1970

Another lost classic from the funk vaults, The Watts Breakaway is just one of many musical achievements of Johnny Otis. The singer is Delmar ‘Mighty Mouth’ Evans and the guitarist may well by Johnny’s equally well-known son Shuggie Otis. (more…)

General Crook – Gimme Some

3rd September 2021 · 1970, 1970s, Funk, Music
I don’t know why General Crook never became a star. Perhaps it was his unfortunate resemblance to creepy porn baron Ron Jeremy – a man who might well have shared his encouragement to “Gimme Some.”
 

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The Five Stairsteps were five teenage brothers and sisters nicknamed The First Family Of Soul – a title that would soon be passed on to The Jackson 5. (more…)

You hear the word ‘classic’ bandied about a lot but Express Yourself is a solid-gold soul and funk classic of the first order. (more…)

The most frightening musical term for me is “free jazz.” So it’s odd that I should enjoy this nine-minute noodle by the Art Ensemble of Chicago. (more…)

This old earworm has taken up residence in my head and it won’t go away. Which is annoying as I didn’t much like it way back in 1970. (more…)

If there was ever a competition to find the funkiest funkster in Funkville, then Sly Stone would be in the final funk-off, probably with George Clinton and Bootsy Collins. (more…)

David Bowie wrote this song when he was just 23 as a follow-up to his first hit Space Oddity, with Marc Bolan on guitar. (more…)

Gilbert O’Sullivan had his first hit with Nothing Rhymed, blending a carefully crafted image with perfectly presented pop songs. (more…)

McGuinness Flint revived the rootsy sound of jug bands and skiffle on the first of their only two hits, When I’m Dead And Gone, in 1970. (more…)