With all the digging I’ve got in lately, i’ve had so many new records to choose from, I thought I’d share this one with the growing audience I’ve been finding out Flea Market Funk has. The good Doctor G. over at Funky 16 Corners , Vincent at Fufu Stew, and Scholar at Souled On have been so kind to triple my traffic and throw some good vibes my way. I hope all who are reading and listening have enjoyed the last few artists I’ve shared as much as I did. Charles Wright is an old fave of mine, while Calvin Arnold and his funky way have me hooked on that funkay ass guitar. As I research each new artist, my enthusiasm for funk and soul has grown more than ever. For the life of me I don’t know why I didn’t do this earlier, but at any rate, I’m glad I started. This mid week dose from the Flea Market is from the The Continental Four, on Jay-Walking Records.
When I picked up this record, I threw it on the portable, heard a bit of dialogue, and passed it as some spoken word. It sounded interesting enough, and I figured I could use it on a mix CD as an intro and tossed it onto my pile. When I got it home to go through the 60+ 45’s, I put this record on. Man was I wrong. When the dialogue was finished, the song kicked in, and I was glad I had grabbed this baby.
A by-product of Harrisburg, PA record label Soulville, and created by Robert Fulton (a member of the “The Emperors” and “The Soul Exotics”), Jay-Walking was started to help the many recordings from Soulville artists get some much needed radio airplay. Fulton thought if he had artists on more than one label, he’d have a better chance of radio promotion. Fulton went on to find God, become a Baptist minister, and founded Gospel Music Ministries International, which he still works with today. Along the way, came the Continental Four. The Continental Four, lead by the falsetto of Freddie Kelly, had a 1971 single “Day By Day (Every Minute of the Hour)”, which reached numer 19 on the Soul charts. Often thought to be part of the Philly Sound (see Funky 16 Corners Philly Sound Mix), these guys weren’t really noticed out side of the tri-state area, unfortunately. Perhaps they just couldn’t compete with artists such as the Delfonics or the Stylistics. Then again, Jay-Walking was no Philly International or a label of that caliber. It’s a shame, but like any regional, small outfit, be it Funk or Soul, without the major record label dollars for distribution, your record stays in your area. 1972’s “Escape from Planet Earth” is one of those records, and here some 35 years later, it has only gone as far as Central New Jersey. I’m happy it showed up.
The song itself is a fuzzed out Soul groove that is reminiscent of Blue Magic, or if Cymande had they not locked in their signature funky sound and went down a straight Soul path instead. From the beginning countdown to their final escape from earth, there is this great flange throughout, and the groove is for sure guitar driven, not too Funkadelic, but just enough to let you know they knew who they were. I have contacted the Rev. Bobby Fulton in regards to Soulville/ Jay-Walking Records, so we’ll see whether or not I’ll be able to get some cool facts and photos from the Rev. On a closing note, it seems the our fellow blogger Oliver Wang over at Soul Sides has put out another “Deep Covers”(this being numero dos) record through Zealous Records out of NYC. Check out Oliver’s appearance on NPR this past week. Go to about 40 minutes in and you’ll hear him speak on some great cover tunes; funk, soul, and reggae. Keep Diggin’!
The Continental Four Escape from Planet Earth ripped from the Jaywalking 45
***UPDATE 05.01.07 Dr. Robert Fulton contacted me in regards to this post. He had this to say:
“Thanks for your inquiry of the Continental Four and for introducing me to your blog. I was really impressed! I’m always happy to hear interesting stories concerning Soulville-Jaywalking Records and artists. How you came about the Continental Four’s “Escape From Planet Earth” was interesting to me. If I might, I’d like to say concerning the Continental Four…(and borrowing the title to their second 45 “How Can I Pretend”), the Continental Four were not pretenders. They were for real. Musically and vocally, they were exceptionally unique and one of a kind. I was with them on the road and had opportunity to hear them sing often. Whether with some of Philadelphia’s finest musicians in the recording studio, on records, on stage with our band or in the car as we traveled, Freddie Kelly, Anthony Burke and brothers Larry and Ronnie McGregor were truly for real. They were amazing acapella, with a rhythm section or full orchestra. The Continental Four sound was always evident. They appeared with the great groups that you mentioned and with others as well and they always held their own and were well received. There was never any question in my mind whether they could compete. Well-known producer-arranger-songwriter-conductor, Bobby Martin, who was a major contributor to what became the Philly Sound discovered and brought the group to Soulville. They were from the Camden, New Jersey area and Freddie and Anthony were still in high school when they recorded. While big in the Tri-State area, the group had a growing presence elsewhere as well. Other factors impacted why the career of the Continental Four was brief. I’m attaching a couple of photos of the Continental Four that you may or may not have. The one I took of the group backstage during their very first appearance at the Apollo in New York. The other is one of their publicity photos. I hope that this bit of information is useful”
Here are the photos he provided:
The Previous two Photos Courtesy of Dr. Robert Fulton. Many Thanks!!!
Corners/ All Platinum
