Amp Fiddler

I've been loving this man since 2002. Extraordinary talent--and he works closely with Moodymann (who I think is his brother..a theory)..anyway, that underground movement that he and Moodyman and Theo Parrish have going on is addictive. Period. I finally found Moodymann's stash today and have it downloaded. I just need to break the huge mp3 files up so I can get it into the player. Stay tuned. Enjoy~E

Joseph Amp Fiddler must wish Air Miles had been invented in the 70s. Throughout that decade he was circumnavigating America, firstly as a member of the hit-making doo-wop group Enchantment, then as part of George Clintons Parliament/Funkadelic. More than 20 years on and with record company backing for the first time hes pushing the sweet, seductive, soulful tones of Waltz Of A Ghetto Fly, his first proper album following 1990s prototype, With Respect.

"This is tight! Oh it's tight! And notice his brother on bass. Tell me that ain't Moodymann! (Randolph)..again, my theory."--edie

Steeped in the grand tradition of souls heyday, Fiddlers LP carries meaning in its grooves, its electric piano and languid vocals furnished with bright, playful, skilful lyrics. It also enlists the help of friends and family - Raphael Sadeeq and Moodymann share co-credits with Amps brother and son. His relationship with 13-year-old Dorian, a fledgling band member, is understandably significant. I came off the road after he was born, says Amp. I decided I wanted to be more responsible in his life. I didnt wanna spend time helping people who werent serious about music. I needed to concentrate on my own career, as opposed to supporting people who were getting large based on my help.

Amp Fiddler intends to stay in Detroit - his place in the sun - crafting records built to soothe and survive. Asked if he has an angry side thats kept hidden on Waltz Of A Ghetto Fly, he replies in firm, sea-deep tones; I dont let things bother me. Anger turns into stress, and stress turns into bad vibrations. Bad vibrations turn into bad energy, and bad energy turns into stomach aches. I dont let anything mean anything anymore. So despite giving up punishing tours, this most grounded of artists is determined to keep on moving. And this time, as he says himself, hell be taking the route of least resistance and keeping the soul intact. ~Nick Doherty

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Edie Antoinette on June 11, 2009 at 9:56pm

I have alot more but I'm sleepy~ Later then...~E

Permalink Reply by Lydell Jackson on June 13, 2009 at 2:20pm

Dis one funky mutha brotha!!!

Permalink Reply by Edie Antoinette on June 13, 2009 at 2:33pm

Bwaaaaa...you are SO Crazy!!!!!!!

Dis ma boi righ'chere!!!! Whew!!!

Permalink Reply by Dee M on June 14, 2009 at 10:51pm

Didn't realize your tastes were as Eclectic as mine...

Great Album...

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Quincy Jones is thoroughly entwined in the musical background of my young adulthood. A genius of unique quality. I have been posting blogs and music throughout the years and decided to embark on the arduous but satisfying task of gathering some of it to remember the excellent legacy that he left.

Maze Feel That You're Feelin
Maze Somebody Elses Arms
Maze Southern Girl
Cant Get Over You
Maze Golden Time Of Day

The history of the Butlers/Raw Soul is dense, but for all of us music nerds, that's normal. It is not totally clear what year the Butlers actually formed but they released their first single in 1963 on Liberty Records. That single was "She Tried To Kiss Me" and another single followed on Guyden entitled "Lovable Girl." After the Guyden single the Butlers took a break not recording another record until the single "Laugh, Laugh, Laugh" was released on the Phila label in 1966. The group also backed Charles Earland and Jean Wells on one Phila single ("I Know She Loves Me").

As you might be noticing, the Butlers were doing a fair amount of recording but not achieving much success. The group's recordings sold regionally but never had the promotion to make an impact on the national scene. After the single with Phila, the Butlers moved to the Fairmount label (part of the Cameo-Parkway family) and released a handful of singles, some being reissued singles of the past. The Butlers were with Fairmount for 1966-67 and then moved to Sassy Records. Sassy released the group's greatest single (in my opinion) "Love (Your Pain Goes Deep)" b/w "If That's What You Wanted." A copy of that 45 sold for just under $500 last summer on eBay. Even though that isn't that much in the world of record collecting--it's still a hefty sum. The Butlers released another single on Sassy ("She's Gone" b/w "Love Is Good") that appears to be even

harder to come by then the "Love (Your Pain Goes Deep)" single.

The true history become a bit blurred here as the AMG biography states that the Butlers last record was released on C.R.S. in 1974 (". However, between 1971 and that single, Frankie Beverly formed a group called Raw Soul and released a number of singles. Some of the songs recorded by Beverly during this period are "While I'm Alone," "Open Up Your Heart," (both on the Gregor label) and "Color Blind." "Color Blind" was released by the Eldorado label and rerecorded by Maze. Beverly's big break came when Marvin Gaye asked Raw Soul to back him on a tour. Gaye helped Beverly/Raw Soul get a contract at Capitol. Beverly decided to take the group in a different direction, a name change occurred, and Maze was created.

The above isn't the most complete history of Beverly but hopefully someone will know a way to get in touch with the man or his management because a comprehensive pre-Maze history needs to be done on Frankie Beverly (his real name is Howard, by the way). Below you'll find every Frankie Beverly (pre-Maze) song available to me right now ("Color Blind" will be up soon).

If you have a song that is not included below, shoot it over to funkinsoulman (at) yahoo.com and it will go up in the next Frankie Beverly post (later this week--highlighting Maze). Also, if you have any more information please share your knowledge. The Butlers material has been comp-ed sporadically (usually imports) but the entire Maze catalog has been reissued and is available.

Enjoy. "She Kissed Me" (Fairmount, 1966 or 1967)

"I Want To Feel I'm Wanted" (not sure which label or year) "Laugh, Laugh, Laugh" (Phila, 1966) "Because Of My Heart" (Fairmount, 1966 or 1967)

"Love (Your Pain Goes Deep)" (Sassy, 1967)

"If That's What You Wanted" (Sassy, 1967)

Frankie Beverly is one of those cats that has lasting power. He started in the music business doing a tour with doo wop group the Silhouettes and then formed his own group called the Blenders. The Blenders never recorded a single, Beverly wouldn't appear on wax until forming the Butlers a few years later. Along with Beverly, the Butlers included Jack "Sonny" Nicholson, Joe Collins, John Fitch, and Talmadge Conway.

Beverly would later enjoy great success fronting Maze and Conway would become a

well-known penning Double Exposure's

"Ten Percent" and the Intruders' "Memories Are Here To Stay."

While Maze is a phenomenal group, Beverly's work before that group will always stand out as his best (imo).

The Butlers produced tunes that most Northern Soul fans would kill for and Raw Soul gave the funksters something to pursue. The Butlers recorded their first single in 1960 titled "Loveable Girl". Left to right John Fitch, T Conway, Frankie Beverly, Sonny Nicholson and Joe Collins.