Soul Strutter: Version Excursion

Sunday 27 November 2022

Version Excursion - Lucky Fellow

The song "Lucky Fellow" was written by Charles Boyd and Gerald Dickerson who were members of The Creations who later became Contributors of Soul.

The song was originally recorded by Maurice Jackson in 1971. It came out on two labels, initially on Candle Light (the only listed release on the label) and then on Lakeside in 1972 (one of only 3 singles on the label). Jackson's original version was arranged by one Donny Hathaway.

Jackson then joined The Independents whose members included Chuck Jackson, Helen Curry, Eric Thomas and Marvin Yancy and the song was included on their second album "Chuck, Helen, Eric, Maurice" in 1973. The Independents version was produced members Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy who went on to write, arrange and produce for the likes of, most famously, Natalie Cole and Phyllis Hyman.

The next version came in 1975 on Leroy Huston's third solo album "Hutson". It was only released as a single, at the time, in the Philippines on Warner Bros., the album was on Curtom which was originally distributed by Buddah until around 1974 and then switched to Warner Bros. Leroy Huston replaced Curtis Mayfield in The Impressions in 1971 and left for a solo career in 1973 and his material is revered in rare groove and modern soul circles.

There have been several reissues in various vinyl formats over the years a Curtom UK 12" (2000), an unofficial Curtom 12" (2013), Acid Jazz 7" (2018) and on various albums and compilations over the years.

The final version, that I know of (if you know of others then spill the beans) is by London percussionist and DJ Mark Cotgrove under the alias of Snowboy, who rose to fame in the acid jazz era in 1991. The vocalist on Snowboy's version is the very recently deceased Noel McCoy.

NOTE Strangely when I put the playlist below together a couple of days ago Maurice Jackson was available, but is no longer. It was reissued digitally by Mad About Records in Mar 2021. I'll leave it in the playlist in case it re-emerges but have had to post it from YouTube.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.