FUNKY-SOUL-VINYLS CLASSIC SOUL AND FUNK ALBUMS OF THE 60's 70's and 80's # 9

In this Series of Posts, I will writing about a Particular Classic Soul/Funk Album from the 60's 70's and 80's

The one's that stand out in my Mind, as The Best Soul/Funk/Jazz/R&B Albums ever Released. All of them, I purchased as Vinyl many Years ago and also I have them on CD today.

You may have a Differing view (as we all do) on these Choices, but these are my Favorites!

Number 9.... TRAMMPS....THE LEGENDARY ZING ALBUM


The Legendary Zing Album was Released in 1975 on the Buddah Record Label, this was after The Trammps had left the Record Label to join Golden Fleece Records, which was Formed by Trammps Members including Ronnie Baker Norman Harris and Earl Young.

It was basically a "Best" of Album from the previous 3 Years worth of Work, including 4 Singles:


1, Penguin at The Big Apple/Zing (1972),  2, Sixty Minute Man (1972),   3, Pray All You Sinners (1973) and  4, Hold Back The Night (1976).


They all Charted, but the Biggest Hit was "Hold Back The Night" that got to Number 10 in US R&B Chart, Number 35 in US Hot 100 and also Number 5 in UK Pop Chart, this was their Biggest Hit in UK.


The Album was Produced by Band Members: Baker Harris and Young

All the Tracks on the Album were Remixed by "Tom Moulton" The Big Remixer of the 70's.


Incidentally the Album did not chart in US or UK.


"Hold Back The Night" (10) was only One Chart placing below their Biggest ever Hit in US, the Trammps Anthem "Disco Inferno" (9). 

The Trammps were Formed from the Band Members of a 60's Band which were called Originally the "Volcanos" and then later the "Moods" 


The Trammps were one of my Original Favorite Bands from the 70's, I remember around 1976 when "Hold Back The Night" was a Hit in UK, they were going to Tour over Here, I had Tickets for one of the Shows, in a place Called "West Runton" that's in North Norfolk, UK.


But at the last Minute the Show was called off, I don't know if it was the whole Tour was Cancelled or just that One Show (in Runton), I never found out either!


That I'm sure would have been a Great Show!


Download The Album Here or Here!

THE 111th MIX FOR F.S.V.B

Here's the 111th Mix selection for F.S.V.B, Its been Mixed by George the DJ, its called "DiscoFunkSoul FullMix Volume 9, there's some Classic Funk Soul & Disco on here, including some Time, ConFunkShun, Cameo, LTD, Crusaders and The Strikers!

Heres Volume 1 as Featured back in Mid June

Press play button below or to Download press Kadoo and go to WebPage  to see Complete Track Listings!

PERSONAL CASSETTE & THE FOUR TOPS

I was Working as a Chef on a Gas Platform in the North Sea, it was the middle of November 1983.


I was Working 2 Weeks on and 2 Weeks off, so I knew before I left Shore, I needed something to stop the Boredom at some point in the 2 Weeks, so I took some Books and more Importantly I took my New Personal Cassette Player!


These had only been out for about a Year or Two, I could not Afford a Sony Walkman, so mine was a cheaper Version, I believe it was made by AIWA, anyway it was Blue in Colour and had very similar Headphones to those in the picture! 

I used to Record all my Vinyl Records I brought, so I could always hear them (when either I was going to Work or when I was at Work), on my Portable or Personal Cassette, I also always use to Buy a lot of Cassette Tapes, around this period.


I remember I always Recorded all the 7" and 12" Singles in a sort of continuous Mix, they were Great Listening! 

So on my First Trip Offshore, I took plenty of  Recorded Cassettes Tapes, to get me through the Boring Times and there were Plenty of them!


But one thing I can remember concerning my Tapes, I met a black Chap ( a Contractor) on the Rig from London, I cant remember his Name, but he could not get over me "Being White and playing all this Soul and Funk Music"


Anyway He seemed alright and I used to lend him my Tapes, all the time. When his time came to leave the Rig for a Fortnight off, He asked if he could Borrow one of my Tapes to take Home to Record and bring back, in 14 Days time, I said "Yes"

That turned out to be a Mistake, as I never saw him or my Tape again, now whether He knew he was not coming back Offshore or the Fact I only ever did 2 Trips before I finished (working offshore) and Missed him, I'll never know! 


So if by any chance, you are that Bloke (Reading this Post) who Borrowed my Tape, It was a Copy anyway!


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As for Music, as I have said in a Previous Post, my First Love in Soul Music back in the Very Late 60's and Early 70's was "Motown" so bands like The Temptations, Junior Walker, Marvin Gaye and of course "The Four Tops" were among my Favorites.


One of my Favorite Tracks by The Four Tops was actually after they had left "Motown" for Abc-Dunhill in the early 70's, Their Debut Album for Abc was "Keeper Of The Castle" the Title Track was the First Released Single, this was followed in 1973 by my Favorite Four Tops Track "Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got)" 


Its a Great Soul Track with the Excellent Voice of Levi Stubbs on Lead Vocals.


It was Written by  Dennis Lambert (he also Produced) and Brian Potter, The Four Tops were not the Original Singers of the Song!

The Song turned out to be The Four Tops most Succesful Single after their Motown Material, it Reached Number 4 in US Pop Chart and Number 2 in the US R&B Chart.


The Original members of The Four Tops, Levi Stubbs, Lawrence Payton and Ronaldo"Obie"Benson are all Deseased, only Abdul "Duke" Fakir is still Going Strong!


I Dedicate this track to My Wife, Susan xx

THE 110th MIX FOR FSVB

Here's the 110th Mix selection for F.S.V.B, Its been Mixed by Matthew Africa, its called "2 Busy Saying Yeah - Love Songs, there's some Classic Soul from the 60's & 70's on here, including some Willie Hutch,
Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, The Impressions  and The Four Tops!

Go to WebPage  to see Complete Track Listings and to Download the Mix!

FUNKY-SOUL-VINYLS CLASSIC SOUL AND FUNK ALBUMS OF THE 60's 70's and 80's # 8

In this Series of Posts, I will writing about a Particular Classic Soul/Funk Album from the 60's 70's and 80's

The one's that stand out in my Mind, as The Best Soul/Funk/Jazz/R&B Albums ever Released. All of them, I purchased as Vinyl many Years ago and also I have them on CD today.

You may have a Differing view (as we all do) on these Choices, but these are my Favorites!

# 8...ARCHIE BELL & THE DRELLS........DANCE YOUR TROUBLES AWAY

Released in December of 1975, Archie Bell & the Drells Debut Album for TSOP was called "Dance Your Troubles Away" it had been over 6 years since their previous release, "There's Gonna Be A Showdown" on Atlantic Records!

The Album, Recorded at the Sigma Studios in Philadelphia, had 7 tracks (as follows) varying from Disco to Ballads to Mid-Tempo Tracks, this was because TSOP (Gamble & Huff) were uncertain how to Market the Band!


A1 : Let's Groove
A2 : I Could Dance All Night
A3 : I Wont Leave you Honey, Never


B1 : Dance Your Troubles Away
B2 : The Soul City Walk
B3 : Let's Go Disco
B4 : I love You (But You Don't Even Know It)


Several different Writers and Producers were Employed for the making of the Album, the Producer's were as follows:


Bunny Sigler : A2 A3
Gene McFadden : A1 B1 B2 B4 
John Whitehead : A1 B1 B2 B4
Kenny Gamble : B2
Leon Huff : A1 B1 B2 B3 B4
Victor Carstarphen : A1 B1 B2 B4 

Their were 3 Single Releases from the Album, The First was 6 months Prior (in June) to the Album Release was "I Could Dance All Night" which Reached # 25 on the US R&B Chart,  the Second Single was "The Soul City Walk" which reached # 42 on th US R&B Chart, it also Charted in The UK Pop Charts at # 13, the third & Final Single was "Let's Groove" which was the Highest Placed Single at # 7 in the US R&B Chart. 


The Album turned out to be "Archie Bell & Thr Drells" Best Selling Album in the US, Charting at # 95 in the Pop Chart.

The Backing Vocals and Rhythm Section for the Album were supplied by "Instant Funk"

It was a Great Album with only One Track I didn't Like too much, and that was "Let's Go Disco" My Favorite Tracks were "Let's Groove " and of course "Soul City Walking" 

I can quite clearly remember Buying this Album from "Airfield Tapes & Records Too" (a Record Shop in My Town, back then) and walking back to Work, that Afternoon and then going Back Home, to put it on my "GEC" Record Player!


A few facts concerning the Band:   
Archie Bell & the Drells came from Houston, Texas, as well as Archie, the Drells were Lee Bell (Archie's Brother) James Wise and Willie Purnell.

They had Recorded for "Gamble & Huff" previously in the 60's, but on the Atlantic Record Label.


The Band had Re-United for this Album and this was their 4th out of 8 Albums Recorded during their Recording History.

DOWNLOAD THE ALBUM HERE

CHECKOUT ALL PREVIOUS RELEASES HERE

CHECKOUT  IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF THE ALBUM HERE

THE 109th MIX FOR FSVB

Here's the 109th Mix selection for F.S.V.B, Its been Mixed by George the DJ, its called "DiscoFunkSoul FullMix Volume 2, there's some Classic Funk Soul & Disco on here, including some Black Ivory, Billy Frazier, Sun, Mass Production and Lenny Williams!


Heres Volume 1 as Featured back in Mid June

Press play button below or to Download press Kadoo and go to WebPage  to see Complete Track Listings!

FIRST FULL DAY AT WORK AND GLENN JONES

The Day after the Fall, I was Aching like Hell all day long, we had our breakfast and then it was over to the Main meeting Area to be told about where we were Working and Living for the next Fortnight!


I was allocated to the Contractors side of the Rig, which meant me and the Steward were looking after about 20 Blokes, who did not work on the Platform full-Time, but now and then.


I had my own Smaller Kitchen/Galley and eating area, to look after, which was Great, we were then shown to our own Sleeping Area/Cabin, it was a lot Better than the place where we had Slept  the Night before and the Bad Memories from last night!

We got all our Stuff into our Rooms then we were off to Work, as it turned out, the Staff who were Leaving the Company (who I worked for) were staying on 1 more day to show us the ropes!


The Old Boy I was replacing was about 55 years old, (actually I still see him sometimes in the Town where I Live now) he showed me what to do and what to expect, it seemed straight forward enough!


I helped him Cook Lunch and Supper/Dinner and about 6pm that night, he was on the Helicopter and gone (back Home)!


I worked 7am to 7pm with a couple of Hours off in the Afternoon, it was not to strict on Hours, as long as you got the Job done!

That night after Dinner, I went back to our Cabin, which I was sharing with the Steward "Peter" he told me about His day, as I told him about mine, after which we got all our Clothes/Belongings etc etc unpacked and put away and went over to the main section of the Rig to see all the other Rig Workers for a Chat and play Pool.


Our First Day was over at about 11pm and we went back to our Cabin for some Sleep, I forgot to mention, in my First 24 Hours on the Rig, the fire Alarm had gone off at least 6 Times!


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As for some Great Soul Music, back in 1987, Glenn Jones Released his Self-Titled Forth Album on Jive Records, it contained a Fantastic Track called "At Last" it was written by Glenn Jones and Timmy Allen (he also Produced the Track) it was Surprisingly Never Released as a Single, in my Opinion its the Best Track Glenn Jones ever Recorded!


Incidentally Timmy Allen used to be in the Group "Change" it also Featured some Great Backing Singer's including Timmy Allen, Genobia Jeter and BJ Nelson.

THE 108th MIX FOR F.S.V.B

Here's the 108th Mix selection for F.S.V.B, Its been Mixed by DJ Kitcho, its called "Fireplace of Funk", there's some Classic 70's and 80's Funk and Dance on here, including: Detroit Spinners, Fat Larrys Band, Peech Boys, Zapp & Roger, Chocolate Milk and Young & Co!

Press play button below or go to DJ Kitcho's Mix Page for other Great Mixes!

Fireplace Of Funk from DJ Kitcho at Letsmix.com.

FUNKY-SOUL-VINYLS CLASSIC SOUL AND FUNK ALBUMS OF THE 60's 70's and 80's # 7

In this Series of Posts, I will writing about a Particular Classic Soul/Funk Album from the 60's 70's and 80's

The one's that stand out in my Mind, as The Best Soul/Funk/Jazz/R&B Albums ever Released. All of them, I purchased as Vinyl many Years ago and also I have them on CD today.

You may have a Differing view (as we all do) on these Choices, but these are my Favorites!

NUMBER 7........ZAPP..........ZAPP

The Debut Album from Zapp was Released on 18th July 1980, it was called "Zapp" it was on the Warner Brothers Record Label and entirely Wrote by Roger Troutman, who also Produced the Album with "Bootsy Collins"


Roger Troutman and Zapp were originally part of George Clinton's Empire.


The Album followed shortly after the Number 2 Debut Single from Zapp "More Bounce to the Ounce" the Album went straight to Number 1 in the US Billboard R&B Albums Chart, and Number 19 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The Album was finally Released on "Warners" after some confusion because Prior to the Success of the Single, Zapp were going to Sign to George Clinton's Record Label "Uncle Jam Records" but after the Single being a Big Hit, Roger Troutman was offered more Money to stay at "Warners" and so his Friendship with "George Clinton" ended, in fact George Clinton Sued both Roger Troutman and Warners!


I don't know whether this Story is 100% as I have read a couple of different stories on the Net.

The Album had some Great Tracks, my Favorites were : obviously "More Bounce"  Be Alright and "Coming Home"


The Full Track Listing is as follows:

ZAPP SIDE ONE:

• More Bounce to the Ounce-9:25
• Freedom-3:48
• Brand New Player-5:51

ZAPP SIDE TWO:

• Funky Bounce-6:46
• Be Alright-7:52
• Coming Home-6:34

The Album Personnel were as follows:


 Vocals-Greg Jackson, Zapp Troutman, Roger Troutman, Bobby Glover

• Percussion-Larry and Lester Troutman
• Conga Drums-Larry Troutman
• Trapp Drums-Lester Troutman
• Bass-Zapp Troutman
• Sax-Carl
• Keyboards-Greg Jackson
• Guitars-Bootsy Collins
• Guitars, Vocals, Keyboards, Talking Box, Bass, Harmonica, and vibes-Roger Troutman

Note on Vocals was Bobby Glover, he later went on in 1984 to have his own Album Released on Columbia Records called "Bad Bobby Glover"


Download the Zapp Album Here
Download the Bobby Glover album "Bad Bobby Glover"Here
Download All other Roger Troutman and Related Music Here

Listen to the Album Tracks!