JOHNNIE MAE MATTHEWS - LOVE HIDES ALL FAULTS

Johnnie Mae Matthews is one of the unsung heroes of Detroit music; as an early mentor to Berry Gordy, her influence ricocheted throughout r&b of the '60's, yet her name and the records she recorded are only known and cherished by a small group of soul fanatics.

Beginning her career as a member of a group called the Dapp's (not to be confused with the later Ohio white funk band with a James Brown connection), Johnnie Mae took a small chunk of money that her husband made at Ford Motor Company and started the Northern Recording Company. In effect, she became the first black woman to own a record label/ production company!

Johnnie Mae's first national success was as a co-writer of the incredible track "My Man- He's A Lovin' Man" which was 15 year old Betty LaVett(e)'s debut record in 1962.

This excellent side from Johnnie Mae is a collaboration with Joe Hunter, himself another architect of the Detroit sound. Hunter was the first Motown "Funk Brothers" pianist ('59-'64), and his defining licks on records such as "Heat Wave" (Martha & The Vandellas) are one of the key ingredients of the Motown sound.

from 1966...

JOHNNIE MAE MATTHEWS - LOVE HIDES ALL FAULTS

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THE ZAKARY THAKS - BAD GIRL

This young band (singer Chris Gerniottis was 15 at the time of this release!) from coastal Corpus Christi, Texas whips up an incredible fury on their debut single, heard here. This track has been one of the most loved songs featured on the "Pebbles" series of garage/punk/psych records; a series which began in 1979.

Strongly influenced by the rougher edged UK bands, The Thaks even had the distinct pleasure of opening for their heroes The Yardbirds around the time of this release, which was originally pressed by a local label and picked up for national distribution by Chicago's Mercury label.

from 1966...

THE ZAKARY THAKS - BAD GIRL




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THE APOLLAS - YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT b/w LOCK ME IN YOUR HEART

Beginning a string of fabulous records that never achieved the chart success that they truly deserved, The Apollas (Billie Barnum, Ella Jamerson, and Leola Jiles) were one of the greatest proponents of a "Motown west" kind of sound, captured perfectly out of the gate with this stellar debut record.

"You're Absolutely Right" is a storming kind of sound, and it's no surprise that my pal Alec Palao used it as the title of his recent Ace Records Apollas compilation.

With its rollicking beat and baritone sax solo, the b-side "Lock Me In Your Heart" has a strong Motown influence, and some truly sweet lyrics that melt my heart.

Trivia for fellow record collectors: yes, my (Canadian) copy is pressed on real vinyl, not styrene.

from 1965...

THE APOLLAS - YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT

b/w LOCK ME IN YOUR HEART


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BOBBY HEBB - EVIL WOMAN

Eight years after "Sunny" was a massive soul/pop crossover hit "Sunny" (and four years after his final release for a major label), Bobby Hebb came back on this record with a downright jaw-dropping sound. The group cooks up an infectious booglaoo funk track in which Bobby delivers a classic earthy, bluesy, and imminently soulful performance.

From Nashville, Bobby Hebb was the son of two blind musicians, and he and his brother began a life of performing when they were 3 and 9 years old, respectively. While Hebb never replicated the success of "Sunny", he was co-writer of Lou Rawls massive hit "A Natural Man" in 1971, and was also chosen by The Beatles to be an opening act on their '66 tour.

Most discographies on the web list a ? mark for the year of release of this record. Luckily, Google has the entire archive of Billboard magazine available to view on the web, where this blurb was found in the August 10, 1974 issue: "Bobby Hebb of "Sunny" fame opened Crystal Ball in Salem, MA. Debut release is "Evil Woman".

from 1974...

BOBBY HEBB - EVIL WOMAN


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THE GOOD FEELINS - I'M CAPTURED

Hailing from southern California's 'inland empire', the Good Feelins scored a huge local hit with this track, which, while picked up nationally by Liberty Records, never caught on nationally. Sadly, the Vietnam War splintered the group shortly after its release.

The song itself is one of those perfect blasts of energy which lasts less than two minutes, created by a group whose oldest member at the time was 21. It may be sloppily played, but what captures me is the enthusiasm and the heart behind the mistakes.

The group is seemingly active again today in their home turf.

from 1967...

THE GOOD FEELINS - I'M CAPTURED


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THE EMOTIONS - I CAN'T STAND NO MORE HEART ACHES

I'm a lover of harmony singing to the highest degree, and the Hutchinson sisters (Sheila, Wanda and Jeanette) outta Chicago consistently laid out some of the most divine (and in this case, serious stomp and ass kicking) harmonies ever cut to wax. There is simply NOTHING like the harmony blend of blood relations, and here, on their debut disc as the Emotions, the Hutchinson's completely blow it into the stratosphere.

And the real kicker? These young ladies were between 14-16 years old when they cut this record. Add to that whoever the musicians are playing on this track- these people put in a HEROIC performance.

Already, at this tender age they were BETTER than the majority of "singers" in this day and age that rely on autotune and cut 'n paste to put together a "performance".

Sometimes I think about why I get so excited about these records; the answer is simple. It's the REAL THING. Now pardon me while I listen to this jam for the 8th time in a row this morning.

from 1967...

THE EMOTIONS - I CAN'T STAND NO MORE HEART ACHES


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Retro Pop! DJ Sets

It was one Part fashion show, one part music and Retro Pop! added up to one big cultural celebration of the '60's, and it happened last night in San Jose, CA.

I had my little recorder running to capture my DJ sets; set 2 is (mostly) the soundtrack of the fashion show which is why you hear me spin partial songs among complete ones.

Anyhow, it was an amazing night, and I hope you enjoy these sets as much as I enjoyed spinning the wax.

Retro Pop 3/25/12 Set 1

Retro Pop 3/25/12 set 2

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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