Friday, April 29, 2022
Samantha Summers – You / Te Iluminaré Argentina 1969
Samantha Summers – You / Te Iluminaré
An obscure singer from the underground Rioplatense scene who released only one 45 on the small indie label Mandioca in 1969. Her real name is Monika Duek and she didn't record any more songs, she was an art student and moved to Rome shortly after this song was recorded, and then to Paris. She dedicated herself to photography and still lives in Paris. The song "You" was written by an uruguayan friend of hers who was part of the Tupamaros, a left-wing guerrilla movement.Friday, April 15, 2022
Ripple – Ripple US 1973
Ripple – Ripple
GRC – GA-5005 US 1973 |
Ripple was an American funk band from Kalamazoo Michigan. The group was signed to GRC Records and Salsoul Records in the 1970s, and scored several hit singles, the biggest of which were "I Don't Know What It Is, But It Sure Is Funky" and "The Beat Goes On And On," the latter on Salsoul Records, joined by the Salsoul Orchestra. After moving to Atlanta, Georgia, Wally, Kenny, and Brian restructured the group, adding Victor Burks (keyboards) and Barry Lee (guitar). The group toured extensively around the Southeast, the highlight of which was opening for George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic on their "Mothership Connection" tour. Wally, Kenny, Brian, Victor, and Barry went on to record their seminal album, "Sons of the Gods". "The Beat Goes On And On", from that album, became a disco/hustle classic that's still being played today.
The signature "oh-la oh-la ay" line from "I Don't Know What it is, but it Sure is Funky" was later incorporated into Marcia Griffiths' smash hit, "Electric Boogie (Electric Slide)."
Band members
- Keith Samuels - guitar, lead vocals
- Simon Kenneth Carter - bass, vocals
- Brian Sherrer - drums, percussion, timbales
- Walter (Wally) Carter - conga, percussion, vocals
- Dave Ferguson - trumpet, flugel horn, percussion
- William (Bill) Hull - tenor sax, flute, percussion
- Curtis Reynolds - organ, piano, vibe master, vibraphone, vocals
- Victor Burks - keyboards, vocals
- Barry Lee - guitar
Albums
- Ripple (GRC Records, 1973)
- Sons of the Gods (Salsoul Records, 1977)
Bio by Richie Unterberger:
An interracial Michigan soul-funk band, Ripple had an R&B hit in 1973 with "I Don't Know What It Is but It Sure Is Funky," and made several other recordings for the GRC label in the mid-'70s. They were an eclectic hodgepodge of influences circulating in soul music at the time -- sometimes they can sound like a more pop-inclined version of Kool & the Gang, other times they sound like a less distinctive variant of Stevie Wonder. Their brand of funk was neither too raw nor too slick, with liberal pop and jazz influences. Those who like just-pre-disco funk will probably enjoy the group.
FULL LP:
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Damascus Road – Damascus Road 1973
Damascus Road – Damascus Road
Ichthus Records – IR 1002 CS US 1973
Thursday, March 24, 2022
Mandrake Memorial live footage 1967
The only live footage known to exist.Live at The Trauma/Philadelphia 1967.
Mandrake Memorial was: Randy Monaco—bass, vocals Craig Anderton—guitar, sitar, electronics Michael Kac—keyboards Kevin Lally—drums The original 1967 16mm Mandrake film from which this video was made was found by Notekillers drummer Barry Halkin in the legendary coffee house, the 2nd Fret. Halkin's father had moved his interior decorating business into the space after the venue closed in 1972. The film was then given to Mandrake superfan Mitch Paul who made the original digital transfer (and added the opening titles) years later. None of the Mandrake Memorial had ever seen ANY footage of them performing (nor did they know this footage even existed) until this past decade when social media contact was made. This footage captures them very early in their formation, and according to Kevin Lally is a nascent version of what eventually evolved into the song "Strange" from their self-titled first album. Also featured is a brief segment of Craig Anderson playing sitar and some (silent) band antics that perfectly capture the mood of the era. By David First