Little Hooks w/Ray Nato & the Kings – Give the Drummer Some More from the Enjai 45

I’m a fan of all kinds of music, and always lean towards something that has a nice beat. I have been checking out the new record by K-os lately. I have been a fan since he did the song “Superstar”, and made great use of the “Hot Music” sample by Soho. This new record called “Atlantic Hymns for Disco” is definitely more vocal than hip hop, and I am feeling it. Now on with the Funk!

Today we’re going to visit Baltimore, Maryland. Oh yes, the home of Edgar Allan Poe’s house, the Aquarium, Fell’s Point (If you’ve never gone, I’d highly recommend it. Loads of shopping, Thrift stores, records, and bars…shout out to Vincent over at FuFu Stew ), and of course today’s delicious 45: “Give the Drummer Some More” by Little Hooks w/ Ray Nato & the Kings. Essentially starting out as a Doo Wop group, the 5 Kings, sang on their respective street corner (Jasper Street and Druhill Avenue ). Like any aspiring group, these young men wanted a recording contract, and they got one. They were signed to Jax in 1953, and recorded “Why Oh Why” (a minor hit for producer Bobby Hall). The group itself lost and gained members for the next few years, recorded as the 4 Kings, then returned to it’s original line up. They recorded a few songs under the name The Ramblers for MGM, but moved on to the Gotham label in the mid 50’s. These guys got around, recording on Jalo, Lookie, and Jay Wing. Again more player changes, and finally Adolphus Holcomb decided to start his own label: Century. He renamed the group Little Hooks and the Kings in 1963, then went on to do some sides for Chess, Claridge, and Little Rick during the 60’s. Now that we’ve got a little background going on these cats, let’s move to 1972, when they did this funky thing on Enjay Records. Their lineup on this cut was as follows: Adolphus Holcomb (Little Hooks) (vocals), Raymond Holcomb (drums), Theodore Eastep (organ), and Donald Allen (guitar). This tune is not an upbeat, fast mover as the title would lead us to believe. Little Hooks commands the band to get some, in the shadows of James Brown (“Can I Count it off?) A steady little drum break moves along with a dash of guitar and bass, plus an ever present organ for a little extra flavor. It is essentially all about the drummer Raymond Holcomb, who “ain’t had some in a long time”. Then come to find out, the whole band hasn’t either. They all get a turn. There is no solo instrument breakdown like “”Tighten Up” or “Tighten Up Tighter”, this is a group effort. It’s a slow groover that builds, but never really explodes, it just kind of hangs on this funky beat until Little Hooks pulls the plug on the whole thing (at the count of four). I can only assume this was a Doo Wop band making that logical progression to the Funk sound that was dominant from the lates 60’s to the early 70’s. Times were changing, the band had changed, and so did the music. These cats continued to perform and tour throughout the 70’s without a major hit, a prime example of a veteran band on the Chitlin” Circuit.

I’ve got a couple of collaborations in the works coming up in the near future. Joint mixes with Funky 16 Corners , DJ Bluewater, and Cool Hands Luke are all on the horizon. Luke holds it down with Mr. Finewine of Downtown Soulville fame at the Kings County Soul Club. Luke’s been a guest at past 45 Sessions in Asbury Park and will be present at the next one (plug, plug) on July 6th. I’m hoping you dug this little gem, I know I did. I’ll see you around the flea market. Keep Diggin’!