Smoke - Risin' (1976) J Bridge LP - Rare Soul (FLAC 223MB)

To make up for my absence yesterday here,s REPOST/UPGRADE from the old blog...Smoke came from Kansas City,Missouri & they comprised of brothers Ernest & Arthur Malone (founders) along with school chums Larry Brown & Melvin Manning. They began singing in 1970 at the Royal Bunny Club in Kansas City & then in other local Bars/Clubs. The group toured with the Dells and the Undisputed Truth. They shared billing with top names as B. B. King, Redd Foxx, and Marvin Gaye who tried to persuade them to move to Los Angeles without success. They performed in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Atlanta and many towns in the Mid-West & South. The record company changed some of the mix,s at the last minute on a few of the tracks which was common practice back then. This was their only album recorded in Kansas and one 45 released, they seemed to vanish from the business. The album has now reached cult/holy grail status with collectors and fans alike and first saw the light of day in the UK at Blackpool Mecca where i heard a few tracks that took the place by storm!.... A superb album worthy of it cult status as a rarity. Shame they didn't carry on recording. The album is now a bit worn but still plays ok.

AMM

                                                                                              The Northern Tasters!