1. REUBEN & THE CHAINS-"Answer These Questions" Peacock 1938 1965
Starting out with some bluesy guitar licks this number incorporates some strong harmonies amid a mid tempo soulful delivery with some great call and response vocals forging a bridge between doo wop and uptempo soul/r&b.
https://youtu.be/PEAURs8T0g0?si=SXzxk4_UJS9Cq3_U
2. TEDDY AND THE FINGERPOPPERS-"Soul Groove Pt. 1 (&2)" Arctic 143 1968
Starting with some deep bass evolving into a party atmosphere with crowd noises, a deep bass/drums lock on the groove and wailing vocals this number is a non stop party that's so catchy they couldn't contain it on just one side!
https://youtu.be/9p240MMpoAY?si=q5wWPAkFfYlvjw4H
3. SAM BUTERA-"Love Bandit" Coliseum 45-2710 1968
Louie Prima sideman Sam "The Man" Butera get's "with it" and cut this interesting take on Johnny "Guitar" Watson's love bandit and proves that at 41 you can still be funky! The kitschy female backing vocals sweeten the deal, though Sam can barely keep it together for laughing through most of it. Where Las Vegas meets Muscle Shoals....
https://youtu.be/ZAdNYk-bVzs?si=zhBt2ODFJ7RWOfrl
4. BABY HUEY & THE BABY SITTERS-"Monkey Man" St. Lawrence 1002 1965
Not to be confused with The Maytall's number of the same name this number is 1/3 frat rock (dig the combo organ and Kingsmen style guitar chord progressions), 1/3 soul and 1/3 gritty rock n' roll (that guitar solo is PURE Dave Davie's '64 vamping). Wild!
https://youtu.be/JDSmPRQPWGw?si=PYT7-JYNNQOHX3PJ
5. FREDDIE SCOTT-"Run Joe" Shout S-220 1967
One of my favorite Freddie Scott 45's is this killer version of Louis Jordan's "Run Joe" (covered by Stranger Cole two years prior). It's full on "party" atmosphere with lots of "audience participation/exhortations" adds to the mood of this full tilt 100 mph stormer with hard hitting drums, horns and stride piano.
https://youtu.be/DGZtuvzlTOc?si=bYz323vz6fHbPQtq
6. EDDIE HOLMAN-"You Know That I Will" Parkway P-106 1966
Eddie Holman has a slew of amazing mid 60's releases and this is probably my favorite. The incredible music backing has a heavy Motown slant with hard hitting drums and bluesy piano propelling Eddie's high falsetto notes adding to it's dance floor accessibility.
https://youtu.be/uEKecYyFGuk?si=QqLNbH0Kv7FF97l
7. CHOKER CAMPBELL'S BIG BAND-"Come See About Me" Motown M-1072 1964
This stunner of an instrumental reading of the Supremes hit "Come See About Me" is interesting because it sounds like the basic track for the original but with multiple layers of extra horns that give it an almost house band orchestra meets marching band feel. Kitschy without being campy!
https://youtu.be/8ifPmayUzVw?si=7wdMHh8OQjlqEtYM
8. ALBERT WASHINGTON AND THE KINGS-"You Gotta Pay Your Dues" Fraternity 1967
This slow burner (with guitar care of Lonnie Mack) has a beautiful churchy Hammond with some wonderful bluesy licks and a soulful Gospel vocal delivery that brings to mind Sam & Dave meets Larry Williams and Johnny "Guitar" Watson adds to the full on "soul testimonial" delivery.
https://youtu.be/wwZp_ruyW_A?si=91niIhH8tj0E5UpK
9. DEE EDWARDS-"You Say You Love Me" Tuba 1706 1963
This number reminds me a lot of Mary Well's "The One Who Really Loves You" but with some cool high falsetto backing vocals and an interesting backing with some kitschy organ, congas and a muted "lounge soul" feel. Priceless.
https://youtu.be/IKqGE9gc5EI?si=W3strWm_vaFRQCyk
10. TY HUNTER-"Bad Loser" Chess 1893 1964
This underrated mid tempo smoker b-side falls somewhere between a sophisticated Ben E. King side (dig the slick brass arrangement) meets the soulful sides of the early Radiants (especially the backing vocals when they hit the falsettos).
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