothers (The Who, Pretty Things, and especially The Yardbirds) on their debut record, which I would file under one of the greatest debut 45's in all of garage rock. These guys could PLAY, and the intensity level of the record is set to STUN. Plus, it's a great SONG, as well.

Not for the faint of heart.

from 1966...

THE UGLY DUCKLINGS - NOTHIN'




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MITTY COLLIER - GIT OUT

If this song doesn't dig its claws into you within the first ten seconds, I would seriously question why you're here. This is one of those tracks that causes the listener to completely buckle under the pressure of the monumental nature of the groove; you either bow to its glory OR ELSE.

While I have a handful of other enjoyable Mitty Collier records, this one is running on something akin to nitro fuel.

Sadly, Mitty's career (which began after her discovery in 1959, and was signed to Chess in 1961) was derailed by polyps on her vocal chords, discovered in 1971. Currently, she is a church pastor.

from 1967...

MITTY COLLIER - GIT OUT



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