It's always been about the art. The artist's responsibility to the people. And the people's responsibility to support the art that sustains (and improves) the culture. Unfortunately, from this peculiar position from where we sit, there is the phenomenon of this huge ass middle man, a nefarious shape-shifting conglomerate of moneyed slaver characters who have controlled our music from the beginning.

Employing tactics inclusive of serfdom, slavery, addiction, crime family enforcements and even the kiss of death! Don't get me started. Whoops, I already have.

The great Jimi Hendrix spoke to us posthumously on this subject. "They'll wrap you in cellophane and sell you,” he sang from the grave, cluing us on how hard the majors (labels) play. The list of great players who have suffered foul play as a result is huge and scary. Just this past week a bait and switch undercover scheme was pulled on T.I. Take care ya homework, children!

The great strides that music history tells us were made by Satchmo, Diz, Bird, Monk, Max Roach, Miles, King Cole, Belafonte, Gordy, Ruth Brown, Ray Charles, Little Richard, Sly, Fela and Marley, among others, are continually relegated to mere asterisked glitches of accidental genius by some chroniclers of this rich lore.

If I can borrow the title of one of Lester Chamber's joints in this compilation. The whole system of music dispensation in America, historically has been Evil And Wrong.

Enter the maverick Davis Brothers. Not the blues brothers, they bear no resemblance to Amos and Andy either. Get it? If you hear any noise ...

I can only imagine the obstacles Soul-Patrol has had to face and will continue to overcome as long as it's breathing. What is clear is the Digital/Virtual Album concept is a brilliant stroke of marketing that presents the music responsibly to the people who then have a real say in defining our culture by supporting the artists. No American Idol Simon says Gospel this or that is ho hum but your dress size wins the prize, etc. ad nauseam.

I'd like to mention every artist that contributed to the Soul-Patrol.Com Digital/Virtual Album, but because of space and time constraints I can't. I will say that every artist contained therein deserves to be there and has the chops to prove it. I did listen to every song at least twice.

Got to give it up to the Groovemeister Chico Hamilton for all he has given and discovered along the way. From his first band in high school with the likes of Charles Mingus, Dexter Gordon and Illinois Jacquet, his Chamber Jazz Groups in the 1950s, his groundbreaking work in the 60s with Gabor Szabo and Charles Lloyd, Mr. Hamilton worked with everyone from Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, T-Bone Walker, through Billie Holiday, Lena Horne and Shuggie Otis. Chico Hamilton, like his octogenarian percussive peers Max Roach and Roy Haynes is truly a conquistador of layin' down that groove.

Must give praise to Public Enemy for not losing a step, beat or rhyme. The One Son Lion Ra & Lotus for a vision of what Hip Hop can be. The Mighty Dells for continuing to be the champions they are. The Coasters for showcasing the fact they they are not just a novelty act from the 50s. Lester Chambers for being a survivor. Ditto Mr. Waldo Weathers. Cutting edge Soul Patrollers Nadir and Marlon Saunders. Angel Risoff for being down with his sound. Jill Sharp for that Southern Soul Ann Peebles thang. Me'na for elevating. I want to compare her to June Tyson but I won't.

Lastly to all that funk that was represented; Munkeez Strikin' Matchez, Mike Calhoun & The Holy Ghost, Mandrill still on the front line, Neftali funkin' for the Lord. Now that I've started namin' names, I can't stop of my own accord. Just like the music. I'd like to go back and listen to the SOUL-PATROL.COM DIGITAL/VIRTUAL ALBUM one mo' gin just to get it scraight fo ya. But those darn Davis Brothers have moved the files and I kain't get back in. Y'all will have to check it out for yourself.

 

 

T. Watts writes about music and culture for Lake County News.

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