RSG classic albums #2 - Roots

Curtis Mayfield

Roots (Curtom 1971)

Curtis Mayfield. Spiritualist, Preacher man, Soul Saviour, Funkateer: Curtis Mayfield's 'Roots' captures all of these labels so consistently across seven engrossing tracks. From the dirty, funky grooves of 'Get Down' and 'Underground' to the inspirational message songs like, 'Keep On Keeping On' and 'We Got To Have Peace'.

From his early work with the Impressions to his solo work and beyond, his back catalogue is not short on highlights. He wrote and produced hundreds of tracks for other artists and influenced thousands more. His work covered all bases from northern soul, blaxploitation soundtracks, funk and soulful ballads to gospel and social politics. Classic Curtis Mayfield tracks are blessed with a sweet, soothing falsetto voice and sublime orchestrated production courtesy of arranger Johnny Pate.

'Roots' was recorded in Curtis' home town of Chicago at RCA studios along with his current road band and assistance from regular arrangers Riley Hampton and Johnny Pate. The funky club bound groove of 'Get Down' opens the album in fine style. 'Keep On Keeping On' is an inspirational anthem with a strong message about the importance of education and the effects it can have on changing future generations. It's also got a great feel good vibe and speaks of self determination, about not giving up and battling on against the odds. The song title is a phrase oft repeated by Soul fans along with 'Keep the faith' as a sign of solidarity and strength or to describe their unwavering passion for Soul music.

'Underground' returns to a funky mode and talks about pollution and the destruction of the planet at the hands of powerful multinationals. In these times of global warming it's a tale that remains eerily prophetic. As a social commentator, Mayfield's finger was always on the pulse and the anti-war sentiments of 'We Got To Have Peace' are as bold and relevant as ever today. Despite the heavy tones of the subject matter, Mayfield's true skills can be found in the music which always remained freshly sophisticated and uplifting.

'Beautiful Brother Of Mine' talks about black pride. It is one of the many tracks Curtis wrote to specifically to reach out and inspire America's disenchanted black youth. The album closes with two love songs. 'Now You're Gone' is reminiscent of his early Impressions sides but better still is the majestic 'Love To Keep You In My Mind'.

Listen and weep to the perfect melodic twists and turns of the album's closer, 'Love To Keep You In My Mind', a perfect example of Curtis at his understated best. The production is breathtakingly simple and poignant. Swirling strings and a steady complimentary brass arrangement are harmoniously stitched together by the voice of an angel.

Released in 1971 at a time of social change and political unrest the album perfectly captures the spirit of the times with message songs that still resonant today. Mayfield's social commentary is as relevant now as it was back when it was recorded. Soul music was changing too by the dawn of the seventies. The Motown sound would be shaken up by Marvin Gaye's 'What’s Goin On' released the same year. James Brown funk was getting dirtier and Mayfield too, was soon to become a purveyor of the new funk sound that would be the soundtrack of the American urban underground.

Love songs or message songs, the songs of Curtis Mayfield penetrate deep into the conscience without any noticeable force. Grace and dignity over shouting and screaming was Mayfield's preferred trait. The message still hits home hard.

Curtis didn't approve of the album title or the awkward looking portrait on the cover but I feel time has proved that 'Roots' is a worthy word as it captures the depth and importance of Curtis' work. The slightly dated cheesy cover also adds a light paradox to the deeper contents it hides from the unsuspecting listener.

'Roots' can be found on a twofer CD on 'Sequel Records' backed with the equally superb 'Sweet Exorcist' from 1974 or on it’s own in all physical formats. Buy this album today! The clip below, shows Curtis singing 'We Got To Have Peace' is taken from the Old Grey Whistle Test TV show.

My Favourite 45 by Pete Collison, The Fantastics!

THE FANTASTICS! are the latest UK nu-funk sensations featuring Greg Boraman (Hammond Organ & Electric Piano), Pete Collison (Guitar), Raydn Hunter (Bass), James Rule (Drums) along with Mark Norton (Sax & Flute) and Matt Wilding (percussion). They have enlisted soul singer Noel Mckoy to sing on a couple of tracks on their new album including a stomping funky update on the Small Faces, ‘I Can’t Dance With You’.

You may remember the band from their previous incarnation as the Rev Cleatus & The Soul Saviours and you may have heard them on Craig Charles Funk and Soul radio show recently. Their debut album ‘Mighty Righteous’ is released on March 9th on Freestyle Records.

Guitarist Pete Collison took time out to contribute to our ever growing ‘My Favourite 45’ collection and came up with this funky take of the Carole King penned classic, ‘I Feel The Earth Move’.

Ivan 'Boogaloo Joe' Jones
I Feel the Earth Move (Prestige)

“Why is this my favourite 45? Well, for starters there's a few things that made me know I'd like it before I'd even put it on my turntable; that classic Prestige pointy arrow logo being one, and the knowledge of Bernard Purdie sitting behind one of the great Prestige "bands" being another. Then of course there was the fact that Boogaloo Joe would be letting rip with some sort of finger slashing blues somewhere”.

“The first time I played this 45 I was in that fortunate position of never having heard the tune before, which made it even better. By the time Joe had finished that solo I was (and still am) knocked out cold, and I'm still banned by my girlfriend from listening to it whilst driving! There's a load of influences in there , but it's Joe's own rapid fire take on the blues that gets me every time I hear him - gets me everytime!! Then there’s that Hammond solo, and Bernard Purdie of course - a band is only ever as good as its drummer..."

"But more important than any solo or technical abilities is the feel and vibe of a band, and it feels like everyone is having the time of their life on this tune. In fact there's not much that can top it for me - except for the full length version on Joe's "What It Is" LP - now that's an album and a half!”

Thanks to Pete for a great contribution! You can purchase a physical format of the new album here. Check out the 'Soul Child' single featuring Noel McKoy on lead vocals below. For more news and info on the Fantastics check out their website thefantastics.co.uk

RSG classic albums #1 - Touch 'Em with Love

Bobbie Gentry
Touch 'Em With Love Capitol 1969

The first in an occasional series introducing some of our all time favourite albums. We kick off with this sleeping giant from the gorgeous Bobbie Gentry...

'Touch 'Em With Love' was Bobbie's fifth album release on Capitol records. Most people will remember the divine Bobbie Gentry for her work with Glen Campbell, her most famous composition 'Ode to Billie Joe' and finally her striking good looks that haven't dated one bit (check out that picture, wow!). But it's her fairly obscure 1969 would be classic that best captures her raw and underappreciated talent.

Bobbie Gentry's songs go much further than capturing the essence of cool country music. She incorporates the blues, soul and gospel all wrapped up with a sultry, husky, smoky vocal style all of her own. A voice that can be both warm and soothing yet somehow at the same time, feel cold, distant and troubled.

Take the good ol' foot tapper that is 'Greyhound Goin' Somewhere' a country tinged cruisin' gem in a similar vein to 'Everybody's Talkin' but with a breathless vocal to make your toes curl. The upbeat gospel tinged 'Touch 'Em With Love' is packed with an uplifting positivity and a killer female choir that will make you repent for even thinking about doubting such a natural beauty. The equally wistful 'Seasons Come Seasons Go' conjures up dreamy images of warm cosy, lazy Sunday mornings of days gone by.

The three fantastic interpretations of classic songs included here also defy belief. Hal David and Burt Bacharach's swoon some ballad 'I'll Never Fall In Love Again' features Bobbie at her angelic best. 'Where's The Playground, Johnny' is the sweeping, orchestrated epic you'd expect from a Jimmy Webb penned song. Most impressive of all though is the sexy take on 'Son Of A Preacher Man' a song that has been done by the best of 'em, Aretha, Dusty and co. Gentry's version is an equally tasty soulful groove. Elsewhere the big production creates a mighty wall of sound combined with Bobbie Gentry's yearning voice for an overwhelming and absorbing experience that begs repeated listening. Only problem with the album is, it's too damn short!

File along with the mighty fine 'Dusty In Memphis' for two examples of the finest female white soul ever recorded.

Touch 'Em With Love was re-issued back in the 90s by Rev-Ola but is long out of print. It is now available as a 2 on 1 CD coupled with the album 'Ode To Bille Joe' on Raven. You can purchase it here. Check out this fantastic footage courtesy of You Tube showing Bobbie belting out 'Touch 'Em With Love' on the Morecambe and Wise show.

My Favourite 45 by Lewis Wharton, Little Barrie

Little Barrie have been knocking about for awhile now churning out their own unique brand of funky, bluesy rock for the modern age. You may have seen singer Barrie – with his cool 70s Keef Richard’s hair do – rockin’ and a rollin’ with the current Primal Scream live set up. The funked up threesome are currently working on their third album with a new single due later this year. Their early Stark Reality 7” singles are to be given a limited re-issue soon, so if you missed ‘em first time round, keep an eye out on mail order sites like Juno Records, to make sure you catch ‘em.

Bass player Lewis Wharton, kindly took time out to contribute to our ever popular ‘My Favourite 45’ series, where we ask our favourite movers and shakers to pluck a 45rpm single from their record collection and wax lyrical about it for a minute or so. If you would like to comment or contribute to this series we would love to hear from ya!

The Cramps - Surfin Bird / The Way I Walk (Vengeance)

"To be honest I can take or leave the A-side (Surfing Bird), I prefer the Trashmen's original version but it's all about the B-side (The Way I Walk), and the artwork. This is The Cramps first single, they put this out themselves on their own 'Vengeance' label, the sleeve is just thin matt paper that has been screen printed on both sides but the effect is really cool. Probably the coolest record cover I've ever seen. I think they only pressed 6,000 copies, a lot of which went to radio stations in the US so I'm lucky to have found one over here, and the best thing that I was able to swap it for a load of records I didn't want anymore so it feels like I got it for nothing".

"'The Way I Walk' isn't really a dancefloor filler but it's one of the coolest sounding records you'll ever hear!"

For more info on Little Barrie check out littlebarrie.com. Meanwhile, check out the video of early track ‘Free Salute’ below.

New issue of Shindig lands on planet earth!

The brand new issue of Shindig! is another belter! Cover feature this time round is the Pretty Things plus there are fab features on Funkadelic, garage rock legends Count Five, obscure girl group The She Trinity as well as Kris Needs' on Tim Rose, the guy who wrote the legendary garage classic, 'Hey Joe'. Packed with cool pictures, essential reviews from the world of psych, garage, soul and beyond, this glossy mag is setting new standards for music junkies who like to dig deeper.

You will not want to put this one down! Get hip and get a subscription today! shindig-magazine.com

Whilst we are on a Count Five tip let's indulge ourselves with some rare classic footage of the band performing the snotty, garage anthem, 'Psychotic Reaction' courtesy of good ol' You Tube!

My Favourite 45 (or 12"!) by Rowly, The Delays

Brought together by a shared love of The Stone Roses, The Verve and The Beatles, Southampton boys, The Delays have released three albums to date. Debuting in 2004 with ‘Faded Seaside Glamour’, ‘You See Colours’ followed in 2006 and their latest ‘Everythings The Rush’ arrived in 2008. Their 2004 Rough Trade single ‘Long Time Coming’ is a regular choice spin at RSG! indie do’s.

RSG recently caught up with drummer Rowly (pictured first left) and asked him to pick one of his favourite platters from his record collection and he came up with this psychedelic monster from the Verve.

Verve - She's a Superstar (Hut)

"Verve (pre 'the') were the first band I ever got really passionate about" claims Rowly, "I was just that bit too young to have heard the Roses when they came out (Black Lace were more my cup of tea at the time!) so by the time my tastes had moved away from Hawaiian shirted pineapple pushers the latest thing was the shoegaze scene”.

“I loved (and still love) a lot of those bands and I think there was some fucking great records made then but when I saw a Verve feature on 'Rapido' (arts show hosted by the Eurotrash guy) I fell for them above all others instantly. They had a sonically beautiful sound, a star frontman with an amazing voice and they could properly groove, a combo I didn’t know was possible!”

"I played the debut single 'All In The Mind' to death so the morning 'She's A Superstar' came out I ran to the record shop first thing, then ran home (faster), all the while staring at the cover which was like a waterfall on another planet (cool.)”

“There’s no way of describing music this good, other than to say to this day I don’t think a record has caused a firework show in my head like when I put the headphones on, cranked the volume and played this for the first time. Certainly not until another Northern band with a similar swagger and self belief released 'Live Forever' a couple of years later, but that’s my favourite 12"”.

Thanks Rowly for taking time out to talk to us. Keep coming back to RSG! for more great 'My Favourite 45' selections from our special guests. If you would like to take part or add your comments on the tracks featured to date, why not drop me a line? soulboy_69@yahoo.com

For more news on the Delays check out

thedelays.co.uk and check out the video to one of our favourite Delays tracks 'Long Time Coming' below.