The Soul Society – Satisfaction (1968)
Artist: The Soul Society
Title: Satisfaction
Year: 1968
Format: LP
Label: Dot
One of those “studio groups play instrumental versions of soul hits” albums that were so popular at the time. Produced by George Cates and Jack Pleis, most of the stuff’s fairly standard soul with an undercurrent of Latin rhythms, instrumental cover material such as “Soul Man”, “Sidewinder”, “Pata Pata”, “Boogaloo Down Broadway” and “Cold Sweat”, but there’s a very cool original called “Afro-Desia”, which has a nice groove to it! (J.J. Hildreth)
Track Listing
- Soul Man
- Sidewinder
- Boogaloo Down Broadway
- Pata Pata
- I Second That Emotion
- Afro-Desia
- (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
- Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
- Uptight (Everything’s Alright)
- Respect
- Cold Sweat
- Drive-In (From “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?”)
The Now Generation – Sock It To Me!! (1968)
Artist: The Now Generation
Title: Sock It To Me!!
Year: 1968
Format: LP
Label: Somerset
The Now Generation was actually a studio project put together by D. L. Miller and featured R&B /Soul songs performed by three artists, Little Joe Curtis, Paul Griffin and Donnie Burkes with musical backup by the Animated Egg.
Budget label exploito fun from the Leo Muller/D.L. Miller stable. Featuring funky vocal cuts and organ grooves. If the cover looks familiar it’s because the photo appeared in a cropped version on the Orange Groove “Crystal Blue Persuasion And Other Sounds Of Today” LP along with a couple of songs from that album. (J.J. Hildreth)
Track Listing
- Sock Me Your Love [Little Joe Curtis]
- Baby Don’t You Weep [Paul Griffin]
- C.C. Rider [Donnie Burks]
- Frankie And Johnny [Paul Griffin]
- Sockerina [Paul Griffin]
- Mercy, Mercy On Me [Little Joe Curtis]
- Old Time Sock [Paul Griffin]
- I Go For Anything [Donnie Burkes]
- Get On Board [Paul Griffin]
- Down Home Baby [Paul Griffin]
Wayne Talbert – Houston Nickel Kicks (1970)
Artist: Wayne Talbert
Title: Houston Nickel Kicks
Year: 1970
Format: LP
Label: Mercury
Another forgotten album, Wayne Talbert’s Houston Nickel Kicks. Before cutting this record, Talbert, who looks like a fat, freaky ex-Marine, played piano for Mother Earth and the Sir Douglas Quintet.
He also worked with Dr. John the Night Tripper, did the arrangements for Jimmy Cotton’s best album ( “Cut You Loose” ), made two mediocre solo albums, and wrote a song entitled “Schizophrenic Susan Minnick,” all of which should entitle him to some small fame, surely. This, his third album, was a blatant attempt to get Talbert a hit single, which attempt, unfortunately, failed.
The record was produced by the great Huey P. Meaux, who is responsible for the Peggy Scott and Jo Jo Benson hits, “Lover’s Holiday,” “Soulshake,” and “Pickin Wild Mountain Berries.” Meaux kept almost all the cuts simple, melodic, and less than three minutes long.
The best of them are the amazingly pompous and melodramatic “I Can’t Take Another Heartache” and “Put It On Me.” Talbert pulls off singing such ludicrous songs only on the strength of his fantastic voice, which falls just a little short of Screaming Jay Hawkins.
In addition to this, Houston Nickel Kicks is worth owning just for the truly tough cover picture of Talbert leaning against a Williams’ Apollo pinball machine, which pinball connoisseurs will recognize as a classic. (Andy Klein)
Track Listing
- I Can’t Take Another Heartache
- Wish You Were Here
- Summertime Love
- Lonely Weekends
- Put It On Me
- Sufferin City
- Your Tears Leave Me Cold
- Hello Maryanne
- Lover To A Friend
- Nobody Loves Me (Nobody Cares)
Nolan Porter – No Apologies (1971)
Artist: Nolan Porter
Title: No Apologies
Year: 1971
Format: LP
Label: Lizard
Noisy Vinyl Rip
The first time Nolan hit the charts, he didn’t even need a last name. But good word travels fast, and before long Nolan Porter was mixing it up with the likes of Steppenwolf, Little Feat and Johnny Guitar Watson. His own unique brand of music brings Marvin Gaye, Randy Newman and, well, lots of Nolan all into the same sound
And, yes, you do have to hear it to really know what Nolan Porter is all about. Nolan spent his youngest years in Los Angeles, but he’s one of those characters who doesn’t belong to any place geographical.
His travels have taken him to Asia and all over the western world giving his voice the kind of world-wisdom that peeks out of Randy Newman’s lyrics. 1970 brought Nolan to Lizard Records, brainchild of Gabriel Mekkler and sporting the talents of Johnny Guitar Watson, himself on the cusp of a golden era. Together with Mekkler, Nolan penned the Steppenwolf success “What Would You Do If I Did That To You”.
In 1971 Nolan released “No Apologies” for Lizard which was recorded “live” at the Troubador in Los Angeles and featured ex Mothers Of Invention members Jimmy Carl Black, Lowell George and Roy Estrada. The album featured R&B cover versions of songs written by Randy Newman, Van Morrison and David Blue as well as a few original tunes…. (Howard Hales Broom)
Track Listing
- Iron Out The Rough Spots
- Let’s Burn Down The Cornfield
- What Would You Do If I Did That To You
- Gwendolyn
- The Fifth One
- Crazy Love
- Somebody’s Gone
- Don’t Make Me Color My Black Face Blue
- Fe Fi Fo Fum
- Somebody’s Cryin’
Nolan Porter – Nolan (1972)
Artist: Nolan Porter
Title: Nolan
Year: 1972
Format: LP
Label: ABC
Noisy Vinyl Rip
His second LP recorded for ABC Records (the album included two songs from his first LP) also featured ex Mothers Of Invention members Jimmy Carl Black, Lowell George and Roy Estrada. Nolan would also be part of the early Little Feat recording sessions when George and Estrada formed that group in late 1969.
After traveling the world in the 80s, the spiritual side of Nolan’s music was stronger than ever. In recent years the sound of Marvin Gaye could still be heard in one of Nolan’s favorite tunes, “What’s Going On?”. As so often happens, Nolan has found his life curving back upon itself: Some two decades and who knows how many miles after playing with the alumni of Frank Zappa’s Mothers Of Invention, Nolan found himself together with Candy Zappa.
Their relationship through music has manifested itself (among other things) in the Once A Legacy review, which premiered in early 2000. Nolan feels as at home on the Legacy stage as he has anywhere else in the world. “Candy and I do songs that we share at some deeper level.
Once A Legacy is more or less the story of how we might have met long ago, how we finally did come together and how we might have known each other all this time”. (Howard Hales Broom)
Track Listing
- I Like What You Give
- Groovin’ (Out On Life)
- Somebody’s Gone
- Work It Out In The Morning
- Oh Baby
- If I Could Only Be Sure
- Crazy Love
- Singer Man
- Burn Down The Cornfield
- Keep On Keepin’ On
Earthquire – Earthquire (1972)
Artist: Earthquire
Title: Earthquire
Year: 1972
Format: LP
Label: Natural Resources
Tata Vega joined Earthquire in the early seventies, who would sign a deal with Natural Resources, a division of Motown. As lead singer, songwriter and percussionist with the band, Tata’s talents were immediately noticed by Motown who signed her as a soloist to their subsidiary Tamla label.
Earthquire was produced by legendary producer Tom Wilson (Bob Dylan, The Animals, Velvet Underground, Mothers Of Invention etc.), who signed on with Natural Resources in late 1971 and also produced the Two Friends’ self-titled album (see July 8, 2010 post) and Corliss Nelson’s “Corliss” album for the label. These albums were some of the last recordings Wilson would produce. (Jack Dominilla)
Track Listing
- Sunshine Man
- Harvest Feeling
- A Day To Remember
- Southern Comfort
- Soul Long
- Soul Eyes
- So Free
- This Feeling Won’t Last Long
- My Sea
- Prayer Of Light
Mandala – Soul Crusade (1968)
Artist: Mandala
Title: Soul Crusade
Year: 1968
Format: LP
Label: Atlantic
Post courtesy of Ross
Mandala was a Canadian Rhythm and Blues and Soul band from the Sixties. The band is best known for containing well-known Canadian guitarist, the late Domenic Troiano who recorded with The James Gang and The Guess Who in the Seventies. The band also contained Roy Kenner, who later became the lead singer with the James Gang, both during and after the period when Troiano was lead guitarist with that band.
Mandala’s origins can be traced back to The Rogues, the house band at the Club Bluenote in Toronto during the summer of 1964. Keyboard player Josef Chirowski (born March 2, 1947 in Germany), bass player Don Elliot (born December 8, 1944 in Toronto) and drummer Pentti “Whitey” Glan (born July 8, 1946 in Finland) had worked together previously in several outfits, most notably Whitey & The Roulettes, who also contained future Luke & The Apostles and McKenna Mendelson Mainline guitarist, Mike McKenna.
The band adopted the name The Rogues when singer George Olliver (born January 25, 1946 in Toronto) and former Robbie Lane & The Disciples guitarist Domenic Troiano (born Michaele Antonio, January 17, 1946 in Mondugno, Italy, naturalized Canadian in 1955) joined in 1965.
For a very brief period at the end of 1965, future Blood, Sweat & Tears singer David Clayton-Thomas also augmented the line up after parting with his previous support band, The Shays.
In the spring of 1966, The Rogues (minus Clayton-Thomas) briefly became The Five Rogues and consolidated their local reputation with regular appearances on the city’s vibrant club scene, playing at venues like the Hawk’s Nest, the Club El Macombo and the Rouge Inn.
One show at the Rouge Inn, advertised in the Toronto Telegram’s “After Four” section for May 25, 1966, found the group opening for Wilson Pickett alongside another local group, R K & The Associates, who featured future Mandala singer Roy Kenner. During this hectic period, the band also performed throughout Ontario, appearing at notable venues like the Whitby Arena and the Jubilee Auditorium[disambiguation needed] in Oshawa. Around this time, the group also recorded two tracks as demos – “I Can’t Hold Out No Longer” and “I’ll Make It Up To You”.
In mid-September 1966, the group’s manager, Rafael Markowitz (aka Randy Martin), a former TV clown, sensed a change in the music scene and decided to reinvent the group’s image and name. Mandala is a symbol (a circle within a circle within a circle), which is used by Buddhist monks as an aid to contemplation.
Markowitz envisioned the band as being a channel for the audience to release its emotions and the newly named outfit, decked in pinstripe, gangster-style suits and aided by strobe lights, returned to the Toronto scene in early October with its “Soul Crusade”, which was met with mass hysteria.
The US market soon beckoned and in late November, Mandala made a brief exploratory trip to Los Angeles performing for four nights at the Whiskey A Go Go. While there, the band played three weekends at the Hullabaloo where they attracted 1,400 fans by word of mouth.
On the way home, the group stopped off in Chicago and recorded Troiano’s “Opportunity” at Chess Studios, with The Dells providing backing vocals. Issued as Mandala’s debut single on Decca’s subsidiary label, KR, “Opportunity” swiftly climbed up Toronto’s CHUM Chart, peaking at #3 on February 20, 1967.
After gigging extensively in the Toronto area throughout the early part of 1967, Mandala travelled to New York in early March for an extended engagement at Steve Paul’s The Scene alongside folk singer/songwriter Eric Andersen, the shows running from March 6 to April 2.
While in New York, Mandala also participated in Murray the K’s Easter Rock Extravaganza, which was held at RKO Theater in Manhattan from March 25 to April 4 and also featured The Blues Project, Cream, The Who, Wilson Pickett, Jim and Jean, The Chicago Loop and Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels among others. Following the show, the band joined Wilson Pickett and Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels for a number of dates in the New York area before returning to Toronto in early April.
That same month, KR released a second single, “Give & Take”, which made #21 on the CHUM chart. The group also began work on its “Soul Crusade” album at Toronto Sound but internal differences ground the sessions to a halt.
Mandala returned to New York several times over the next few months, performing at Steve Paul’s The Scene from April 25-May 5 and for a one-off show on July 18. They also travelled to Montreal to perform at the Garden of Stars from July 30-August 5 during Expo.
However, internal differences were starting to pull the group apart. Shortly after another short trip to New York to play Steve Paul’s The Scene on September 27, 1967, singer George Olliver left to form his own band. Chirowski also departed at this point to work briefly for Canadian Pacific Railways during the day and perform with The Power Project in the evenings.
A new line up of the band featuring singer Roy Kenner (born January 14, 1948 in Toronto) and keyboard player Henry Babraj, from Roy Kenner & The Associates, made its public debut at the Roost in Ottawa on October 8, 1967.
The following month, Mandala embarked on their fourth US tour, kicking off with a show at the Cheetah in Hollywood. The tour included an appearance at the Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino, California on November 13 alongside Buffalo Springfield and The Yellow Payges.
In early 1968, Atlantic Records chief Ahmet Ertegün acted on a tip from producer Phil Spector and bought the group’s contract from Decca.
With the green light to record, Mandala laid down six tracks at Atlantic Studios, New York in February, including the Arif Mardin produced single “Love It-is”, which reached #9 on the CHUM chart when it was released in July.
Two months later, the band completed sessions for its long awaited debut album, “Soul Crusade” and then remained in the States to tour before returning to Toronto in June, around which time Henry Babraj appears to have left the group. One or more local Toronto players may have been used for local and regional and U.S. shows but Babraj’s permanent replacement was Hugh Sullivan from Mr Paul & The Blues Council, who joined Mandala in the Bahamas.
Soon afterwards, the group recorded at least two Coca Cola commercials.
As the group seemed on the verge of a major breakthrough disaster struck. In October 1968, Don Elliot was involved in a serious car accident and was forced to leave Mandala leaving the rest of the group to complete a Canadian tour with Sullivan covering bass on keyboards.
More bad news lay in store.
The band’s final single, “You Got Me”, failed to chart while sales for the “Soul Crusade” album were disappointing. Shortly after appearing at the Detroit Pop Festival and the Grand Rapids Pop Festival in Michigan during April 1969, the band recruited bass player Prakash John from The Stone Soul Children but the end was in sight and on June 1, 1969, Mandala played their final show at the Hawk’s Nest in Toronto.
Bass player Don Elliot subsequently joined Leigh Ashford and then played in Milestone in the early Seventies.
After fronting his group, The Soul Children, original singer George Olliver recorded and toured with Natural Gas in the late Sixties. He then fronted George Olliver and Friends, which also contained former Mandala member, Barry Hutt.
Keyboard player Josef Chirowski meanwhile played with various Toronto bands before becoming a member of the highly respected rock band, Crowbar.
Hugh Sullivan briefly played with Merryweather while Kenner, Troiano, Glan and John regrouped as Bush and recorded a lone album in 1971.
Kenner and Troiano subsequently recorded with The James Gang in 1972–1974, while Chirowski, Glan and John became notable session and touring musicians, playing with the likes of Alice Cooper and Lou Reed, among others. Troiano later developed a successful solo career, which included Kenner at various points.
Kenner stayed in and around Toronto, developing an expertise in advertising vocals. John established the Toronto-based rhythm and blues band, The Lincolns, which continues playing today. Domenic Troiano died of cancer in 2005. (Wikipedia)
Track Listing
- World Of Love
- One Short Year
- Love-itis
- Come On Home
- Every Single Day
- Mellow Carmellow Palumbo
- Can’t Hold Out
- Don’t Make Me Cry
- Stop Cryin’ On My Shoulder
- Faith
- Opportunity
- Lost Love
- Give And Take
- From Toronto 67′
- You Got Me
- Help Me
The Shades Of Black Lightning – The Shades Of Black Lightning (1968)
Artist: The Shades Of Black Lightning
Title: The Shades Of Black Lightning
Year: 1968
Format: LP
Label: Tower
It isn’t often that a young musical group discover themselves, and at the same time, discover their music. Such was the case with the Shades Of Black Lightning. When the Shades first came to my attention, the group was in the midst of developing. They had an exciting style in Rhythm and Blues.
Coming into the studio gave them further opportunities for experimentation. Here, the creativity and imagination of the individual members flowered, matched by enthusiasm and the joy found only in people who love what they are doing.
They have come to this happy point in their development. They want to share it with you. I think you’ll agree that the Shades are different. They bring with them sound of today and previews of tomorrow. (Freddie Piro – Album Liner Notes)
Track Listing
- Got Myself Together
- Yesterday’s Dream
- Mama Jo’s Place
- Baby Doll
- Any Old Way
- Soul Love-In
- Gonna Win You Over
- Who Do You Think I Am
- I Need You
The Lost Generation – The Sly, Slick And The Wicked (1970)
Artist: The Lost Generation
Title: The Sly, Slick And The Wicked
Year: 1970
Format: LP
Label: Brunswick
Spearheaded by brilliant songwriter and vocalist Lowrell Simon, The Lost Generation was one of Chicago’s finest smooth soul groups. While never attaining the commercial heights of their label- and city brethren the Chi-Lites, the two albums they cut for Brunswick are definitely worth seeking out. And, if you’re like me and like some ‘rough edges’ ’round smoother soul, the Lost Generation is your bet.
‘The Sly, Slick and the Wicked’, released in 1970, naturally contained the group’s epyomously titled biggest selling single. A fine, slow burning soul ballad featuring heavy echoes on the chorus and heavenly harmonies throughout. The interplay between the delicate strings and, probably Quinton Joseph’s, more funky, hard drumming make “The Sly, Slick and the Wicked” a Chicago Soul classic.
In a similar vein is the late night soul groove “Love on a Two Way Street”. Really tight brass here, and that inimitable, classy, sophisticated orchestration that never gets too intrusive. The group’s spin on The Chairmen of the Board’s “Give Me Just a Little More Time”, on the other hand, is almost a carbon copy of the original.
The first uptempo tune here is “You’re So Young But You’re So True”, bumping along a frantic bass line, featuring more brilliant, busy arrangements by Tom Tom Washington.
The following two songs, “Sorry I Can’t Help You” and “Someday”, both are exquisite, dreamy, sweetly orchestrated ballads. The latter charted in 1971 and is embellished with some spot-on rainstorm effects.
More upbeat is a rousing rendition of Charles Wright & The Watts 103d Street Band’s “Love Land” – again staying fairly true to the original -, after which the group heads home one more for the sweet, smooth soul vibe of “Didn’t I Blow Your Mind”, a nice interpretation of the big Delfonics hit.
Probably the most surprising cut here is the stupidly rocking “Wasting Time”; a stuttering groove monster with Lowrell waiting on his date in a steamin’ club, with the rest of the group bantering behind him: “She should’a been here by now!”…
Closing this set is “Wait a Minute”, a track inspired by their first hit, “The Sly, Slick and the Wicked”. More heavy use of echo here, as well as shimmering, tastefully arranged strings, as the group glides through this lullaby-like ballad.
A fine Chi-Soul album by a very underrated group. (soulmakossa RYM)
Track Listing
- Sly, Slick And The Wicked
- Love On A Two Way Street
- Give Me Just A Little More Time
- You’re So Young But You’re So True
- Sorry I Can’t Help You
- Someday
- Love Land
- Didn’t I Blow Your Mind
- Wasting Time
- Wait A Minute
Steve Colt – Paradox (1970)
Artist: Steve Colt
Title: Paradox
Year: 1970
Format: LP
Label: Vanguard
Judging by the cover and the label that this was released on, i always thought this to be a Folk Psych album, but to my surprise it’s a funky, soulful, gospel affair that includes covers of the Left Banke’s “Walk Away Renee” and Bob Dylan’s “Memphis Blues Again”. Prior to this album, Colt recorded for the Philadelphia Big Beat label, recording several 45s for them in the late 60s. (Max Collodie)
Track Listing
- Please Please Please (Tell My Mind To Stop Teasing My Heart)
- He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands
- Untangle My Mind
- In That Great Gettin’ Up Morning
- I’m Not Here To Hurt You
- Walk Away Renee
- Sometimes I Don’t Like Myself
- Memphis Blues Again
