Frankie Seay & the Soul Riders - Soul Food / Black Jack (Digital 45)

Truly one of South Florida's great, relatively unknown funky soul bands of the 1960s, Frankie Seay & The Soul Riders were as good if not better than any of the nationally known acts of the day. A tight ensemble featuring a horn section, flute, and a killer rhythm section of guitar, bass and drums - this group was as good as it gets. Although the band didn't have many opportunities to record, the few singles they left behind are enough to cement their status in soul and funk music history. Their ultra rare late 1960's instrumental funk masterpiece, "Soul Food" b/w "Black Jack" is one of those rare funk singles that really defines the era - this single has all of the elements one could possibly hope for. The mid-tempo "Soul Food" starts off with a lone Herbie Mann style flute intro, then just the drums before the rest of the band kicks in with super funky guitar, horns and bass until it evolves into a funky psychedelic guitar solo that carries the piece out. The "B" side, "Black Jack" is more upbeat, laying down a James Brown style groove, but with more of a raw rock edge to it - a fine flute solo and some nice ensemble playing from the horn section, a blistering guitar solo, followed by soulful sax to help take the tune out. An apt descriptor would be "positively groovy." It is no wonder that individual copies of the original vinyl 45 RPM disc have sold for over a thousand dollars apiece on collector's sites. Originally released on the Tropical Record label in 1969, this rare gem is presented here newly remastered.