The Policticians – Free Your Mind from the Hot Wax 45

What’s up FMF family? It’s time to get back to some Funk this Wednesday. From the amount of downloads and views Joe Gibbs & the Professionals got, I guess I should let some of that reggae I have out from under wraps out. I’m glad I’m not the only one who can appreciate some really good Reggae, as opposed to the Reggaeton bullshit that will hopefully go away sooner than later. It looks like Devil Dick got some good vinyl scores off a street corner this past week in West Philly, and I am jealous at the Black Jazz Lp you got my brother. That was a nice score. Thanks for reminding me of the “wig guy”, which I can most definitely touch upon after Saturday’s digging. I figured since I never do a theme that often, I’d continue on from the post on Monday with another house band. Now this just isn’t your run of the mill, everyday house band. These guys were on some other shit ya dig? They were the house band for the Holland Dozier Holland’s label after they parted ways with Motown, the one and only Hot Wax Records. This time we visit the Motor City with The Politicians and “Free Your Mind”.

After getting out of Motown, HDH took their legendary song writing ability and status and started Hot Wax. They featured artists such as The Honey Cone, Laura Lee (which I will visit in the future), The Flaming Ember (definitely on deck), 100 Proof Aged Soul (also in my cue..funkiest white boys in Detroit), and Warlock. Where the Honey Cone was the more successful of the groups over time, the Politicians were a band that had their hands (and ears) in a lot of releases, both on Hot Wax and Invictus. They were the house band for Invictus/ Hot Wax, and were lead by trombone player McKinley Jackson. McKinley had come over from the Funkadelic camp, so you know where this guy’s head was at. He had a hand in Funkadelic’s 1971 tune: “Back In Our Minds”, and then broke free on his own, letting the people know where the back of his mind was at: Psychedelic Funk and Soul. Fortunately, some of that gritty Funkadelic sound rubbed off on him, (it wasn’t just Little Beaver!), and Detroit was a better place. The Politicians were known for playing the club circuit in the Detroit area, and backed up many touring bands that came through the city. The band consisted of Jackson, Melvin Griffin (Sax and Electric Piano), “Peanut” Roderick Chandler (Bass and Sax), “Clay” Clarence Robinson (Organ and Trumpet), and Zachary Slater (Drums and Percussions). This band was equal parts Motown Soul, Funkadelic, and Sly Stone; all wrapped in to one fuzzed out Rock, Soul, Funk and Psychedelic package. This record was previously released on Invictus (9098-B) by The 8th Day as “It’s Instrumental To Be Free”. It’s been sampled by the likes of Profesor Griff and Nikki D.

The side itself with it’s strong bass line start, galloping organ and fuzzy guitar show the obvious Funkadelic and Sly Stone influence from the get go and just don’t let up. I’m sure played live, the middle was extended for some sweet conga and drum breaks, as well as assorted trading off of the funky stuff. I can just imagine these guys taking the stage in the Detroit area a few nights a week when they weren’t recording, and just tearing the place apart. Music like this is what’s missing today. With the exception of the Daptone, Truth and Soul, and some Melting Pot bands, the scene today is void of house bands like the Politicians. They were a band that could hold their own when not backing up another artist, and do it 7 nights a week. Maybe I just live in my little FMF bubble, but if there are some bands that can do it, I want to review them and go see them live as well. Drop me a line and I’ll do my best to spread the word. So there you have it, another house band that could do it to it. Whether it’s Jamaica or Detroit, or even Jamaica imitating Detroit (as the case was a lot of times), don’t count out the band the backs up the star. See you on Friday. Keep Diggin’!