We don't have any current info on the whether the band is recording or not. Over the last few years we have heard various reports about different projects and it's safe to say the band is still spending some time in the studio. But to what end and if there will ever be a release of new studio material - we can't say.
Yes, they've been playing regularly around the states over the last few years, mostly at outdoor street festivals and indoor private parties. The core of the band is Diamond on drums, Sugar on guitar and vocals, Chet on guitars, "CD" Kuumba Jones on percussion, Ronald "Nookie" Nooks on keys and vocals, and Darwin Dortch on bass. They often play with a horn section as well. Try checking WFNK.com's LiveFunk Database for current tourdates. Sorry, we don't have any current contact info for booking.
Satch and PeeWee have passed, Satch in 1996 and PeeWee in 1997. Marshall is retired and living in the states, and Merv is a businessman living in Australia. In the summer of 1999 he granted an exclusive interview with WFNK.com - you can read it here.We just received a report that Billy is living in Texas and is about to release a new album. Junie Morrison is living in Toronto and is involved in managing up and coming acts. As stated above, Diamond, Sugar, Chet, and Kuumba are still active members of the band.
This is by far the issue that generates the most email - the rumor that you can hear a woman screaming in the percussion breakdown of "Love Rollercoaster" on 1975's Honey. First off - it's a rumor and it's variations are all untrue. No one was murdered or even beat up at the recording session, at least not that we know of ;-)
The most popular rumor states that a girlfriend of one of the recording engineers was murdered in the studio next to the one OP was recording in, and somehow her scream made it onto OP's tape. A popular variation on that is that the model for the cover of Honey was badly burned in the photoshoot and when she threatened OP's manager with a lawsuit he killed her in the studio! We've also heard that the band themselves killed her because she was a groupie that would not leave them alone, and other less interesting versions.
The truth as we've heard from several sources is this - the scream is really there on the track, but it's Billy Beck screeching off-mike and they decided to leave it on to give the song a looser feel. There are plenty of these types of casual slips on OP's records. During performances I've seen of this song Billy Beck screams and laughs during the percussion break. The band stated that they were big fans of the "Paul is dead" hype The Beatles were able the generate, so when a popular DJ began spreading the rumor they made a decision to remain quiet to add to the hype. It worked!.
Yes and yes. The movie "Mr. Mean" was released in 1977 and stars Fred Williamson. It's a typical mid-seventies blaxploitation flick with Mr. Mean cracking lots of skulls and sleeping with lots of white women. OP is in the beginning of the movie playing a club that Mr. Mean is hanging at. Satch even has a line of dialog with Williamson, and Williamson delivers a classic "what's up, Brother Satch?" ! You might be able to find a copy at a used record and video store for a few bucks.
Sugar was by most accounts an original when it came to the funky "oww" tenor singing that became commonplace by the late 70's, and most noticably used by Larry Blackmon of Cameo. Sly Stone used the style in the early 70's but not consistently. To actually be the first one to do something with your voice is nearly impossible, but Sugar was the first to employ it as his entire style and not a vocal trick or punctuation. If you enjoy that style of singing you can also check out Cameo, the Commodores, and the Bar-Kays.
Word has it Sugar has never felt truly appreciated for his vocal stylings. Sugar also virtually trademarked the "woo-woo-woo-woo!" heard on Fire and is the only soul/funk player we have ever heard that often would scat sing with his guitar note for note. That is quite unique and amazing.
First off, don't ask us for them. There is nothing like picking up the record for yourself (or CD if you must).We've had lots of luck sifting through bins at used record stores. Plus, most of the Mercury records are available on CD at RazUp Records. The Westbound stuff has also been released on CD but is a bit harder to find. LP's like Rattlesnake and Mr. Mean are very difficult to find.
Raz-Up! Inc. is a new media production company that focuses on promoting the funk, soul, fusion, and black rock market culture and artists online. We hope to shout it out loud enough to bring the genius that many of these artists created to the forefront of american music history. Too many people are unable to get beyond nostalgia or downright mockery of the fashions and sounds to appreciate the importance and influence funk and soul artists have to this day. WFNK.com is our largest site, featuring daily funk news, tourdates, reviews, interviews, and more. Other sites of ours include The Enfunklopedia, Muggbone.com, RazUp Records, and The WFNK Radio Nutwork.
