Eddie Hubbard

Little Buck ( Edward Ross ) recorded a small but significant amount of recordings in New Orleans between 1966 and 1970 for Seven B and Instant ,they are gathered together here on this great album ,including his work with Huey Smith and seven previously unissued recordings .His most Indemand record is the heavyweight funk track “ Little Boy Blue “ which is presented in its original mono form ,plus a newly discovered stereo master .The flip side “ Whisper My Name “ is great Southern Soul .The second Seven B 45 is another great coupling of the funky “ Everybody’s Love “ flipped with the fantastic ballad “ Walking In The Mist “ that reminds me of Bobby Bland at his best .The Instant sides with Huey Smith “ You Got Too “ and “ You Ain’t No Hippie “ are great trademark New Orleans sides plus it’s flip “ Coo -Coo Over You “ which received a release on UK London is a slightly humorous track full of NO charm with great femme background vocals .The unissued “ I’m Your Little Chicken “ is a fine funk flavoured side ,the “ Untitled 1 “ is a fantastic slightly funky instrumental,plus two great ballads “ Starting With Today “ and “If I Could Do It All Over “ showcase Little Bucks soulful vocals . As always ,very informative sleeve notes by Dean Rudland and great label scans and artwork . SIDE A Little Boy Blue (original mono master) I'm Your Little Chicken* Untitled 1* You Got Too - Part 1 – Huey Smith & The Clowns featuring Little Buck You Got Too - Part 2 – Huey Smith & The Clowns featuring Little Buck Walking In The Mist Whisper My Name SIDE B Little Boy Blue (2024 Stereo master)* Everybody's Love Coo-Coo Over You – The Hueys featuring Little Buck Soul Brother Soul Sister* You Ain't No Hippie – The Hueys featuring Little Buck Untitled 2* Starting With Today* If I Could Do It Over* *Previously unreleased The Complete New Orleans Recordings by Little Buck https://charlyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-complete-new-orleans-recordings

Charly Records continue their GSF Records reissue programme with this new release ,originally issued in 1972 .”Free The Black Man’s Chains “ was an ambitious project to release a Black Opera ,no doubt encouraged by the rock operas “ Tommy “ and “ Jesus Christ Superstar “ which were in vogue at the time . The main vocalists are L.C.Grier ,who with The Grier Brothers had a fine release on the Philadelphia Melody label with “ Weeping Baby All The Time “ and Novella Edmonds a new name to me . Not surprisingly ,the lyrics on many of the songs have a strong social conscience ,black struggle theme ,which again was to the fore in 1972 .The strong musicians line up included some key names from Philly : Bobby Eli,Daryl Hall ,Don Renaldo ,Richard Rome ,Ron Baker ,Norman Harris and even Ray Charles on electric piano . The best songs for me are the powerful title track by L.C. Grier ,a powerful funk track which would go down a storm at the hard edged Funk events ,the beautiful “ Gone Is The Laughter Of You “ which also gained a 45 release on the Sunshine label ,and the duet of LC and Novella Edmonds on “ North To The Promised Land “ . Excellent in depth sleeve notes by Dean Rudland complete a really interesting release . Free The Black Man's Chains by The Afro-American Ensemble SIDE A L.C. GRIER - Free The Black Man's Chains L.C. GRIER - "Slave" I Wanna Be Free L.C. GRIER - It's A Sad Black World L.C. GRIER AND NOVELLA EDMONDS - North To The Promised Land (Big Black Man) NOVELLA EDMONDS - Black Is Black JR. GRIER - Fair Skin Man SIDE B L.C. GRIER - Gone Is The Laughter With You NOVELLA EDMONDS - Somebody Bigger Than You And I L.C. GRIER - Love (L.O.V.E.) L.C. GRIER - Tomorrow The Sun Will Shine L.C. GRIER - Soul President NOVELLA EDMONDS, L.C. GRIER - We Are Here (Finale) https://charlydirect.com/products/free-the-black-mans-chains