Sometime in the 1960s Hank Mullen’s friend and fellow Buffaolian Carl LaRue, an organ player, traveled with his group (Carl LaRue and His Crew) all the way to Phoenix, Arizona, where he’d secured a steady gig as the house band at the local Zanzibar club. Soon after starting the job, he would invite a young (16yr & 19yr old) vocal duo to perform some of their original songs in front of his band during shows.
Ernest Johnson Jr. and Eddie (Edgar) William Campbell were eager to make it in music and for the next 10 odd years would attempt to do so.
They managed to record and release a handful of singles across varied imprints spread throughout the United States, from South Carolina to Chicago, from New York to Phoenix. One of their singles, “Time Waits for No One” hit #1 on New York’s WWRL, which subsequently landed on the bill at the Apollo, appearing alongside soul heavyweight’s Gene Chandler, Wilson Pickett, and the Temptations. Through ups and downs, none of their pair’s recordings ever served to catapult them to greater fame and sadly in the early 70’s, Eddie’s premature death would close the door on their partnership.
One of the duo’s last recordings, “Bullets Don’t Have Eyes” was never released at the time of its creation in 1972. The 45 was eventually released on Daptone imprint Ever-Soul in 2009.
Exclusive to the Super Soul Super Store, this 45 features a different b-side, “You Make My Life A Sunny Day,” a staff favorite here at House of Soul, and recently sampled by Jay Z & Beyoncé for The Carters’ “Lovehappy” on Everything Is Love (2018).
New Strapping Fieldhands album – available on the newly revived Omphalos label. Currently available only from Phila Record Exchange!
Huntertones brings people together around the globe with fun, imaginative and fearless music. Their high energy, horn-driven sound fuses inspired improvisation and adventurous composition melding jazz, funk, rock, and soul. Adding depth and contrast to their live set, Huntertones shift from a dynamic six-piece ensemble to a trio featuring saxophone, sousaphone, and beat-boxing, keeping their listeners’ eyes and ears open at every turn.
Huntertones formed in Columbus, Ohio at The Ohio State University and hosted their first shows at a house on Hunter Avenue. They have since relocated to New York City, released three albums, and toured North and South America, Europe and Africa — experiences which have pushed the band to expand even further, stylistically. What started as a group of classmates finding a voice has developed into a highly collaborative group of musicians traveling, sharing, and growing together.
Individually, members of Huntertones have compiled a diverse resume of collaborations with top artists in pop, jazz, soul, and musical theater. This includes work with Jon Batiste and Stay Human, O.A.R., Snarky Puppy, Stevie Wonder, Andy Grammer, Ed Sheeran, Allen Stone, Gary Clark Jr., Phillip Phillips, We Banjo 3, Umphrey’s McGee, Vulfpeck, and more.
Kermit Obert is a 23 year old songwriter and from Lawndale California, located in the south bay area of Los Angeles. His new album K.O is out via Killpop Records now!
Be sure to seek out these titles (and others) on Black Friday at your local independent record store — keep it independent!
Alice Cooper — Live From The Astroturf
Flamin’ Groovies — Live From Vaillancourt Fountain
Brian Auger and the Trinity — Berliner Jazzstage 1968
Holiday Blood 2018 (Columbus, OH market only)