California Soul - Funk & Soul From The Golden State 1967-1976 Various Artists (States & Regions)

£12.56

Genre:
Funk
Label:
BGP
Format:
CD
Catalogue Id:
CDBGPD 298

This product is also available in these versions:
California Soul - Funk & Soul From The Golden State 1967-1976 (MP3), MP3 (£7.99)

A selection of rare funk and soul from America’s West Coast.

There is a Californian myth of sun, sand and tanned blondes of both sexes enjoying a life of carefree exuberance. For black America, the Golden State offered a different dream and throughout the 20th century the lure of a booming economy attracted millions to the most populous state in the Union. Where there is money, an entertainment industry invariably appears to relieve people of it, and all over California– especially in Los Angeles and San Francisco’s Bay Area – clubs, bars and record labels sprang up. In the immediate post-WWII years these attracted black musicians from all over the country hoping to make their fortune.

The boom years of the 40s and 50s were followed by a decade when social problems from elsewhere in the country arrived to pierce the dream. Independent labels had a hard time competing with the resurgent majors and super-independents such as Imperial owned by white entrepreneurs. The black scene was pushed underground.

But with many years experience behind them, musicians, songwriters and record men continued doing what they were doing – forever hoping the next success, the big break, was on its way. Stevie Wonder was recording at the Record Plant; with a bit of luck, next it could be them. This is the spirit captured on “California Soul” – club singers, former doo woppers, bands of kids off the streets all hoping to break out of their day-to-day life. If it didn’t work out, at least make a living doing something they enjoyed.

We have an amazing selection of funk and soul contained within the 20 tracks. From the Soul Sensations’ ballad ‘When I Had You, Baby’ – one of the finest examples of harmony singing you will ever hear – to the raw street funk of Little Johnny Hamilton’s two-part ‘The Git Down’ and everything in between, this represents the best music coming out of California at the time. Who could ignore the exceptional ‘Butterfly’ by the Ballads or the Brenton Wood-composed ‘Strike’ by Union featuring the vocals of Gail Anderson.

Also present are some previously unreleased masterpieces, great Temptations-style vocal funk and club classics such as Brenda George’s ‘What You See Is What You’re Gonna Get’. Some of these artists went on to bigger things; others drifted away from the business when success didn’t come their way. I’d argue that what we have here is their finest work.

Dean Rudland

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Track listing

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Side 1

  • 01 Preview If She Wants To Go - Choice Of Colors

  • 02 Preview Just Ain't My Day - The Entertainers IV

  • 03 Preview What You See Is What You're Gonna Get - Brenda George

  • 04 Preview Strike - Union

  • 05 Preview Think People - Z.Z. Hill

  • 06 Preview The Git Down (Part 1) - Little Johnny Hamilton & The Soul Pack

  • 07 Preview The Git Down (Part 2) - Little Johnny Hamilton & The Soul Pack

  • 08 Preview The Feeling - Calif. Soul Explosion vocal Wylie Trass

  • 09 Preview The Man (Y'All Keep On Watching You) - Jesse & Anita

  • 10 Preview Thank You For The Party - Chucky Thurmon

  • 11 Preview When I Had You, Baby - Soul Sensations

  • 12 Preview Butterfly aka I Wish I Knew - The Ballads

  • 13 Preview Funky With My Stuff - The Natural Resources Unpolluted

  • 14 Preview I'm Gonna Speak Out - Eddie Horan

  • 15 Preview Check Me Out - Little Denise

  • 16 Preview Hang Up (Part 1) - Warm Excursion (Terrible Three)

  • 17 Preview Pickin' Cotton - Johnny Talbot & De-Thangs

  • 18 Preview Tuned In, Turned On - Alvin Robinson

  • 19 Preview Is It Worth It All - Eleanor Rigby

  • 20 Preview The Sneak - The Douzer

  • 21 Preview You Don't Know (The Damage You've Done) - Vernon Green & the Medallions

  • 22 Preview Earthquake - Rulie Garcia

Delivery & Returns

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We offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.

We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.

In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.

You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.

Press quotes

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A superb selection of independent label West Coast soul from the late 60s and early 70s ★★★★

Record Collector

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