The Story
| Release Date | 02/07/2021 |
| Format | LP |
| Label | Strut |
| Catalogue Number | STRUT254LP |
Strut presents the first full international release for another lost classic from the Black Fire Records archives, âSouthern Energyâ, the only album recorded by RânâB and jazz collective Southern Energy Ensemble in 1977.
Trumpeter Marvin Daniels had been drafted into the US army in Germany during the mid-â70s, playing in the military touring band 100% Pure Poison. Upon returning to Virginia State College, he met up with an old friend, saxophonist Al Clarke, and they began to form a new band, pulling together various students from the University including Nat Lee (keys), William âSpikeâ Johnson (drums and percussion) and Adolphus âPeddieâ Maples (percussion and vocals). âAs Southern Energy, we started playing the chitlin RânâB circuit and ended up gigging most weekends at clubs, universities and military bases in Virginia and North and South Carolina,â remembers Daniels.
After meeting Plunky Branch and Black Fire Records MD and producer, Jimmy Gray at a JuJu gig in Richmond, Virginia, Gray signed the band and they recorded some high energy sessions during 1977. âSouthern Energy was tight,â continues Daniels. âWe had great musicians and great vocalists in Judy Spears and Garrie Wayne, both vocal majors from Virginia State College. The album was all about positive messages and celebrating real people.â Tracks include the storming dancefloor jazz workout âThird Houseâ, the optimistic ballad âLooking Aheadâ and the extended funk anthem âF-U-N-K-Y âTil The Day I Dieâ.
The band would break up soon after the members left college. Daniels moved to Philadelphia to work with Evelyn âChampagneâ King in 1978 before co-founding Chops horns who would go on to become one of the most in-demand US session units of the â80s, working with Sugarhill Gang, The Police, The Rolling Stones and more. Maples would go on to play on sessions for Oneness Of Juju.
Canned following the original recording, the Southern Energy Ensemble album eventually surfaced on a limited CD and LP on Black Fire in 1993. Now receiving its first full international release, âSouthern Energyâ has been remastered from the original tapes by The Carvery. Package features unseen photos and brand new sleeve notes by co-bandleader Marvin Daniels. Released on CD, 1LP, digital and streaming.
TRACKLISTING:
A1. Open Your Mind
A2. F-U-N-K-Y âTil The Day I Die
A3. Third House
A4. Looking Ahead
B1. See Funk
B2. Energy
B3. The Best Part Of Me Southern Energy
Description
| Release Date | 02/07/2021 |
| Format | LP |
| Label | Strut |
| Catalogue Number | STRUT254LP |
Strut presents the first full international release for another lost classic from the Black Fire Records archives, âSouthern Energyâ, the only album recorded by RânâB and jazz collective Southern Energy Ensemble in 1977.
Trumpeter Marvin Daniels had been drafted into the US army in Germany during the mid-â70s, playing in the military touring band 100% Pure Poison. Upon returning to Virginia State College, he met up with an old friend, saxophonist Al Clarke, and they began to form a new band, pulling together various students from the University including Nat Lee (keys), William âSpikeâ Johnson (drums and percussion) and Adolphus âPeddieâ Maples (percussion and vocals). âAs Southern Energy, we started playing the chitlin RânâB circuit and ended up gigging most weekends at clubs, universities and military bases in Virginia and North and South Carolina,â remembers Daniels.
After meeting Plunky Branch and Black Fire Records MD and producer, Jimmy Gray at a JuJu gig in Richmond, Virginia, Gray signed the band and they recorded some high energy sessions during 1977. âSouthern Energy was tight,â continues Daniels. âWe had great musicians and great vocalists in Judy Spears and Garrie Wayne, both vocal majors from Virginia State College. The album was all about positive messages and celebrating real people.â Tracks include the storming dancefloor jazz workout âThird Houseâ, the optimistic ballad âLooking Aheadâ and the extended funk anthem âF-U-N-K-Y âTil The Day I Dieâ.
The band would break up soon after the members left college. Daniels moved to Philadelphia to work with Evelyn âChampagneâ King in 1978 before co-founding Chops horns who would go on to become one of the most in-demand US session units of the â80s, working with Sugarhill Gang, The Police, The Rolling Stones and more. Maples would go on to play on sessions for Oneness Of Juju.
Canned following the original recording, the Southern Energy Ensemble album eventually surfaced on a limited CD and LP on Black Fire in 1993. Now receiving its first full international release, âSouthern Energyâ has been remastered from the original tapes by The Carvery. Package features unseen photos and brand new sleeve notes by co-bandleader Marvin Daniels. Released on CD, 1LP, digital and streaming.
TRACKLISTING:
A1. Open Your Mind
A2. F-U-N-K-Y âTil The Day I Die
A3. Third House
A4. Looking Ahead
B1. See Funk
B2. Energy
B3. The Best Part Of Me Southern Energy
