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

Oh, man…I was prompted to put this song up here because Snaiboy’s last track reminded me of it.  A funny thing happened along the way though - I learned how amazing the story behind the woman is.  She was married to Hugh Masekela (one of my favorites), cut a record with Harry Belafonte, and was on the Cosby show, not to mention the role she played in the anti-apartheid movement.  Amazing…thank you broblog!  Here I was thinking it was just a cool song to get the weekend going with.

Welcome to full on summer!  These guys (The Paragons) were best known for the song “The Tide Is High” later covered by Blondie.  There is nothing I’d rather listen to as I reclaim my neglected back yard.  You’re wwwelcome!

I’m BACK!!  My buddy Sean (Claude Money) turned me onto this track last time we DJed Soul-le-lu-jah together.  It’s a scorcher!!  I’ve had it in my head for 3 weeks straight.

ARTIST: Wilson Pickett
SONG: Mini Skirt Minnie 
LABEL: Atlantic

I had a hard time finding out much info on this track (what with the huge “branding iron porn” community) but I’ve been super into this one recently.  But I digress…If soul bands had conductors and the Rza had a father I would have spent days trying to find out if this was him.  The beats and horns are all over the place, yet always seem to be in the right place at the right time…and tight…and out of sight?  Can you believe how deep I’m being?  Me either.  You should probably just hit play..It’s a Stax/Volt jam, so you know it’s good.

ARTIST:  Branding Iron
SONG:  Right, Tight and Out of Sight
YEAR:  1970
LABEL: Volt
PRODUCER: Soul Productions