Category Archives: Music Reviews

THE RELATIVES: The Electric Word

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THE RELATIVES The Electric Word (Yep Roc Records)

Psychedelic Gospel? YES PLEASE!

Founded in Dallas, Texas in 1970 by two brothers, Rev. Gean and Rev. Tommie West, The Relatives have been playing their special brand of Funky-Gospel for over 40 years. The band enjoyed some local success the 1970’s, releasing three singles and sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in Gospel and Soul as well as headlined their own shows.  Then in 1980 after a decade of playing gigs of all shapes and sizes the band members called it quits to focus on other parts of their lives.  Fortunately for us in 2009 the good people at Heavy Light Records re-released the band’s singles on the compilation Don’t Let Me Fall.  The album received very positive feedback and inspired the band to start performing live again.  Word soon got out about the band’s amazing live show and the group was booked into many of the top roots music festivals in America.  Now after a successful return to the stage that’s brought the band many new fans they’ve decided it’s time to head back to the recording studio and give the people a new studio record called, The Electric Word.

After listening to The Electric Word (Yep Roc) you probably wouldn’t be able to tell that this is The Relatives’ first release of new music in almost 40 years.  Produced and recorded by fellow Texan Jim Eno of the band Spoon, the band sounds just as powerful and soulful as ever.  As you’d expect, the bands vocal harmonies are spot on but what really sticks out about this recording is the power of the band!  On the tune Let Your Light Shine the bass and guitar are LOUD and up in the mix giving the tune a real psychedelic rock vibe (think Sly Stone meets Band of Gypsies).

Along with psychedelic rock the band also serves up a healthy dose of FUNK.  Things Are Changing and It’s Coming Up Again both have a great James Brown/O.V. Wright vibe and Speak To Me (What’s Wrong With America?) is a beautiful civil-rights balled that shows off the bands true vocal power.  The band may not be re-inventing the wheel with it’s songwriting but that really doesn’t matter. This album’s purpose is to get you out to see the band on-stage where they really shine. Which is exactly what you should do if these guys pass through your town.

 

CHARLES BRADLEY & THE MENAHAN STREET BAND

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Charles Bradley “Victim Of Love” Daptone/Dunham Records

If you’ve every heard Charles Bradley you know he’s the real deal.  From his James Brown like scream to his energetic stage show Mr. Bradley doesn’t just sing Soul music he LIVES IT. For those who aren’t aware, Charles Bradley was discovered while working as a James Brown impersonator in clubs around Brooklyn, New York when he caught the ear of Daptone Records co-founder Gabriel Roth.  He released his debut album, NO TIME FOR DREAMING, in 2011 at the age of 63 after a lifetime of playing clubs and working odd jobs to make ends meet.   The album was a success and sent Mr. Bradley on tour across the U.S., Europe, and Canada. Now at an age when most artists are slowing down the big man returns with a new album entitled VICTIM OF LOVE, his second release for Dunham/Daptone Records.

VICTIM OF LOVE finds Mr. Bradley again backed by Menahan Street Band, a group of  young but seasoned players that co-wrote NO TIME FOR DREAMING with him.  The album’s gritty sound isn’t much different then Mr. Bradley’s first release but as they say, if it ain’t broke why try to fix it?  Mr. Bradley screams and shouts as he tells the listener about the ups and downs of real life and the band is tight while still sounding human.  Tunes like “Strictly Reserved For You”, “Love Bug Blues” and “Where Do We Go From Here?” are perfectly suited for Mr. Bradley’s voice and could have sounded right at home on his last album.   “You Put The Flame On Me” is an upbeat shuffle that is reminiscent of early Al Green and the title track “Victim of Love” is a beautiful love song that will become a slow dance classic.  All that being said, the money-shot on this album is the album’s closer “Through The Storm”.  On this balled Mr. Bradley offers thanks to those who’ve helped him through the hard times.  If you’ve ever seen him perform live you know that on many occasions he ends the show by walking into the crowd and hugging members of the audience.  It’s no surprise that a song of hope and love would be the song to end the second album. Here’s hoping Mr. Bradley will be around for a long time to come.

 

 

 

 

FUNKY SOUL: THREE ESSENTIAL COLLECTIONS!

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Funk and Soul music has always been a large part of my music collection.  My first exposure to Funk, Jazz, and Soul came through my High School band director Dr. Van Decker.  While most other school bands in the area did the marching band thing we played music by Herbie Hancock, James Brown, and Thelonious Monk.  Inspired by the music we learned about in class, I would often head to my local record store (Lou’s Record Shop in Encinitas, CA) after school and pick up albums so I could hear the original version of the song we were learning in class.  At first listen most of the grooves on these original recordings sounded simple but when you paid attention you could hear all the little nuances that really made the tune move. While I’ve always preferred Funk to Jazz it was playing in my High School Jazz band that introduced me to Funk music. So, thank you Jazz. If it wasn’t for you I would’ve never discovered how funky this world could be.

Here are some of my favorites… Play ’em loud and enjoy!

SATURDAY NIGHT FISH FRY: NEW ORLEANS FUNK AND SOUL 

Label: SOUL JAZZ RECORDS

This record from the good folks at SOUL JAZZ RECORDS is a great mix of funk, soul, and gospel from a group of artists that can only be described as New Orleans royalty.  Besides tracks from popular artists like Dr. John, Lee Dorsey, and Irma Thomas this album contains some great b-sides from lesser know musicians like Eddie Bo, Eldridge Holmes, and Betty Harris. While these artists created some of the most soulful funk to ever come out of New Orleans they unfortunately never achieved stardom (at least on a level that they deserved) nationally.  The stand out track for me on this record is “Pass The Hatchet” by Roger & The Gypsies.  This tune was produced by famed New Orleans musician Eddie Bo, (who also sings lead on the track) and became the first hit for the indie Seven-B label. Listen up drummers, this song is a perfect example of how a simple drum beat and a little melody can go a long way.  If I have one complaint about this release it’s that it is currently out of print and doesn’t seem to be on iTunes or Spotify as of this posting (although some of the tracks are available on other releases).  I came across my copy a few years ago digging through the $1.99 used bin at a local record store.  Let this be a lesson to ALWAYS check the bargain bin when shopping for records.

 

 

THE FUNKY 16 CORNERS

Label: STONES THROW RECORDS

Released in 2001 by Stones Throw Records, The Funky 16 Corners  features a hefty helping of unreleased funky music recorded during the 60’s and 70’s.   All the tracks on this record are solid and the stories behind the music are just as moving as the music.  If you purchase this release on-line I highly suggest you check out www.stonesthrow.com to read the interviews with the artists that were collected during the formation of this disc.  For example, one of the groups featured on this disc is The Kashmere Stage band.  This was the school band for Kashmere High School in Houston Texas.  In the late 1960’s music director Conrad Johnson took the school’s struggling music program to a new level.  After introducing new arrangements and letting the kids inject some of their own style in the group The Kashmere Stage band started winning numerous awards and competitions.  They traveled all over the country breaking down barriers in many of the places they played (Kashmere H.S. was predominantly black and most of the school band competitions they entered were made up of all white groups). For more information on the story behind the Kashmere Stage Band check out the documentary film THUNDER SOUL.

 

 

Searching For Soul: Rare and Classic Soul, Funk, and Jazz from Michigan

Label: Luv N’ Haight/Ubiquity

The album Searching For Soul: Rare Classic Soul, Funk, and Jazz from Michigan shows us that there is so much more to the Mid-West Soul scene then Motown.   Soul/Funk/Hip-Hop drummers, this record should be in your collection right next to your James Brown records. From the lead track “Give & Take” to Wendell Harrison’s swinging’ “Take Time Out” this record will have you up and moving like you never knew you could. Additionally, it should also be mentioned that the track “Alcohol Pt.1” by Robert Jay is the perfect “morning after” song.

(UPDATE 2021) This record is out of print but you can still enjoy this music on-line on Spotify.

 

 

Charles Bradly & The Menahan Street Band “No Time For Dreaming”

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CHARLES BRADLEY & THE MENAHAN STREET BAND “No Time For Dreaming”

“No Time For Dreaming” is more than an album, it’s an autobiography about Charles Bradley.  Without being preachy, Mr. Bradley and The Menahan Street Band combine soulful music along with larger than life vocals to tell the story of a man who had to work against the odds his whole life.

This is a real soul album done by real soul musicians.  Although the band is tight and knows what they’re doing the real story here is the voice of Charles Bradley.. You can really feel the pain in Mr. Bradley’s voice when he cries out to society to change it’s values on the tunes “Golden Rule” and “The World (Is Going Up In Flames)”.  That being said, the most heartfelt vocal performance on this album might be on the track “How Long”.  Around the 3 minute mark Mr. Bradley lets out a Jay Hawkins-like scream that makes you wonder if he’ll survive this song!  This tune could only be sung by someone who has lived the life Charles Bradley has.

Born in Florida in 1948 and raised in Brooklyn NY, Mr. Bradley has spent the majority of his adult life on the road.  Usually having to travel by way of hitch hiking, he tried to find work and establish himself as a professional musician in a number of cities across the country before ending up in California.  After finding a steady job and playing gigs with pick-up bands Mr. Bradley thought he had finally found a place to call home. But as he was just about to put the down payment on his first house he was laid off from his job of 17 years. Frustrated but not accepting defeat, he gathered his belongings and returned to Brooklyn where he began performing as a James Brown impersonator in local night clubs.  Going by the stage name “Black Velvet” he wowed audiences with his amazing showmanship and impressive vocal abilities.  Now 51 years of age it seemed as if things were settling down for Mr. Bradley, but alas, this was not the case.  One morning, while staying at his mother’s house he awoke to devastating news that his brother had been murdered.

Mr. Bradley kept at it though. He continued to perform as Black Velvet and take care of his Mom. One night during one of his performances he was visited by Gabriel Roth of Daptone Records. It was soon thereafter that Mr. Bradley found himself in the Daptone Records studios recording his first single for the label “Take It As it Comes”.  Thus beginning a whole new chapter in life of Charles Bradley. Well done Charles! You’ve earned this.

UPDATE 2017: After several years of sold out concerts and a number of albums for Daptone the world lost Charles Bradley on September 23, 2017. While he is sorely missed by many all over the world his music continues to find new listeners and undoubtedly change lives.