Download or Listen to The Rugbys – You, I from the Amazon 45

First off, just wanted to say “Thanks” for all the kind words in regards to Eilon Paz’s photographic profile/ interview over at Dust and Grooves. I didn’t realize that I had an impact so much in this bogged down blogosphere. Apparently, I do. Thanks again. My mailbox is full of goodies these past weeks, from Stones Throw to Brownswood, all of which will be coming up in post in the very near future. Today, however, here is a midweek treat I picked up on my trip down South. Troy from The Scorpio Brothers Sound System had this in a sale pile, and well, I couldn’t pass it up. In fact, it wasn’t expensive at all, so I thank you Troy for this little piece of goodness coming out of the Bluegrass State. It’s a little out of the box for Flea Market Funk, but as I’ve said before, if it’s Funky, I’m playing it. Here’s The Rugbys with “You, I” on Amazon Records from 1969.

The Rugbys formed in Louisville, Kentucky in 1965. The band consisted of Steve McNicol (guitar), Eddie Vernon (keyboards), Glen Howerton (drums), and Mike Hoerni (bass). Originally a cover band, they would go on to write original songs and in 1968 released “Walking The Streets Tonight” on Top Dog. The song was written by The Sir Douglas Quintet’s Doug Sahm. Another record was released, written McNicol entitled “Stay With Me”. This record charted locally, but it wasn’t until the flip side (this very record) caught on that the Rugbys started to gain some attention. The record went to number 24 on the Billboard charts, and for a few years the band toured with acts like Grand Funk and Bob Seger. A full length record, Hot Cargo, was released, but was met with lukewarm feelings, and didn’t really go anywhere.

Like I said, this record is a bit off base for me, but I had heard the song before (as the masses of Soul Strut swear by it). It never really has shown up in the field by me, so I figured what the hell. Basically a garage/ psych record, this side is funky as hell, with plenty of fuzzed out guitar, a kick ass drum beat (and drum break, even though it’s small), all to keep your attention for 2 minutes and 50 seconds. It still goes to show you that there is Funk in many things, even this Kentucky 45 of AM Gold. You never know where you’re gonna find it. Keep Diggin!

Download or Listen to Jake Wade & The Soul Searchers – Searching For Soul from the Mutt Records 45

Today’s post is going to be a bit short. You see, I’ve been working way too much. Along with my regular 9 to 5 gig, I’ve been DJing 2 to 3 extra times a week. Don’t get me wrong, I love it, but it’s been kicking my ass. This weekend I decided to take it easy a bit, and really do nothing except watch football during the day (my Liverpool played a horrible match against Stoke City, and the hopeful tie I wished for between Man U and Chelsea was dashed to bits by United’s 3 nil crushing of the Blues) and catch up on sleep. I’ve had this one on the burner for a while. Here’s Jake Wade and the Soul Searchers and “Searching For Soul” on Mutt Records.

I couldn’t dig up too much about the history of this record, other than Nate Dorr was the owner of Mutt Records, and it was located at 27316 Michigan Avenue in Inkster, MI. Jake Wade’s real name was Wade Washington. His band consisted of himself, JuJu aka Cornelious Johnson and an anonymous player on horns, and Miles Joseph and Chuck Middleton on guitars. Miles Joseph was not an original member, but was approached by JWATSS at the Ann Arbor Blues Festival around 1969 as he filled in for the missing guitar players for Albert King and Luther Allison. The band itself ran the Detroit circuit and backed up every major band that came through the area. Now this same band also went on to be another group, El Riot, after adding vocalist Roz Ryan. El Riot put out a side on the Mojo label called “Do It Right”. Originally called Riot, a not so smart manager had them put the “El” before it to avoid getting signed by Motown who had a band of that name already. Nice move my man. That’s how it goes though, and these two records will remain in the want lists of diggers and collectors for as long as breaks and rare grooves are collected. Some members of these bands went on to do some things musically. Cornelius Johnson still plays in Detroit, while Roz Ryan moved on to Broadway, movies, and television. Miles Joseph has also staye din music, playing as a sideman for notables such as Aretha Franklin. Now I know this record is not rare, and came to light recently when Beyonce sampled it on “Sugar Mama”. I was introduced to it a while ago, and was blown away by Short Kut when he massacred the record on the Brainfreeze DVD. YouTube that one, it’s nuts. Many thanks to Save 1 for selling me this thing a way back. Also shout out to the guys at Ubiquity for trying to help me out image wise, there are no pictures to be found of them. If anyone has a pic to contribute of this band or El Riot, feel free to contact me.

This record is a killer. Bangin’ drums, horns, a sweet bass line, Jake Wade and the Soul Searchers knew how to lay it down. Their DIY attitude was a great indication of just how much music that was under the radar at that time. Motown was a machine, but they weren’t the only ones making music. There is a great compilation put out by Luv ‘N Haight called Searching For Soul that illustrates my last point. Most of the music never really saw the light of day. It’s an unbelievable account of the Michigan music scene during the 60’s and 70’s. Highly recommended by FMF. Keep Diggin’!

Big things happened this past week, and there was finally a joint mix between Fleamarket Funk and The Devil’s Music. It’s a two part mix, so you will have to go on over to the Devil’s Music and get part 2. You may not know Devil Dick, he’s new to the blog game. Don’t let the NKOTB thing fool you. He’s got a secret stash of 45s hidden in South Jersey. He’s got more secret spots than me. They’re so secret I only get text messages about them or have to read about them later on his blog. When we first met, and he brought over his records, I knew instantly he had to be a part of the Asbury Park 45 Sessions. His crates are heavy, and if it’s super sweet Soul or some fuzzed out heavy guitar driven Funk, he’s your man. He can hold his own in the dirty Rock and Roll, Punk and Metal, and most of all Psych genre too. I’m waiting for him to drop a Psych mix, because I know it’s going to be sick.

So here you have it, the second two part mix of Fleamarket Funk. There are 20 songs in total, 10 a side. They range from heavy, fuzzy, Funk, to sweet, sweet, Soul, and lots inbetween. It’s all about the music in these mixes. Damn right it always is. We welcome Funk and Soul 45s of all kinds, and you’ll get a lot of that in both parts of these mixes. It’s one of the most fuzzed out funky collaborations I’ve done so far. So sit back and relax, put on your headphones, and check out That’s Heavy Old Man!!: Raw Funk and Soul 45s. This time Fleamarket Funk Meets the Devil’s Music, and I’m sure you’re gonna love it.

Tracklist for Part 1: DJ Prestige and Devil Dick

Iron Knowledge – Show Stopper/ Tammy
Willie Gresham & the Free Food Ticket – Step By Step/ Majesty
Donny Hathaway – The Slums/ ATCO
Timothy McNeely – K.C. Stomp/ Shawn
Sound Experience – 40 Acres and A Mule/ Soulville
The Impacs – Good Old Funky Feelin’/ Land
The Brothers Three - Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out/ T-Neck
Timmy Thomas – Cold Cold People/ Glades
Rare Earth - I Know I’m Losing You/ Rare Earth
Ethics – Think About Tomorrow/ Vent

Download or Listen To: Flea Market Funk Meets The Devil’s Music: That’s Heavy Old Man!! Part 1

Go to The Devil’s Music and get Flea Market Funk Meets The Devil’s Music: That’s Heavy Old Man!! Part 2

Keep Diggin’!

Soul Tornadoes - Funky Thang from the Burt Records 45

As the playlists and mp3s come in from Friday night’s Asbury Park 45 Sessions, I can agree with Larry over at Funky 16 Corners that the night was probably one of, if not the best session we had since it’s inception. The people, the music, and of course the venue was great. I caught a little flack for my merc of London suit and fedora, but a guy has to look fly once in a while. Also, I got word that we are now listed in the Tools of War – The Grass Roots of Hip Hop newsletter. Watch out for the 45 Sessions kids, we’re catching on! This week is going to be short for me, as I will be taking a short break from my massive pace of posts since March. I’ll have a post for you this fine Monday morning, and another one for Wednesday, but will be back the following Monday. By then I’m hoping to get some scores out of state, so keep your fingers crossed for me. I know mine will be, and ye olde Fisher Price portable will hopefully get a good workout. I got this record at my spot, and of course it was in FMF fashion, drama and comedy filled. Mario Brothers aka Meatball parted with this side, but not without a fight. His sand filled metal 45 box, fresh with scratched Northern Soul sides (“This record was in Stinkie Steve’s Northern Soul guide for 75 pounds”, he’d quip) produced this Midwest gem, and I scooped it up. The label is misprinted, spelling out Soul Toranodoes, and to be honest with you, I just discovered it tonight. I’ve been waiting to get to this record, “Funky Thang” by the Soul Tornadoes on Burt Records. So let’s go to “Rubbertown”, Akron, Ohio, for some middle America Funk.

The Heller twins (not really twins but given that nickname), Charles and Bobby were destined to be in the entertainment business. From the early days of their youth, their mother Lurlene had the”Twistin’ Twins” performing before National Acts at the Hi-Hat Club, and even dancing before the Godfather of Soul, James Brown would take the stage. Encouraged by their mother, who bought them a Hammond B-3 and a drum kit, the Heller boys started to hone their craft. It didn’t hurt that their mother was responsible for guys like Jimmy Smith and Brother Jack McDuff eating her home cooked meals and sleeping at their house when they were in town to play the Hi Hat Club. These boys learned from the pros. They would go on to form a trio (the original Soul Tornadoes), but added a new guitarist James ‘Boots” Smith, and bassist Bruce Martin shortly thereafter. With Charles on the drums, and Bobby on the B3, the Soul Tornadoes started to rip up music like a twister through a trailer park. They signed with Ernest Burt, who owned Burt Records (also Magic City,Mello, Sock-It, and Hello World) and Magic City Studios in Detroit, Michigan. Magic City was close to Hitsville, USA, and they definitely rubbed shoulders with many Motown greats (rumor has it bassist James Jamerson stole a ST riff and used it on Edwin Starr’s “25 Miles”), and even had a chance to sign with the Detroit label. Fate would not let them, as they were locked into a contract they couldn’t get out with Burt. Unfortunately the Soul Tornadoes would see one tragedy after another, whether it be shady dealings in the music industry (their tunes being put out without their knowledge, subsequently not getting paid for said record), death of band members, a royal diss from James Brown (he thought “Go For Yourself” was a straight up rip off of “Cold Sweat”), or disaterous tours. They couldn’t catch a break. Some of the band members (Charles) found their way out to LA to play with Lakeside, only to face more adversity and frustration. They also backed up the Soul singers Jackie Beavers, Jackie Moore, and Jackie Wilson, even going as far to play a gig with Curtis Mayfield. It seemed though, it was destiny that they were to not succeed.

They recorded this record in 1969, supposedly in one session, and it really smokes. It’s a bit more down tempo than the James Brown inspired (copied?) “Go For Yourself”, but the guitar work of Boots really shines. This guitar driven track is fun-kay as hell, while Charles’s Hammond chops like some kind of Judo move throughout the duration of the side. Definitely more on the slower of the Tornadoes songs, it’s still a dusty keeper. We’re fortunate that Jazzman Gerald dug up and reissued this side some 30 years plus after the original was recorded. I’m lucky to have dug up this Midwest slice of goodness here in the Garden State. I’ll see you here midweek. Keep Diggin’!