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‘Maxx Traxx (and Third Rail before them) were a scene unto themselves in early 80s Chicago, happening live on-stage five-plus nights a week. Their two LPs, both recorded in 1982, are like catching a bullet train, a sheer energy ride almost too explosive to be captured by studio tape. Hop the turnstile and move with this complete document of Chicago’s last great club band told in detailed text, newly revealed photos, and complete studio recordings painstakingly remastered.’
His terrific Positive-Negative LP from 1976, plus singles for Golden Voice, Mercury and Tosted (including the original Now That I Have You), and the sixties sides of his organ-funk combo the TMGs.
Lovely, characterful, poignant soul music which irresistibly radiates the singer’s worship of Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye.
Al Green, Philly Soul and also-ran frustration are in the wings: What Can I Do came out of Grand Rapids on the coat-tails of Back Up Train; I’m A Stranger was recorded at Sigma, in the slipstream of Be Thankful For What You Got.
“I’m out here all alone… trying to find my way… I don’t know where to roam… I just don’t know what to say about all this… I’m a stranger.”
‘Former Mind & Matter bandmates James ‘Jimmy Jam’ Harris and Michael Dixon teamed up for this 1978 gospel-boogie banger, originally on the private Mad label.’
‘A disciple of mambo innovator Perez Prado, the Cuban-born Modesto Duran was a pivotal figure in Latin dance music’s transitionary mid-century period. His gentle slaps can be heard across dozens of 1950s mega-sellers, from Esquivel to Belafonte, Eartha Kitt to Lena Horne. On his 1960 solo debut, Duran gathers a who’s who of conga-men, including Mongo Santamaría, Willie Bobo, and Juan Cheda, delivering a cinematic and percussive melange of afro-cuban, cha cha, and exotic jazz styles.’
Gorgeous, unheralded, sweet soul from Chicago.
School-friends Clifford Curry and LaSalle Matthews started the group in 1965, with Walter Jones and Robert Thomas, all in for the long haul. They waited till 1970 for a hit — I’m Still Here, produced by Syl Johnson for Twinight — and had to ride out the label’s demise before signing to Curtom’s new Gemigo imprint in late 1973. (Super People was 1975.)
Unmistakably Chicagoan and stamped by Curtis, classically schooled but on the cusp… with its roots in the chivalric harmonies of doowop, its bad self in dapperly distraught r&b balladry, and its eye on the new social consciousness of soul and funk.
Typical Numero loveliness.
Terry Ork was an absconder from Warhol’s Factory. Starting in 1975, his label issued the debut 45s of Television and Richard Hell, as well as landmark recordings by The Feelies and Lester Bangs, not to mention Big Star’s Alex Chilton and the dBs’ Chris Stamey, and such acts as Marbles, Prix, Mick Farren, Cheetah Chrome, the Idols, the Erasers, the Revelons, Student Teachers etc etc.
The deluxe 190-page hardback book is stuffed with terrific photos. The exquisitely sleeved bonus 45 features two previously unreleased tracks by The Feelies — The Boy With The Perpetual Nervousness from 1978, and a cover of Bacharach and David’s My Little Red Book, recorded live at CBGB, late 1976.
Lovely, rough, heartfelt doowop, with a dash of early Impressions. Prix demos.
As featured in the recent Ikea ad.
Previously unissued underground rock from 1969, Rockford, Illinois.
‘Two sets of identical teenage twins, Alfred and Alvin Pelham, and Keith and Kirk Gardner, along with Ricky Spicer. The group released a couple of singles and this lone album for Cleveland’s Saru label in 1971, breaking up and disbanding as adolescence waned. A recent sample darling of both Kanye West and Tyler The Creator, Bound has revealed the Ponderosa Twins Plus One as the real Midwest kid soul deal.
‘Freshly remastered from the original analogue tapes, adding two previously unissued bonus tracks; in a replica tip on sleeve.’