Black Smoke Band [2022] - I'll Keep Searching / Get'n Off [Epsilon #EPS 016]

​The Black Smoke Band were from Dunn, NC, comprising of five members: Norwell McNeill (lead vocals), Bobby Moore (bass guitar), James Jacobs (lead guitar), Joe McLaughlin (keyboards), Ronnie Brewington, (drums).

The band members met whilst in their teens playing local bars, dance halls and night clubs and gigging with other local acts and all began recording music prior to the band’s two releases.

Yann Vatiste's Epsilon Records has reissued their second, and last, single "Get'n Off" / "I'll Keep Searching" but has switched the sides around leading with the original B side modern soul track, relegating the funky original A side to the B side.

Yann writes:

"A moody, funky, and compelling arrangement that eschewed the ubiquitous disco sound of the period and created a gritty masterpiece for lovers of hard edged soul music. 

Norwell’s gruff, captivating vocal and some stellar guitar work were all laid over a tight, rolling beat accompanied by strong horn stabs.

The pleading, emotional dynamics of the record work brilliantly with its strutting, insistent pace. Delivering both emotionally and musically it was to be the group’s swan song, but left ample evidence of the talent that lay within them as a band."

The original single must be pretty scarce as none have ever sold on Discogs, which also lists their first single, "Skate Board" (a solid funk cut) / "Starting My Life All Over Again" (a sweet soul tune showcasing Norwell McNeill's) from 1977, yet neither are listed on 45Cat. There are only two listed on Popsike with one of the sellers claiming that only two known copies exist! One sold in 2012 for a snip at $115 (but it was graded G-) with the other selling in 2021 having a price of $1,000 but best offer was accepted, so who knows what it actually went for? There are also only four copies of their first single listed which have sold between $400-$800.

Both of their singles were recorded in 1977 at Arthur Smith's Studios in Charlotte and both released on the group’s own label, Black Smoke Productions which were private pressings via QCA Mastering Studios in Cincinnati, OH.

The group went their separate ways in 1978, although all of the members continuing to perform in and around North Carolina for many years afterwards. 

Drummer Ronnie Brewington passed away, but the other four original members of the group are still actively making music, with Norwell McNeill and Bobby Moore remaining in regular contact today.

Bobby played with Kool & The Gang for a brief spell, alongside other well known acts. Joe McLaughlin continues to run his own studio, and has a large back catalogue of previously unheard material recorded both before and after the Black Smoke years.

Order online from Epsilon website.

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / 70s Funk
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Epsilon
Cat No:	EPS 016
Date:	08/08/2022
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£17.50 incl UK shipping £22.50 incl worldwide shipping

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