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!