Oh please oh please oh please… just gimme just one more chance!

Live from Rahway Correctional in lovely New Jersey… The Escorts!

The Escorts were the brainchild of producer George Kerr. I’m short on time so I’m just gonna quote the group’s official bio from over here:

Originally, I didn’t feel like going but once I was in the prison and I heard all these musicians, I liked what I saw. I remember turning to my wife and telling her I thought it would be great to record the group. She thought I was out of my mind and that I was never going to get it done. I started talking to the prison warden and explained that I was a professional record producer and he had the same reaction.

and…

After the album came out, we got all these letters from people who wanted to see them. I went back to the Superintendent of Prisons and asked if we could do a show…” With much negotiation and with thirty policemen on duty to ensure security, The Escorts performed at Newark Symphony Hall, shackled on the way to and from the venue but clad in tuxedos and dress shoes for the show, which was a sell-out and major success.

The original lineup featured on this album: Reggie Haynes, Lawrence Franklin, Robert Arrington, William Dugger, Stephen Carter, Frank Heard, and Marion Murphy.

Artist: The Escorts [Myspace]
Album: All We Need is Another Chance
Year: 1973
Label: Alithia Records

Here’s one I’ve been meaning to post for a while now. These internets tell me Ellington Jordan (AKA Fugi) was a songwriter based in Detroit during the late 60’s. Fresh out of the clink, he scored a big ol’ hit with Etta James on the “I’d Rather Go Blind” cut. Sometime later, he was introduced to the band Black Merda (+) by Temptations singer Eddie Kendricks. They got together and laid down an album’s worth of mind-blowing blackrock which was promptly shelved by their label (anyone else notice a pattern? It’s like the new “platinum”). Blah, blah, blah… ancient history… irrelevant context… etc.

None of that shit really matters. All you need to know is that these stone-cold brothers cut some of the grittiest funk/rock/fuzz known. Take a listen. Tell me I’m wrong.

Artist: Fugi
Album: Mary, Don’t You Take Me On No Bad Trip
Year: 1968
Label: Chess / Cadet

EPIC! TUESDAYS!

Ok friends, I’m digging myself out of a pile of work here so forgive the brevity of my comments. This one more or less speaks for itself though… and I think you’ll agree it is sufficiently EPIC!

It’s worth noting that my bromie Fingers originally brought this cut into my world (I will forever be indebted).

Artist: Minnie Riperton
Album: Come to My Garden
Label: GRT
Year: 1970

Amazon has the MP3s & CD.

EPIC! TUESDAYS!

Let’s just cut to the chase with this one shall we? 1st, I’m sorry. 2nd, yr welcome!

He’s sorta like a test pilot for the outer world…

For this week’s installment we have Irma Thomas updating and… expanding… upon (perhaps without the aid of prescribed meds?) her 1964 hit “Wish Someone Would Care.” Clocking in at a mammoth 12:30, imagine this is the soul “Sister Ray“… if only cuz that’d be awesome.

Anyway, get a pen and something to write on… this one packs all sorts of advice.

Artist: Irma Thomas [+] [+]
Album: In Between Tears
Production: Swamp Dogg
Year: 1973
Label: Fungus

GEMM has some vinyl fer ya!

“Naw man… I want the band dressed in fox hunt uniforms standing in front of the Taj Mahal underneath a giant rainbow sprouting from hats belonging to mimes with a sexy white girl on a horse jumping over it…”

“How many times do we have to go over this!?”

To my ears these are the brackish waters between the funk and the disco. Sure, we aren’t riding white horses in Studio54 yet but you can hear where things were headed. Still, “Let Me Ride” falls on the right side of the fence (sorry disco freaks) and keeps things funky.

Plus… Rainbow-Casting Mimes!

Artist: Bloodstone
Album: Unreal
Label: London
Year: 1974

Amazon has the MP3s.

I know, I know… I’m shredding whatever credibility I’ve built up over these last weeks… but… it’s…

EPIC! TUESDAYS!

So, ya know, suckit. I do what I want! Besides, I’m in good company.

I’m not sure how we could possibly get much more epic than this. Over 9mins of burnin’ rock funk dedicated to the praise of cheeba. God bless them geezers.

A few observations before sending you off: First, check the bassline starting around 3:07. If it goes BOOM, one is all you need kids. Second, notice how the kick drum has a sort of skip to it? That’s Don’s big move. Ol’ skipfoot Brewer. All the good acceptable Grand Funk tracks have that little flourish.

Artist: Grand Funk Railroad
Album: Grand Funk
Year: 1969
Label: Capitol

I’m pretty sure you can buy this anywhere they sell music beer. Especially truck stops in the Midwest.