Ken Elhard & Express

Next up on the local hit parade. A slice of modern soul from Tacoma, Wa. 1977. I found Ken through some slight detective work and was provided with the following information. Their band Express was formed in August 1976 with Rick Thompson on Guitar and vocals. Steve Cox on Drums and vocals. Ken himself on Keys and vocals. They then added Greg Buhre on horns, Mike Meyerdick and Terry Toperke on Bass. In February of 1977 they hit the studio and tracked "Free Spirit". The band then toured up and down the West coast for the next two years and disbanding in 1979. "Free Spirit" was the only record they ever did.




Ken Elhard & Express - "Free Spirit"

http://www.divshare.com/download/8857098-13b
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Everyday People

I chose to post this record as the follow up to the Jonahs Whale joint. Because both records were on the same "Valane" records label. I can not find out much information on this band. They are one that no one remembers or mentions when doing research on this stuff. Hmm.... Too bad because they were pretty funky. I have never seen another copy since I found this one years ago in an antique store.


Everyday People - "Double Lovin'"

http://www.divshare.com/download/8842463-923
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Jonahs Whale

Not sure exactly when and where I found this one. What I do remember was reading the address on the label of the location of the "Valane" records label. It just so happened to be three blocks away from my residence! I immediately went over to see what was good. Well it's now a Quiznos sandwich shop. So no luck on finding copies or getting much more info. I guess they were a pretty popular band as everyone I talk to that was in the scene back in the day knows of them. I did find a second Jonahs Whale single on the Treesong label but didn't pick it up. Perhaps I should have?


Jonahs Whale - "Feelin' Loose"

http://www.divshare.com/download/8823904-69c
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A Historic Day In Seattle

I promised this week would be all music and I'm sticking to my guns. However the good guys over at Bold View Productions shot this video over to me this morning and of course I immediately had to share it! Big huge thanks to Matthew Chernicoff, Raul Anaya & Schick Soto for producing, editing and making this video happen. Enjoy.

Teleclere

As we continue on with or second installment this week of seatown soul I bring to you the 80's modern soul/boogie band "Teleclere". That is a young Tony Benton on the cover. This was his group. Tony is still around these days and many people know him as the director of community affairs at clear channel KUBE radio station. He hosts a talk show on Sunday mornings on the station. He also, runs "Musica" a local organization that supports many different music programs. He along with mayor Greg Nichols presented me with the city of Seattle "Dj of the year" award a few years back. I never really knew Tony but knew of him and totally remember when this record was released. I used to see it around the local shops. His band was also, the backing band for early local rappers the "Emerald Street Boys". I may post that up later this week? At any rate here is my favorite track off the e.p. An up tempo electro boogie number called "I will steal your love". He went from Teleclere to clear channel. What's with the clear connection?!


Teleclere - "I Will Steal Your Love"

http://www.divshare.com/download/8817143-ad7
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PUSH

Starting today for the next week straight I'm going to post records from Seattle, Washington that I find were to my liking. In other words get ready for the winter heat!!! I'm really going out on a limb and doing my absolute best to find these records and post them up here for the world. Most of these great bands have been long overlooked and forgotten. What a shame. Today I'm going to start off with a nice hunk of modern soul from the band PUSH on the Sounds of Seattle record label. They only released this one and only 7" 45 RPM. Only a hand full of copies are known to exist. It's rare and not easy to find even here in Seattle. I know of 2 people that own a copy besides myself. They recorded a full albums worth of material which I recently acquired after meeting one of the original band members Harry Wilson. I'm going to sift through the material and see if a release should be in order. They recorded two takes on this track. One in Seattle and one in Portland, Oregon. The one posted up is the Portland, Oregon session. This is not the one on the 45.




PUSH - "You Turn Me On" (Portland Session)

http://www.divshare.com/download/8799922-131
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The Great Pretenders

On my quest to find anything funky from my hometown city of Seattle I came across an album by local rock band The Great Pretenders. I guess this either originally was or had band members from the Wailers who went on to be quite successful. Keep in mind this is a rock group but like with a lot of things in the 70's is just pretty darn funky if you ask me! The opening drum break will get the break beat collectors and hip hop producers pretty amped. The song over all is ok and no disrespect to the vocalist but I personally could have done with just the instrumental. As far as I know they recorded two albums. Both live from some tavern.


The Great Pretenders - "Hand Jive"

http://www.divshare.com/download/8736797-f56
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