Where Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys left off is exactly the spot where Kool and Together was born. For the Sanders brothers, the screams of Psychedelic Rock met with Motown’s funky Soul at a crossroads called Black Rock—a mixture of two genres that few were bold enough to attempt and even fewer possessed the technical ability to master. At the same time groups like Black Merda were crafting their take on Black Rock in Detroit, Kool and Together were blazing their own path with distortion pedals and lyrics about social turmoil in the most unlikely of places, a small, dusty town in South Texas. This set collects the best of Kool and Together’s 1970’s recordings including material from their little-heard private press 45’s, demos and an explosive previously unreleased set of Black Rock. While searching for the reel for their Deep Funk classic, “Red Hot Stove,” a trove of unreleased material was discovered and Kool and Together’s true modus operandi became clear. Their impulse wasn’t to follow convention but to build an original, distinct soundscape. Songs like “Get Your Feet Off the Ground” and “I Know” represent a seamless, soulful fusion of Funk and Psychedelic Rock.
Digging deeper into the Sanders family’s demos and home recordings revealed even further evidence of their talent and seemingly limitless inspiration. Recorded when the Sanders brothers were still teenagers, the rehearsal workouts heard on “Escapism Beat” and “Nassau Beat” are some of the most searing, uncut Funk ever caught on tape. By the late-70’s, Kool and Together had shifted their sound, recording and self-releasing prime cuts of Disco and Modern Soul. Included with the essentially unheard singles, “Black Snow” and “Hooked on Life” are stellar previously unreleased demo recordings of the Soul anthem, “Better Days” and the proto-Rap jam, “Blow it Out Your Mind.” Comes with deluxe packaging printed with copper metallic ink and has extensive historical notes and unpublished photos with 13 previously unreleased tracks.
Thanks very much, looks great!
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