Johnny "Guitar" Watson - Ain't That A Bitch (1976)

John Watson, Jr. was born in Houston, Texas in 1935. As a child he learned piano from his father, but was fixated on the electric guitar as played by T-Bone Walker and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. When he was 11, his grandfather, a preacher, gave him a guitar on the condition that he not play the "devil's music" (blues), but play blues was the first thing he did. At 15, Watson moved to L.A. with his mother after his parents divorced. In the early 50's he won numerous local talent contests, and made a name for himself on the West Coast, playing under the name "Young John Watson." In 1954 he saw the Joan Crawford movie "Johnny Guitar," and his new stage name was born. Watson was active through the 50's, 60's and 70's, both as an artist in his own right, and as an accompanist - he toured and recorded with Larry Williams, Little Richard, Johnny Otis, David Axelrod, and Sam Cooke, amongst others. As the popularity of blues music waned in the 60's, Watson transitioned to soul and then funk. "Ain't That A Bitch," released in 1976, and "A Real Mother For Ya," which followed a year later, were landmarks of 70's funk. "Ain't That A Bitch" went gold, selling over 500,000 copies. The album featured two highly successful singles, "Superman Lover" (later sampled by Redman, Ice Cube, Ghostface Killah, and others), and "I Need It." Although intensely musical, Watson's often humourous lyrics were typically spoken as opposed to sung, and as such he is seen by many as one of the forefathers of rap.

Album info. on Discogs:

Ain't That A Bitch

CD available on Amazon:

(amazon.com) Ain't That A Bitch

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Gwen McCrae - Something So Right (1976)

"Something So Right" was released shortly after the break-up of Gwen's marriage to George McCrae, a recording artist in his own right. The two had recorded together as a duo through the late 60's before transitioning to working solo in the early 70's. After George's unexpected 1974 hit, "Rock Your Baby" (which was supposed to be a song for Gwen but was recorded by George when she couldn't make it to the studio), and Gwen's own hit, "Rockin' Chair," individual success began to take a toll on the marriage. An album of duets failed to repair the relationship, and the couple separated. "Something So Right" came out a short while later, with the song "Damn Right It's Good" charting successfully. Other strong efforts included the title track and "I've Got Nothing To Lose But The Blues."

On to Discogs for album info:

Something So Right

Available on 2-for-1 CD from Amazon:

(amazon.com) Rockin' Chair & Something So Right

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Tony Aiken And Future 2000 - Unity, Sing It, Shout It (1976)

Another obscure record, from an obscure group and an obscure label. Players on this project all had their roots in Caribbean music, but were also involved in the New York club scene. This is "feel-good" music through and through, with elements of funk and early disco blended in an oh-so-satisfying pot-pourri. The instrumental "Time Tunnel" is an energetic, foot-tapping funky groove from start to finish, with hints of drum-and-bass (a song before its time?) "Better Days" and the title track are similarly grooving, with the addition of warm, uplifting vocals and harmonies, and a punchy horn section. If you can find it, this one's definitely worth a listen!

On to Discogs for album info:

Unity, Sing It, Shout It

CD available on Amazon:

(amazon.com) Unity, Sing It, Shout It

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Sun - Wanna Make Love (Come Flick My Bic) (1976)

The core members of Sun got together in high school in Dayton in the 60's. Members came and went, and the bands name changed several times over the years. In the early 70's the group toured extensively, supporting the likes of Tower of Power, Earth Wind & Fire, the Commodores, and Ohio Players (to whom they actually lost a couple of members). "Wanna Make Love" was their debut release after signing with Capitol, a label with whom they would record extensively over the next 6 or 7 years. Although Sun never performed that strongly on the charts, the quality of their work was never in question. This album is considered one of their finer efforts, with edgy funk and sharp guitars on the groovy numbers, mixed with smooth mellower numbers.

Album info. at Discogs:

Wanna Make Love (Come Flick My Bic)

Available on Import CD from Amazon:

(amazon.com) Wanna Make Love (Mini LP Sleeve)

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Esther Phillips - For All We Know (1976)

Another Esther Phillips post... "For All We Know " might just as easily have been called "What A Diff'rence A Day Makes, Volume 2." Both albums feature Joe Beck, playing guitar and taking care of string arrangements, along with most of the backing musicians from the earlier project. "What A Diff'rence..." was a massive hit (the album was Esther's best seller, and the single was hugely popular in the clubs), and "For All We Know" was conceived and recorded in a hurry to capitalize on Esther's resulting popularity. The album was well received by club and radio DJ's, but unfortunately didn't spawn any hit singles. Nonetheless, it's a fine effort, and worth adding to any collection. It's available as a Japanese import only.

Album info:

For All We Know

Japanese Import CD available on Amazon:

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Wood, Brass & Steel - Wood, Brass & Steel (1976)

Hailing from New Jersey, Wood, Brass & Steel put out just this one album, then disappeared. Bassist Doug Wimbish and guitarist Skip McDonald resurfaced several years later on the Sugarhill house band. There's a nice mix of tempos in this collection surrounding the album's two big hits: a cracking cover version of "Always There," a Ronnie Laws tune that was also later done by Incognito, and the underground club classic "Funkanova."

Info. at Discogs:

Wood, Brass & Steel

Eddie Kendricks - Goin' Up In Smoke (1976)

Eddie Kendricks was one of the founding members of The Temptations. He was responsible for vocal arrangements, and he also managed wardrobe. In performance, he mostly sang harmony, but he lead or shared lead on several of the group's hits. He left the band in 1971 as he was increasingly uncomfortable with the "psychedelic" direction the band was taking. Of the 9 solo albums he put out in the 70's, this is perhaps the best, though some might argue that 1972's "People... Get Ready" or 1975's "He's A Friend" should have that honour.

Track info. available at Discogs:

Goin' Up In Smoke

F.B.I. - F.B.I. (1976)

Another funky gem. this time from 9-piece, UK-based F.B.I. (Funky Bands Inc.) This, their only album, was popular on radio in the UK, but sadly the potential of the group did not result in any further output.

Album info. can be found on Discogs:

F.B.I.

Album available on Amazon:

(amazon.com) F.B.I.

(amazon.ca) F.B.I.