“My mother tried to flush me. That’s how I learned to swim. She didn’t need a baby. No, she did it for a whim. My father was a junkie. A low-down dirty shame. He left my mother nothin’. And he didn’t leave me his name” from “Swim” by Jack Hammer.
Fire and Water…
Working our way back into funky stories including three Free songs. The group formed in London in 1968, after musician Paul Kossoff of the blues band Black Cat Bones saw a performance that included frontman Paul Rodgers. Free came into being once the duo joined up with musicians Simon Kirke and Andy Fraser. Listen to funky and soul versions of their best known tunes.
Ju Ju – Infernal Blues Machine
Despite the rather off putting name, the Infernal Blues Machine made a few really good soul ballads in the 70s – ones that don’t seem to have got the recognition they deserve. The band was a four piece band comprising Mike Cavanaugh on keyboards, Greg Middleton on bass (who write most of their best songs), Greg Parker on guitar, and Warren Ray on vocals.
Ghet-to Funk – Duracha
Duracha’s 1974 release “Ghet-to Funk” is beloved by record collectors for its crisp open drum break, while the A-side “Jody Is Gone” tells the story of a folk character who took advantage of one too many women whose husbands were away in the military.
Know What to Do When You Get It – The Genies
I’ll Say It Again – Sweet Linda Divine
Linda “Tui” Tillery is an American singer, percussionist, producer, songwriter, and music arranger. She began her professional singing career at age 19 with the Bay Area rock band The Loading Zone. As early as 1968, Tillery was performing as a solo artist around the Bay Area under the name Sweet Linda Divine. She signed with CBS Records and released her debut album titled Sweet Linda Divine in 1970. The album was produced by Al Kooper who also played piano, organ and horns on selected songs. Tillery provided lead vocals and played percussion on the recording, which garnered some enthusiastic reviews.
Wishing Well – Maggie Bell
Margaret Bell is a Scottish rock vocalist. She came to fame as co-lead vocalist of the blues-rock group Stone the Crows. Bell was also prominently featured as a guest vocalist on the song “Every Picture Tells a Story” (1971) by Rod Stewart. “Wishing Well ” is a song by Free. It was written by the entire group incl. John “Rabbit” Bundrick, Paul Kossoff, Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke and Tetsu Yamauchi.
Swim – Jack Hammer
Earl Solomon Burroughs better known by his stage name Jack Hammer, was a pianist, singer and songwriter probably best known as the co-writer with Otis Blackwell “Great Balls Of Fire”. In 1956 he made his first recording. He recorded albums on Warwick and Polydor, before moving to Europe.
Fire and Water – Wilson Pickett
The first song of the same titled third studio album by Free, released in 1970, covered by Master Pickett for Atlantic Records in 1972.
Peace Still Is With Us – Apollos Show Band
Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are) – The Temptations
A 1971 hit single for the Gordy (Motown) label, recorded by The Temptations and produced by Norman Whitfield. Something of an early ancestor to the “diss songs” prevalent in hip hop music towards the end of the 20th centur. The song is an attack at two former Temptations members, David Ruffin (who had been fired back in 1968) and Eddie Kendricks (who quit the act in early 1971 and negotiated a Motown solo deal).
All Right Now – Lea Roberts
Another Song written by Andy Fraser and Paul Rodgers from Free in 1970.
Lea Roberts released it on a single in 1975.
Woman (Shake Your Booty) – Etta James
“Etta Is Betta Than Evvah! ” an album by Etta James, released in 1976. It was her final studio album for Chess Records. Good uptempo dance cuts and midtempo groovers, songs that give enough space for Etta to be a good singer.
Stay Together – Soul Excitement
A band out of Newark, New Jersey. In 1969 The band recorded “Stay Together” and “Smile” at an unknown Studio in New York.
(Working My Way Back In) Funky Thing – The Unifics
The Unifics were an American soul group from Washington, D.C.. In 1966 a group of students at Washington D.C.’s Howard University in 1966 formed the group Al & the Vikings. Consisting of singer/songwriter Al Johnson, Tom Fauntleroy, Marvin Brown, Bob Hayes, and George Roland, the group changed its name during its first year to the Unique Five and later to the Unifics.
Get On Up And Dance – Eddie Harris
Eddie Harris had nearly as many voices as sax timbres — ranging from nasal, sly asides to electronically strangled yowls and even falsetto. But none of these Eddie Harrises, nor the spirited percussive help of Willie Bobo, could save the humdrum, mostly R&B-based material that he created for this album.
Twenty Five Miles – Edwin Starr
A song written by Johnny Bristol, Harvey Fuqua and Edwin Starr for Starr’s second album, “25 Miles” in 1969.
Super Guy (Flying High) – The Last Crusade
You’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive – Jimmy Helms
Jimmy served in the United States Army in the early-1960s, during which time he played in the Fort Jackson Army Band. After a move to Britain, and a switch to singing, he released several records with very little success, before signing with Cube Records in 1972. Helms continued to release during the 1970s, and 1980s, as well as guesting with the likes of Ben E. King and Gloria Gaynor. He was even involved in several rock-orientated projects, one of which was with Roger Glover. In 1987, he became a member of the dance act Londonbeat, with whom he has remained.
You’d Be Good for Me – Jeanette Jones
She had talent in abundance, and a voice that was a mixture of power, passion, emotion and sheer soulfulness. Sadly, Jeanette Jones’ recording career was all too brief. Jeanette Jones’ last recording session was in 1974, when she recorded a publishing demo for Barry Goldberg. Sadly, that was the last time she entered a recording studio. It was also the end of Jeanette Jones’ musical career. For Jeanette Jones, the dream was over.
I’ve Got That Feelin’ – Darrell Banks
Darrell Banks released two singles with Revilot Records in 1966, three singles and a full album with ATCO Records, then later two singles and a full album with Stax. He was shot and killed by off-duty policeman Aaron Bullock during a dispute with Banks’ girlfriend, Marjorie Bozeman!
Give & Take – Tommy McGee
Singer, organ player and label owner originally from Grand Rapids, MI. Founded the labels TMG Records and MTMG Records. Producer Palmer James began eyeing a branch line: Tommy Mcgee. The result was 1976’s “Positive-Negative ”, the creative apex in a career littered with endless bottoms. Gathered for the first time are Mcgee’s timeless album.
The Playlist
- Ju Ju – Infernal Blues Machine
- Ghet-to Funk – Duracha
- Know What to Do When You Get It – The Genies
- I’ll Say It Again – Sweet Linda Divine
- Wishing Well – Maggie Bell
- Swim – Jack Hammer
- Fire And Water – Wilson Pickett
- Peace Still Is With Us – Apollos Show Band
- Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are) – The Temptations
- All Right Now – Lea Roberts
- Woman (Shake Your Booty) – Etta James
- Stay Together – Soul Excitement
- Working My Way Back Into A Funky Thing – The Unifics
- Get On Up And Dance – Eddie Harris
- Twenty Five Miles – Edwin Starr
- Super Guy (Flying High) – The Last Crusade
- You’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive – Jimmy Helms
- You’d Be Good for Me – Jeanette Jones
- I’ve Got That Feelin’ – Darrell Banks
- Give & Take – Tommy McGee
Working our way back into a funky thing, icluding two Free cover songs. by Funkologie on Mixcloud