Chalky

Robert Montgomery A lost Georgian Soul Treasure Rediscovered. Robert, one of the Peach States more obscure recording artists, at one time having only been known to the most diehard 70’s soul collectors for his solitary Crescent label 45, “I Need You Girl”. Press Release: Robert Montgomery & Chain Reaction “I Need You Girl” SJ1007 Release Date: Monday January 30th 2017 Robert Montgomery is a Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Performer, Keyboard and Organ Instrumentalist, who began his music career in his early teens jamming with local bands in his small hometown of Rome, Georgia. His most exciting experience in those early days was with the formation of a band called “The Sons of Aries.” They performed a good blend of rock, soul, and jazz, keeping them very busy performing throughout the southeastern states of the US for a considerable time. However, they never gravitated to recording any original material, with the group eventually disbanding. It was then that Robert began to write his own songs. One such tune was the soulful “I Need You Girl,” a song based on personal experience with his lady and future wife Emma. By now in his early 20’s Robert was intent on becoming that solo artist that he always aspired to be. Hooking up with a crafty local businessman named Jeffrey Jackson Jr, He entered the studio and recorded “I Need You Girl,” using guys from his former group who were by that time called ‘Chain Reaction’. So the song was released on Jackson’s label, Crescent Records, but because of a shoestring budget the 1000 copies pressed were poorly distributed and the song never really achieved any great level of success. At that point, to get more experience, Robert took an opportunity for the large part of a year to go on the road with a group from the mid-west called Villaruz. They majored in performing dance sets of pop, rock, and soul music in the mid-west and eastern parts of the country and played big events like the Kentucky Derby often settling down in large hotels with nightclubs for a month at a time, thus making their road life more palatable. Still not satisfied with the direction of his music career, Robert during 1978 with his wife moved to Atlanta where he soon heard a band rehearsing in an apartment complex. They sounded good but at that time they didn’t have a keyboard and organ player, so Robert introduced himself and asked if he could sit in. The band in question being the funk group “Ripple,” originally from Michigan, who themselves had moved to Atlanta upon signing with GRC Records. Ripple recorded several hit singles for GRC including “I Don’t Know What It Is, But It Sure Is Funky”. Later followed by the seminal album “Sons Of The Gods” for Salsoul Records in 1977, which featured their perennial disco/hustle classic “The Beat Goes On And On”. The group by now was being reconstructed by their band leader percussionist Brian Sherrer. They liked Robert’s playing and vocal abilities, so they invited him into the group and began gigging together. They were also creating new material and thinking of collaborating together on a new album. Although Robert’s main dream remained to be a solo artist, he was willing to give this a try in the event it might finally work out. It was during this time, that Robert using musicians from Ripple entered the studio and recorded four self penned songs as a vanity project and a further two songs written by other group members. Being cautious, they recorded the music together but kept the business affairs separate, for they all had experienced many prior disappointments. The output from this recording session remained unissued ( a situation soon to be rectified on future Soul Junction projects) Robert was hoping that this might finally be his chance to make it, but sadly it didn’t happen, and by this time being 28 years old and married, he decided to put more emphasis on settling down and building a family. Turning his back on a career as a full time musician he began a new career in the insurance business, which would lead to him working as an insurance agent for the next 30 years, although he did continue to dabble with his music where and when he could. Listen to Preview... Your browser does not support the audio element. SJ1007 - Robert Montgomery & Chain Reaction - Promo.mp3 Robert remained oblivious that through the insatiable appetite of European record dealers and collectors alike in their quest to find Black America’s lost soul treasures, his 1976 melodic piano driven outing “I Need You Girl” had been rescued from total obscurity to become a highly appreciated and sought after modern soul favourite. Some circa 15 years after it was initially spun original 45 copies are still hard to come by. It was during his own quest to obtain himself a copy that respected German DJ Lars Bulnheim tracked down Robert Montgomery’s whereabouts and passed the lead on to us at Soul Junction, hence the release of this very hard and desirable 45. A scenario that has made Robert Montgomery a very excited man about this renewed interest in his music. Words by: David Welding & Robert Montgomery Photographs courtesy of: Robert Montgomery Label Scan Crescent 45: David Welding For further information please contact Soul Junction at: Tel: +44 (0) 121 602 8115 or E-mail:sales@souljunctionrecords.co.uk or order direct from the website at http://www.souljunctionrecords.co.uk/SJ1007.html or from the usual stockists.

Cannonball Records caused quite a stir during the summer of 2016 with the release of the labels 4th single with the previously unreleased “What I Done Wrong” by the the little known Big Lee Dowell. The release found favour across Europe with copies selling out very quickly and soon commanding a three figure sum. To satisfy demand a 12 inch version was released. The track was basically a demo recording which Alberto F Zanini, the label owner and the house band better known as the Cannonballs did their magic and added a backing track to come up with the biggest record of 2016. January 2017 sees the seventh release for the label and again it is another find from Alberto’s Detroit digging venture. Again just an unfinished demo by The El Count Executives titled “I Want To Thank You” that Alberto and the Cannonballs have again done their magic and come up with another superb classy mid 70s dancer. Very little is known about The El Count Executives. They did have one release that is known about on the tiny Detroit “Gemini” label in the early to mid 70s. The two sides being Pot Of Gold / Nothing Comes To A Sleeper (But A Dream) (GEMINI 2221). The 45 is very scarce, when it has sold it has commanded a three figure price, over £600 the highest I can see during a quick search. That is all I can find about the group so any other information will be greatly appreciated. As for the Cannonball release, it was recorded circa 1976. One side is for the dancers, strings and percussion added by the Cannonballs and the tempo increased giving us a classy mid 70s dancer. The flip is as Alberto describes a proper sound track for the lovers. Both sides the drums are replayed and piano is added. The 45 has received various plays on the radio across Europe by the likes of Dave Thorley and yours truly during a guest appearance and has been very well received with nothing but praise for the recording. The Cannonball release is been dedicated to the memory of one of our Soul Brothers who we recently lost, Paul Thrower. A true gent, one off the nicest, funniest and wittiest people you could wish to meet and a true Soul Music connoisseur who supported everything Alberto and Cannonball did, a truly nice touch by Cannonball. The 45 will be released on the 9th of January 2017 on Cannonball’s sister label “RADAR”. It has been limited to a 500 copy press. Copies can be ordered through Paypal to cannonballsoul@gmail.com. The cost is £20 plus £10 P&P for UK buyers. European buyers please email cannonballsoul@gmail.com for details. Copies are limited to three per person, it is likely to sell out pretty quick so order without delay to be sure of a copy. In-between Big Lee Dowell and this impending release the label released "Do You Get The Message" by Robert Jones and Berdell Gaston. Jone and Gaston are the writers of this track that was released by Grey Imprint, dance floor favourite across Europe. This is the songwriter demo with the Cannonballs weaving their magic giving us another dance floor winner. More great work is promised for the future and these tiny labels, even though what they do is because of their passion for the music still need our support to continue bringing new music to the scene. Email Alberto for more info on purchasing Jones and Gaston and other releases from Cannonball. El Count Executives Teaser.mp3 Your browser does not support the audio element.