Get Involved blog

Ervin Rucker – She’s Alright

When I was looking for a copy of Done Done The Slop by Ervin Rucker a couple of years back - I spotted a mint copy of this Rucker track somewhere online (eBay probably) and grabbed it for a few quid hoping it would be uptempo. To my delight it IS an uptempo number, though a different kettle of fish to Done Done The Slop. Not much seems to be known about the Musette label, but I’m guessing this was recorded early to mid 60s. Check out the minor-to-major key shifts between verse and and infectious, gospel-style chorus. Praise be!

Champion Jack Dupree – Dirty Woman

I’m a sucker for great percussion and well, check out the wild and crazy beat on this blues number by piano-playing Champion Jack Dupree. I actually think the percussion follows on nicely from the rhythms of the drumming in the last track I posted - hugely different tracks though they are. This VIK disc was cut in 1957 when Dupree was in his late 40s and right on top of his game. It was a sweet day I bagged this near mint copy!

Bobby Bland – Honey Child

If I have any regular readers left, well, thank you: I haven’t posted since April - I’ve been super busy this year! OK, without further ado, here’s a Bobby Bland record from 1964 I haven’t really played out much but, having pulled it out of the ol’ 7″ drawers the other week to give it a spin at home, I found myself thinking “wow”. This is a killer track and it’s now where it probably should have been before: in my record box!

Wendy Rene – Bar-B-Q

Hugely inspired by my recent visit to #Meateasy on Saturday (see previous post) to sample its delights and spin discs with the lovely Roxanne Roll and Johnny Hotsauce, I’ve decided to dig out one of my favourite summer time soul records, Bar-B-Q by Wendy Rene on Stax from 1964. Yes, it’s time to get the barbeque out, buy some prime quality meat, some highly recommended meat rubs and sauces – and get some friends round for some good times in the garden!

I like a barbeque, you like a barbeque, we like a barbeque - let’s have a barbeque!

Annisteen Allen – Rough Lover

I must apologise. 2011 is already well established and this is only my second post of the year. Shame on me! I was going to stick up a great Young Jessie record, I Smell A Rat but it’s just been re-issued so I’m not so keen to stick it up.

Instead I thought I’d post a record by an artist that will no doubt get a bootleg repress soon: Annisteen Allen. She made quite a few hot records on Capital, including Fujiyama Mama in 1955 - although Take A Chance On Me is my all time favourite - I’ll post that up soon. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy my most recent AA acquisition: Rough Lover cut on Decca in 1957.