Since becoming obsessed with the Big Ghost Chronicles, written anonymously by a Ghostface Killah-channeling genius, it’s hard not to call the Harlequins “shampoo-blooded” or simply “mad soft, b.” None the less, the University of New Jersey at Durham deserves some manner of acknowledgement for knocking the Tarheels off in the ACC Tournament last Sunday. I would call the Harlequins a poor man’s Four Freshman, but Duke University threatened to take legal action if I associated them with poor people. What deserves mention more so than this loofah-centric vocal ensemble is the backing prowess of the Harrison Register Quintet, comprised of Jim Crawford (tenor), John Ziolkowski (trumpet), Bobby Boyd (bass), Frank Bennett (drums), and Register himself on guitar. Bennett stands for having led the accomplished Duke Ambassadors a decade or so after Creed Taylor himself played trumpet in the seminal student ensemble. “Following an introduction by the Harlequins, a latin [sic] beat is the setting for this composition by arranger Wayne Barber.” Although the Harlequins have some serious pipes, and the Quintet some serious chops, they’re more like diet Carolina Soul. Carolina Soul-lite, Nahmean?
“I’ve Never Felt This Way Before” by the Harlequins
Saturday, March 5th, one college-basketball powerhouse will emerge ACC conference leader, and one will take an L in the anything-BUT-civil war that is Carolina v. Duke. As the moment of truth approaches, we need all the spirited wind that our Carolina-blue sails can withstand. Although fight songs like “Tarheel Stomper” pre-empted historic gameplay, others celebrate the certified triumphs of some of our most successful squads. Case in point: “Number One” by Hoke Simpson is a faux Calypso ode to the 1957 Championship Tarheels, a cluster of talented New Yorkers (still “works” for Duke) who eventually eked out a victory over Wilt Chamberlain’s Kansas squad in triple overtime. Colonial Records was home to Andy Griffith’s breakthrough concept monologue, “They Called It Football.” I like the part where he says “Big Ah-range Drank.” Colonial Records was owned by former Daily Tarheel Editor Orville Campbell, who can be seen here with his most successful act.
“Number One” by Hoke Simpson with Ken & Ralph, Roy & Jerry
Greensboro rapper Brandon D is basically the man. Here he is seen ringing up my purchase of Nixon’s Songs About Him at his independent music kiosk inside Hanes Mall, Winston-Salem. Similar transactions have transpired regularly between Brandon and I, from the trunk to the flea market, for several years now. Brandon Davis is second generation rap family here in the Carolinas. His uncle, “Fly” Eli Davis, was instrumental in bringing the Payroll Records roster to prominence in late-‘80s Greensboro, and presently manages Charlotte R&B phenom Anthony Hamilton. Although Brandon received major-label attention from a tailspinning Elektra, the independent rap game has afforded Brandon complete control of his craft, immortalized most recently in his top-grossing Carolina Legend mixtape and the autobiographical Purple Rain-style dramamentary, Trap Boomin’. My first exposure to Brandon was via 2005’s Carolinacentric classic, “Da Kak Joint,” which uses Billy Joel’s “Moving Out” to great effect. Yes, that Range Rover has a Brandon D graphic wrap, and yes the name of that store is Hood Locker. This is Greensboro. Get used to it.
Posted on Tuesday, March 01, 2011
by kirby at 07:25 PM.
Filed under:
Rap Music •
I’ve just completed my 9th Annual Carolina Soul “Thursday Night Feature” on WXYC 89.3 FM in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The program is available for download below, in three parts, and the playlist, annotated with links for further reading, follows.
Infinitie “Guess I’ll Get High (By Myself Again)” (Condaglo)
Something Special “Lose Myself in Your Love” (Condaglo)
Faze “Heart Wide Open” (Sound Star)
Saints “Feel Like Makin’ Love” (Sound Hut)
Saints “Love Can Be” (WigWam)
Saints “Tell It To Your Love” (Sound Hut)
Cornelius Crawford “Come on Back” (Entertainment Enterprises)
[talkset]
—————-
PART 2
—————-
Cal Brandon “I Kept on Smilin” (Hit Man) R.I.P. Cal “Skeeter” Brandon (1948-2008).
Free Spirit “No Finance - No Romance” (Greene’s) R.I.P. Cal “Skeeter” Brandon (1948-2008).
Satin Finish “Took a Chance on Love” (Green Back)
Renee “You Treat Me Bad” (McGregory)
Fewell Family “Heaven Was Made for Me” (Power)
Ulysses & Crystal “Tonight My Love” (Sail Away)
Mel-O-Madnezz “Beautiful Day” (M.O.M.)
Bobby Cutchins “I Did It Again” (Lasso)
[talkset]
Root Doctor & the Voodoo Men “Witchcraft Is My Thang” (Mister D)
Gilbert Barnes “It’s Our Thing Darling” (Kix International)
Chuck Wells “Railroad Blues” (ELL) Recent video of this artist.
Travis Ricks and the Pearls “Lost Pride” (Pride)
Evening Light Gospel Singers “Have Faith” (Goldleaf)
The Gospel Echoes “God Won’t Change” (Echoes)
The West Family Singers “God Can Do Anything But Fail” (no label)
[talkset]
—————-
PART 3
—————-
The Columbians “Stormy Monday” (Klub)
J. Wesly Smith with the Rubies Orchestra “Mama Laid The Law Down” (Merri)
Joey Graham & the Rubies Orch. “So What” (JCP)
Rick St. John “It ‘Sho’ Is Funky Down Here” (Nu-Beat)
Rick St. John “One Heart Hurting” (Independent)
The Fabulous Bowties “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” (Top Hat)
Jackie Cheeks “Can I Get to Know You” (Nebo)
Jackie Cheeks “Love Got a Hold on Me” (Pixxmattt)
Robert Lea & the Pack “I’m Gonna Get You” (Budweiser Showdown)
[talkset]
LMC Band & Show “Chopping Wood” (Mega Sound Studios)
Realistic Funk Band “Shock The House” (Mega Sound Studios)
Van Scott “Delicious” (VAAL)
Pilgrim Stars “Lord I Thank You” (Alpha)
Western Un-Yun “Do What You Like” (Choice Cut)
Lustre “Better Days” (‘Bout Time)
Bobby J. “Can I Come Over Tonight” (Prime Time) The artist’s Myspace page.
[talkset]
Kirby Hamilton “A Different Place” (Accent)
United Sounds “And When It’s Over” (United)
After sharing the tables with Nate Smith at last month’s How to Wreck a Nice Beach party, it was a delight and an honor to reunite over the airwaves of Duke University’s collegiate frequency, WXDU 88.7-FM. Winter recess was in full effect, and all but a few students had made their way back to the Garden State for the holidays. Parking was not a problem. Camel City sounds were requested and honored in a variety of flavors. This helpful playlist right here will help differentiate the 336s from the 919s from the 704s. With some creative clicking, you should be able to download the whole show directly to your walkman, or stream it live from Carolina Soul. Either way, we hope you enjoy. Requests lines are open!
Funk Disco Dance Friday, or FDDF, occurs every Friday from 6-8 pm on WXDU.
(Editors Note: These links have expired… Our apologies)
The Carolina Soul website serves as a living encyclopedia of soul music made in North and South Carolina. We strive to share Carolinian songs and stories of the last half century, and we invite the input of musicians and fans. We hope you will contact us if you have information on bands or recordings from the region.
