Song:Express Yourself
Album:Express Yourself: The Best Of Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band
Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band was a pioneering funk band of the late 60s. Express Yourself was probably their biggest hit and is frequently sampled by hip hop guys. Charles Wright was born 1940 in Clarksdale, MS and moved to Los Angeles as a teen. After playing guitar for various bands, he formed Charles Wright & The Wright Sounds in 1962. It would eventually become a large band with horns and had a regular gig at the Haunted House nightclub for three years. They signed with Keyman Records in 1967 and label owner Fred Smith came up with the 103rd Street name as a gag because of the constantly changing lineup. They had success locally but got their big break when Wright played on Bill Cosby's album Silverthroat. Cosby sang. Cosby got them a contract with Warner Bros. They had several hits in 1969 and Express Yourself was their biggest pop hit at #12. Things started to go south when guitarist Al McKay left to join Earth, Wind & Fire and then other members left. The band was finished in 1973. This comp is definitive. Express Yourself is constantly sampled by hip hop guys, most notably by N.W.A. in 1988. Wright still performs and records on his own label. Here' the video for Express Yourself by Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band.
Nice one. One of my favorite funk albums.
ReplyDelete