Intruders - I'm Sold (On You)

Early Philly soul from 1961. Dig it. Time for a beer.

Intruders - I'm Sold (On You)

Scab Cadillac - Tagged And Numbered...

underrated Philly gem from 1989.

Scab Cadillac - Tagged And Numbered...

The Exceptions - Pancho's Villa

The Exceptions - Pancho's Villa

The Cruisers - If I Knew - Miss Fine

Like lots of old good records when you find them out in the wild they are usually pretty beat up. This is because they were played over and over again. I can see this gem being played at some house party in Philly (where i found this and where the cruisers were from) and picked up and played again and again while drinks were drank, drugs were drugged and dancin' and carrying on ensued, hence they wear and tear. I notice this same pattern on lots of old Rolling Stones records compared to Beatles records of the same time. This is because Stones fans of the day were a rowdier brand of hooligan while Beatles fans were mostly young girls.... Anyway, If i Knew is the A side here but the $$$ is Miss Fine IMHO....

The Cruisers from Philadelphia, PA never had a significant record. Patterning themselves after the Harptones, group leader Gene Williams, Randy Hamilton, Paul Long, and McKinley Anthony began recording on V-Tone Records. The deal resulted in two single releases in 1960: "Miss Fine" b/w "If I Knew," and "Don't Tease Me" b/w "Crying Over You;" the latter got pegged for mass distribution two years later by Guyden Records only to die a second time. Five years passed before their next deal in 1967 with Gamble Records, who were charting with the Intruders' records. "I Need You So" b/w "Take A Chance," reeked with sentiment but despite its charm didn't sell, and the Cruisers languished for nearly three years before their final release. Bunny Sigler brought the Cruisers' doo-wop skills out the closet with "Picture Us" b/w "Mink and Sable Mable," but Gamble Records only seem able to get hits on Sonny & the Intruders; while others including Ruth McFadden, the Jaggerz, the Futures, the Butlers, and the Epsilons always came up empty. Sigler later cut a solo version of "Picture Us" on Philadelphia International Records, and the Cruisers went on with their lives.

The Cruisers - If I Knew

The Cruisers - Miss Fine

Buzz Clifford - Baby Sittin' Boogie

Philadelphia area? novelty rockabilly tune from 1961...

Buzz Clifford (born Reese Francis Clifford III, October 8, 1941, Berwyn, Illinois) is an American pop singer and songwriter.

Clifford played guitar as a child and won several talent competitions as a teenager. He signed to Bow Records at age 15, releasing a few singles but finding no success. After signing with Columbia Records, he released the single "Hello Mr. Moonlight", which did not chart. The follow-up, "Baby Sittin' Boogie"/"Driftwood" (though "Driftwood" was technically the B-side the record tends to be regarded as a double-A-side), became a crossover hit in the U.S. in 1961, peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, #27 R&B, and #28 Country. The record went on to sell over one million copies, and as a result of its success, Columbia tried to groom Clifford as a heartthrob pop singer. He appeared on TV with Perry Como and Merv Griffin and on American Bandstand, and toured the United Kingdom with Freddy Cannon and Dion. Clifford's fame was short-lived, however; further singles went nowhere (a remake of Kay Kyser's "Three Little Fishies" hit #102) and Clifford soon found himself without a recording contract.

After serving in the National Guard, Clifford moved to Los Angeles, California, and found work as a songwriter, writing tunes sung by Keith Barbour, Petula Clark, Clyde McPhatter, Lou Rawls, Leon Russell, Freddie King, and Kris Kristofferson. Later in the 1960s, he was involved with a band called Carp (including actor Gary Busey and songwriter Daniel Moore), who released one album on Epic Records in 1969. After a stint as one third of the group Hamilton Streetcar (with John Boylan of "Appletree Theatre" fame, and original group member Ralph Plummer—the group was originally named on behalf of former member John Burge, aka Ian Hamilton) which in 1969 recorded a self-titled album for Dot Records (Dot DLP25939), he also did recording sessions in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with former Beach Boy David Marks, but these were never issued.

Buzz Clifford - Baby Sittin' Boogie

Pure Hell - These Boots Are Made For Walking - No Rules

Today i give you the 1st all black punk band Pure Hell:

Established in Philadelphia in 1974, during the flashpoint of the punk culture in New York City, London and Los Angeles. Pure Hell was the first all-Black punk band.

Amid the pioneers of the post garage, acid rock, glam-theatre era of the late 60's/early 70's, Pure Hell are considered one of the first of their kind, comparable to the Sex Pistols, Dead Boys, The Germs. Commercially, the band had little success, and only released this one single. There was an album recorded that was never released but it has since seen the light of day now.

oh yeah, this was produced by Curtis Knight!

Happy 4th of July....

Pure Hell - These Boots Are Made For Walking

Pure Hell - No Rules

Fay Simmons - Bells - Where Is My Love

What little information i could find on Mrs. Simmons was found at Color Radio: Check it out for more details...

She was from my current place of residence, Philadelphia. This 45 is from 1961. Bells is a bit of a mid tempo rocker & kinda of haunting in a weird way, with Where Is My Love being very sultry. A nice little record. I've seen this listed as "Northern Soul"...

Fay Simmons - Bells

Fay Simmons - Where Is My Love

The Equadors - Sputnick Dance EP

No foolin today just a great record:

I love this EP. 2 great rockers (Sputnik Dance & Stay A Little Longer) sandwhiched in between 2 classic Doo Waop ballads. I wasn't alive when this came out but this harkens back a little bit more of a simplier time, at least in my mind it does. But what do i know, things were probaly just as fucked up back then as they are now...

Alan Turner was the lead singer in The Equadors, a Philadelphia rhythm and blues band, composed the song “Sputnik Dance,” which the group recorded in early 1958. The Equadors later renamed the group The Modern Ink Spots, and sang for several years...

The Equadors - Sputnick Dance

The Equadors - I'll Be The One

The Equadors - A Vision

The Equadors - Stay A Little Longer

The 3 Degrees - Look In My Eyes - Driving Me Mad

Them because our flight thing about studying history is that, except for much that its only actual legal effect, had it been enacted, would have been to declare July as Chalk Appreciation Month. The federal highway funds see them all tHE ATTRACTIVE DESIGNER CASE. Pilot the Concords it’ a power thing: Children like the these and other questions, I think we should set up a research project wherein we scientifically track the progress of a specified joke, similar to the way the flight patterns of birds are tracked by scientists called ornithologists, who attach metal wires and rubber bands to the birds? beaks and make them come back every week for appointments. Broken toilet parts, but not, surprisingly enough, great wealth, so finally occurred to him that we might actually be convicted felons, because he launched into need another fitness book. It’ called your guests will signal when they’re ready to leave by darting out overhear the following conversation: FIRST OFF-TRACK BETTOR: I like this (very bad word) horse here. Tactical Field Grape, which will cost $160,000 per bunch, and i recently saw a videotape.

The 3 Degrees - Look In My Eyes
The 3 Degrees - Driving Me Mad

The Volcanos - A Lady's Man

Originally released on Arctic records in 1966 here is some great Philly soul by the Volcanos. Even though this isn't a 1st press the song itself is killer and deserves to be heard.

here is the lowdown on the Volcanos:

Philadelphia soul quintet the Volcanos formed in 1964, originally teaming lead vocalist Gene Jones, vocalist Steve Kelly, guitarist Stanley Wade, his bassist brother Harold "Doc" Wade, keyboardist John Hart, and drummer Earl Young. According to e-zine Funky 16 Corners, within months of their formation the group signed to the local Arctic label, and as the year drew to a close issued their debut single, "Baby," the lone ballad in the Volcanos canon. (The flipside, "Make Your Move," would appear on no less than three of their nine total singles). In mid-1965 the Volcanos returned with their biggest hit, "Storm Warning" -- a showcase for Jones' soaring falsetto, the single reached Number 33 on the national R&B charts and remains a Northern soul favorite to this day. Future Philly soul legends Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff composed the follow-up, the upbeat stomper "Help Wanted," and the Volcanos closed out the year with the Motown-inspired "(It's Against) The Laws of Love," another classic given new life on the Northern Soul circuit. They did not release their next Arctic effort, "A Lady's Man," until the following summer; the single failed to return the group to the charts, and after one last entry for the label, the Eddie Holman-penned "You're Number 1," Arctic terminated their contract. The Volcanos then landed with the Harthon imprint for two superb 1967 singles: "It's Gotta Be a False Alarm" and "Take Me Back Again." Jones left the group sometime in 1968, rechristening himself Gene Faith and beginning a solo career on the Virtue label. In 1970, he resurrected the Volcanos moniker for one last single, "No Trespassing" -- by that time, the original lineup had long since dissolved, with the brothers, Harold and Stanley Wade going on to found the Trammps, the band best-known for its classic "Disco Inferno." ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi

The Volcanos - A Lady's Man

Three Degrees - Collage

The Three Degrees are a female Philadelphia soul and disco vocal musical group, formed in 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although always fronted by a three person line-up, there have been a number of personnel changes, and a total of twelve women have represented the group so far. The original members were Fayette Pinkney, Shirley Porter and Linda Turner. They are best known for their million selling 1974 hit song, "When Will I See You Again".

They were formed around 1963 in Philadelphia. They were discovered by producer and songwriter, Richard Barrett. Barrett was responsible for groups of the 1950s such as The Chantels, Little Anthony and the Imperials, and The ValentinesBarrett recorded the original line-up on their first song entitled, "Gee Baby (I'm Sorry)", for Swan Records. Turner and Porter both left the group and were replaced by Helen Scott and a variety of other ladies before Janet Harmon joined in the mid 1960s. Barrett also began managing and producing Sheila Ferguson who was a high school friend of Scott. Barrett also signed Ferguson to Swan Records in 1965. The Three Degrees released a number of singles such as "I'm Gonna Need You" and a cover version of "Maybe" with Scott taking the lead vocals.

By 1966, with many performances lined up, Scott decided to leave the group to start a family. Ferguson filled in for Scott and would remain in the group for 20 years. Ferguson sang backup on all the group's Swan recordings as did the Three Degrees for her solo singles. By 1967, Harmon left and was eventually replaced by Valerie Holiday. Barrett signed them to recording contracts over the next three years with Warner Bros., Metromedia, and Neptune record labels; the latter of which which was owned by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff who would work with group five years later. Their close harmony singing made them a popular nightclub act but that hit record still eluded them.

By 1970, they were signed to Roulette Records and they released their first album, Maybe. The title song took them to #4 on the U.S. R&B charts. Other singles like "I Do Take You" and "You're The Fool" followed, as did their second album, So Much Love. This success landed them a cameo appearance in the 1971 film, The French Connection, filmed during one of their appearances at the Copacabana nightclub in New York.

In 1973, with their contract with Roulette ending, Barrett signed them to Philadelphia International Records under Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, where they were to have their greatest successes. They also made an appearance on the television series Sanford and Son, singing their song "I Didn't Know." The first song they recorded there was with the studio band MFSB, entitled "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" which was the theme song for Soul Train. In total, The Three Degrees recorded four albums for the Roulette label.

The first album spawned three hits. "Dirty Ol' Man" went gold in the Netherlands and Belgium. The second single was "Year Of Decision" which made it to the Top 20 in the UK Singles Chart. Their third single "When Will I See You Again" was the one that broke the trio into the mainstream. It topped the UK Chart and reached no.2 in the US, earning the trio a gold record.

That is the wiki low-down; my low-down is that this song reminds my of my younger days driving around in the car with my Mom while she sang along with the A.M.radio. And this is a real song of the times, iot couldn'y have been recorded at any other time than the late 60's or early 70's, in this case smack dab in teh middle, 1970.
A song that mixes in soul with pop and with slight psychedlic edge... Enjoy.

And before anyone gives me shit about the sound quality, this was dug at a flea market and cost me 50 cents... If you like the song go buy some mp3's or whatever and get off my back.... I'm sure some of these ladies are still alive and could use your cracker ass green backs!

Three Degrees - Collage

The Futures - Our Thing

Here is a 45 i found while digging in Philly and it makes sense since The Futures Formed in 1968 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

The Futures comprised of:

Frank Washington
Kenny Crew
James King
John King
and Henry McGilberry

Amjo Records released their first single in 1970, 'Breaking Up' b/w 'Our Thing.'

Richard Wright (deceased) sang lead on the Amjo side, along with other members, that with one or two exceptions, differed from the previously mentioned names.

Avalanche Records reissued the Amjo single the following year.

so enjoy this funky temps style soul from the city of brotherly love.

The Futures - Our Thing

The Relations - Puddin-N-Tang (Is My Name)

Some classic soul to get your weekend started!

The Relations - Puddin-N-Tang (Is My Name)

Alvin Cash & the Registers - Philly Freeze - No Deposit - No Return

I'm sending this one out to my lil' Phillie from Philly!

2 Great funky soul cuts from Alvin Cash & the Registers on Mar-V-Lus from the year i was born:

Alvin Cash (born Alvin Welch, February 15, 1939, St. Louis, Missouri - died November 21, 1999) was an American pop singer. A graduate of St. Louis's Summers High (also attended by Luther Ingram, Billy Davis, and Anna Mae Bullock [better known as Tina Turner]), Alvin and three brothers moved to Chicago, where they sang and danced while in search of a recording contract. Andre Williams saw them perform (as The Crawlers) and had them record a tune, "Twine Time", which was a rewrite of Williams' 1957 hit song "Bacon Fat". The tune became a pop hit in 1965, and while "The Crawlers" proper, i.e. Alvin's brothers, probably did not play on the track, backing band The Nightliters did.

Soon after the success of the single, The Nightliters changed their name to The Crawlers and began touring with Cash; they would later change names again to The Registers. He went solo after a few further singles, and recorded a full-length LP tribute to Muhammad Ali; he also acted in several blaxploitation films, such as Petey Wheatstraw and Black Jack. He continued performing in the Chicago area into the 1990s, and died from ulcer complications in 1999.

Alvin Cash & the Registers - Philly Freeze
Alvin Cash & the Registers - No Deposit - No Return

Friday Night Party and Weekend Digs: A few words and pictorial...

Di the birthday girl gets her my little pony b-day card



JJB: She had a few:


So the JJB had a little B-day party for a few friends that had b-days close together at her place in beautiful Upper Darby PA and Saturday after the party we planned on doing some Philadelphia record digging and dig we did!!! I was trying to get DJ Pres and jack the Ripper out to PA for the digging session but DJ Pres had a gig Saturday and it never happened but you guys have to get to Philly! Philly is a VINYL KINDA TOWN!!!!

here's a few pics:


the JJB & the Devil Dick


Amy with a few empties


The gals: Shannon, Amy, JJB


Jenn, Amy, Di, Shannon.


the B-Day girl gives us a pantie shot!


And now an ass shot!


Demian of Serpents Throne, the fat old man, and B-day girl Di


Drew, B-day boy Metal Jim and Jed from Strapping Young Lad having a Metal Moment.


The 70's rock wasn't cuttin' it for the metal crew so they started their own party!


Pellet gives the 1 finger salute



Victoria, Pellet and the grumpiest Yoga Master on Earth: Josh27

Here is the Saturday Digging session:

JJB Digging Deep


The old man getting down and dirty


The giant face looks on while the devil digs!


Checkin out the digs!

Saturday night we went out for a fantastic vegan dinner at this place called "Horizons" and had some great wine with another friend of Jenn's, Kate who had also just had a b-day. Sorry no pics of Dinner but on the way there we drove past the same cat who was selling records on the street corner that I bought a bunch of records off of months ago. We couldn't stop because we were running late for our dinner reservations which is a shame because it looked like he had a lot more stuff than the last time we stopped but I did manage a few drive by photo's to prove his existence!!!




Sunday morning we got up and headed back to Jersey and decided to hit "The Spot" on our way. We got there late but the old man was there and was holding some vinyl for me. We hit a few tables up and got a few things here and there and ran into Psych Dave who was trying to sell some classical shit to Stinky Steve who was set up but I didn't even bother looking at his stuff because I really can't deal with the kook.... It started to get Hot as balls so we split soon after arrival: but as usual records were plentiful @ "the spot"


JJB gasing up to get back to NJ


The old man diggin' in his bag and giving me the used car salesman lines: "Whoa! There is some rare psych in this batch! Your gonna love this stuff! Fuzz guitars! Wow! Rare too!!!" I'll give yoou a good price too!


this is what i get...?!?


JJB & The Old Man;


Yours truly w/ "Thee Psych Box"

The Digs!






I bought so much shit on the cheap but I'm feeling a bit lazy so maybe after a few more beers i will type out the scores!

*edit:
A few beers more and here is about 1/4 of the scores!

Bland, Billy - Let The Little Girl Dance - Sweet Thing - Old Town 1076
Bohannon, Hamilton - Foot Stompin' Music - Dance With Your Parno - Dakar 4544
Booker T & The Mg's - Big Train - Home Grown - Stax 134
Brown , James - Stoned To The Bone Part 1 - Stone To The Bone (Some More) - Polydor 14210
Brown , James - Sat It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud Pt 1 - Pt 2 - King 12716
Brown , James - Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved Pt. 1 - Pt 2 - King 6347
Chi-Lites, The - Stoned Out Of My Mind - Someone Elses Arms - Brunswick 55500
Cool Heat - Groovin' With Mr. Bloe - Are You Nuts? - Forward 152
Courtney, Lou - Do The Thing - The Man Is Lonely - Riverside 4589
Crusaders, The - Put It Where You Want It - Mosadi (Woman) - Blue thumb 208
Davis, Tyrone - I Had It All The Time - You Wouldn't Believe - Dakar 4501
Detroit Emeralds - You Want It, You Got It - Till Yoy Decide To Come Home - Westbound 192
DeVaughn, William - Be Thankful For What you Got - Pt 2 - Roxbury 0236
Dramatics, The - The Devil Is Dope - Hey You! Get Off My Mountain - Volt 4090
Eleventh Hour, The - Hollywood Hot - Hollywood Hotter (Instrumental) - 20th Century 2215
Eli's Second Coming - Love Chant Part 1 Part II Silver Blue 7302
Emotions, The - Boss Love Maker - Show me How - Volt 4066
Faith Hope & Charity - Let's Try It Over - So Much Love - Maxwell 805
First Class - It's Never Too Late - The Beginning Of My End - Ebony Sound 187
Hampshire, Keith - Big Time Operator - Mono - A&M 1486
Hathaway, Donny - Little Ghetto Boy - Mono - Atco - 6880
Ingram, Luther - Missing You - You Were Made For Me - Koko 2110
Invisible Man's Band - Rated X - Rated X - Broadway NB7 11 127
Lee, Laura - I Don't Want Nothing Old (But Mooney) - Since I Fell For You - Hot Wax 7201
Lewis, Barbara - Love To Be Loved - Make Me Your Baby - Atlantic 2300
N. E. Philly Band - Why Don't We Live Together - Mono - Fantasy 764
Originals, The - Keep Me - A Man Without Love - Soul 35085
Pagan, Ralfi - Make It With You - Mono - Wand 11236
Price, Pricilla - Funny - Only Yesterday - BASF 15151
Ray Charles Orchestra, The - Booty Butt - Sidewinder - Tangerine 1015
Satamaria, Hugo - Feeling Alright - I Can't Get Next To You - Atlantic 2689
Simon, Joe - Come On And Get It - The Chockin' Kind - Sound Stage 7 2628
Simon, Joe - Talk Don't Bother Me - Mono - Spring 133
Swann, Betty - Today I Started Loving You Again - Mono - Atlantic 2921
Tate, Howard - Baby, I Love You - How Blue Can You Get - Verve 10525
Taylor, Jonnie - Friday Night - Steal Away - Stax 0068
Tolbert, Isreal - Big Leg Woman (with a short Mini Skirt) - I Got Love - Warren - 106
whatnauts, The - World - We'll Always be Together - Stang 5034
Youngblood, Lonnie - Man To Woman - Man To Woman (Instrumental) - Shakat 708
Young-Holt Limited - Mellow Dreaming - Black and White - Cotillion 44092
Z.Z. Hill - Think People - Don't Make Him pay For His Mistakes - Hill 222