Funky - Chamber Brothers

The Chamber Brothers are most known for their hit 'Time Has Come Today'. Unfortunately, most listeners, myself included for many years, confused them with the Rolling Stones. The four Mississippi brothers (plus one white drummer) definitely had southern soul roots, but I was surprised to also learn of their friendship with Pete Seeger and participation with the Newport Folk Festival.

Anyway, 1970's 'Funky' is decidedly not folky, not in the slightest. It's an unconventionally groovy, goodtime track that's been on my crate digging radar for some time. Enjoy.


Funky

Funky Like A Train - The Equals

Before rocking down to Electric Avenue, Eddy Grant fronted a reggae cross-over band named The Equals. They released several blogworthy singles, but right now 1976's 'Funky Like A Train' is the song that keeps clanking around the tracks in my head. All aboard!


Funky Like A Train

It Must Be Love - Labi Siffre

The first time I felt compelled to collect music was after listening to Madness in 1981. I treasured my first childhood 45s, 'Our House' and 'It Must Be Love'. I may have even slept with them, very delicately. No stuffed animals for this kid! It wasn't until decades later that I discovered Labi Siffre's version from 1971. There's no ska horns, runaway funeral processions, big birds or killer whales, but I love the original ballad just the same. Enjoy.


It Must Be Love


Notice Labi's cameo towards the end of the video?

I Want Some B/W Darling, Darling I Love You - Johnny Soul

What a cracking good slab of double-sided vinyl! Seems like every song on Groovy Rotations is either about gettin' some, wantin' some or keepin' some. This 1970 release from Johnny Soul is no exception. Both sides are rootsy northern soul numbers, somewhat reminiscent of Otis Redding. Enjoy!


I Want Some


Darling, Darling I Love You

You Could Have Been A Lady B/W Bad Side Of The Moon - April Wine

There's nothing overly sophisticated about April Wine's Hot Chocolate and Elton John covers. It's just straight up classic rock with a Bachman-Turner Overdrive vibe. Do all Canadian rock bands sound so interchangeably similar? Just asking. Regardless, this double-sided serving of seventies rock....well, rocks.

 

You Could Have Been A Lady 

Bad Side Of The Moon 

Hot Chocolate's YCHBAL was a disco hit worthy of hot pants and and expressive facial hair.

The Tide Is High - The Paragons

Thirteen years before Blondie introduced "The Tide Is High" to a new wave audience it was a relatively obscure rocksteady single from John Holt's mighty Paragons. The original 45 dates back to 1967 and this Treasure Isle reissue certainly reveals the dodgy recording technology of that era. However, if you're anything like me you'll find the hep harmonies and sweet violin solo more than make up for any technical shortcomings. Enjoy.


The Tide Is High

Mr. Fix It Man - Sisters Love

"Mr. Fix It Man" was on heavy rotation on my turntable years ago. Sisters Love comprises of former Ray Charles backup singers, the Raelettes. The most famous ex-Raelette was Merry Clayton, who's powerhouse vocals are featured on The Rolling Stones "Gimme Shelter". Anyway, enjoy this 1972 single and if you're feeling like a second helping of sister soul power check out Merry Clayton's solo work, or anything by the funktastic Jackson Sisters.



Mr. Fix It Man

Sister Merry's take on "Gimme Shelter" rivals Mick Jaggers.