Here's some funky barrelhouse blues from 1969. "It's A Hang-Up Baby" features the legendary Azrell, or Z.Z. Hill spilling his guts to a mixed-messaged woman. It's one hard pleadin' blues track, and one of my personal favorites as well. Enjoy.
A Washington DC native by way of North Carolina and New York, Milt Matthews funky soul stylings were criminally overlooked by US audiences back in the 1970s. After two full length albums and a string of uncharted singles Milt left the music industry to pursue his passion for Gospel. He eventually opened a recording studio for aspiring musicians, and currently manages the Milt Matthews Foundation for the Homeless in Landover Maryland. http://www.mrmfoundation.org/
Jimmy Bee played with numerous 50s and 60s doo-wop and soul acts throughout his career. Perhaps the most notable was being part of the acclaimed Johnny Otis Show and providing backing vocals on "Willie And The Hand Jive". He recorded only one full LP entitled Live back in 1973. I'm normally not crazy about live records, or bootlegs for that matter, however after heeding the romantic advice of "The Outside Man" I made this one exception. Enjoy.
Southern soul diva Doris Allen and her main duet partner Big John Hamilton cover the Buddy Miles song "Them Changes" on this maxi-single from 1970. With its fuzzy guitar, crashing drums, heavy horns and screaming vocal exchanges I believe this version rivals the original (seen below), and that's saying a lot.
Here's a really cute and funky 45 from Kenny Seymour off Atlanta's Shout label. It's one of only two singles that he released back in 1973-74. The record's flipside ,"Whistle, I'll Come Running", is another silly track worth seeking out. Enjoy.