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

Dang. Can’t. Seem. To. Update. Broblog. Regularly. *sigh*

Oh well. Hopefully this will help make things right. Listen up peoples as ol’ Abner explains…

From the Subliminal Sounds! reissue:

Abner Jay was raised laying on his belly, drinkin’ water from the old Swaunee River. Jay claims the secret for his good health and being the father of 16 young ‘uns, and gonna git some more, is layin on his belly drinkin’ water from that ol Swaunee River.

Artist: Abner Jay
Album: Swaunee Water And Cocaine Blues
Year: 197X
Label: Subliminal Sounds! | Anthology Recordings

Yr best bet appears to be Anthology Recordings

Hey team! I’m back in action after a looooong summer-imposed timeout. What can I say? I had shit to do. Get off my back already! Anyway, here’s something to make up for my delinquency.

Crabby Appleton were an L.A. band who made it big with this li’l ditty back in 1970… and never saw chart success again. But hey they got to hang with Sly so I’m thinking it was all worth it.

This is their big cut “Go Back”. I’m posting it here ‘cuz the drums / drummer is ruling and, well, that’s pretty much all it takes to get me psyched these days. It’s a nice slab of pop/rock/psych/garage/arentgenresdumb?/hottness. Enjoy!

Artist: Crabby Appleton
Album: S/T
Year: 1970
Label: Elektra

Amazon has the MP3s & CD

The SnailBoy clued me into this AMAZING collection of horrors and I figured I’d take the opportunity to launch a new sporadic series over here on the Broblog. For now we’ll call it “What Up Internet?” because I ran out of good ideas back in ‘02 and I’m done trying.

Anyway, the aim is to share some of the better stuff we run across online while digging for lost aural treasure. We’ll roll it all up for you once a week (roughly) every Thursday (or so) and in the process (hopefully) turn you on to some great stuff.

With those formalities out of the way, I am proud to present:

The Wall of Bone

Brought to you by the fine folks over at Waxidermy. Enjoy!