A Brief Introduction To Lowriders

Since re-launching the blog we've had some up to date tunes, deep, Northern and beat ballads, so it's time explore what is now becoming more popular on the UK Sunday soul sessions taking our lead from our US cousins in L.A. Chicano/lowrider scene. 

For the uninitiated: Chicano mainly because it is the Mexican (descent) community and lowrider relates to the fact that they cruise around in (lowered) vintage cars playing the 'oldies' from their cars. Essentially the 'oldies' are the slow deep, sweet and mellow side of soul which we in the UK have overlooked in our quest for 'dancers' whether it be four on the floor Northern stompers, R&B, Popcorn, modern dancers, two-steppers or crossover - the thrust has always been for soul you can dance to ... sadly quite often at the expense of soulfulness ... as long as it's got the right beat!    Perhaps this is why this sound is becoming increasingly more popular to the 'soul connoisseurs', although to be fair, this music has been played in The Jim Wray Lounge at Soul Essence Yarmouth weekenders for the last 2 decades. Also, since the popularity of Sunday sessions, without the need to necessarily 'please' the dancefloor, DJ's are being a bit more adventurous.

Here's an article which has taken extracts from Wax Poetics #49 Latin Issue which had a feature called 'Bittersweet Harmony' dedicated to lowriders by Allen Thayer

As I understand it (more than happy for comments to correct/update me) the scene tends to be split between northern and southern California.  In the south there's a group of DJ's who call themselves The Southern Soul Spinners who are Ruben Molina, Soulera 5051 (Arlene Sepulveda) & Josh Whittemore.

Kent released a compilation last year (Jan 2019) called This Is Lowrider Soul which is a great introduction if you're coming to this fresh.  This was compiled by soul aficionados Sean Hampsey (UK) & Ruben Molina (US).

Here's a track from it that may highlight how the scenes 'crossover' (pun intended) as this has been played this side of the pond for years (coincidentally also on US Kent).

Four Tees [1970] - One More Chance [Kent]

The Ambasadors [1969] - I Really Love You [Arctic]

Here's a more 'typical' sound and one which we (in UK) would have previously bypassed.

Kansas City Express [1975] - This Is The Place [American Artists]

Another example of the genre which has just been reissued on Ocean Of Tears due to demand (NB NOT on the Kent compilation).

Durand Jones & The Indications [2017] - Is It Any Wonder? [Colemine]

It is not restricted to oldies as there is a scene evolving making 'neo' sweet soul music e.g. Durand Jones & The Indications and many others.