Mel Brown – Chicken Fat from the Impulse Records 45

Imagine my surprise when this record turned up in a set sale. It’s a side I’ve been trying to get for a while, after I heard DJ Bluewater spin it one night. I knew Larry from Funky 16 Corners had recommended “Swamp Fever” as the funkier of the two, but I was prepared take either one as it’s some of the funkiest stuff put out on the Impulse! label. It’s funny because tonight I was taking a break from writing and watched Quentin Tarantino’s Deathproof, which coincidentally has a killer soundtrack (Eddie Floyd, The Coasters, Serge Gainsburg, etc.) Half of the movie takes place in Austin, TX, where the name Antone’s was mentioned in passing. Antone’s is a famous Blues joint that’s been around forever. When I toured, I played there. It’s definitely a great spot, and an Austin landmark. This artist featured in this post would go on to be a part of the House band there in the 80’s. This record was meant to be reviewed today I’m excited to say. Here is Mel Brown and “Chicken Fat” on Impulse! Records.

Born in Jackson, MS in 1939, Brown would be influenced most by his father John Henry “Bubba” Brown, who played with Tommy Johnston and the Chatmon Brothers. Although his father eventually gives up playing full time to raise the family, he’d still be an influence. Contracting meningitis, while an unfortunate event at age 14, would allow him to hunker down while bedridden and dissect the guitar players of the day and learn their sound. His playing would lead him to be a part of The Duke Juniors, a younger version of The Duke Huddleston Orchestra. From here, his Gibson Les Paul would lead him on a journey as a sideman, band leader, pianist and respected musician to this day. From Sonny Boy Williamson to The Olympics, to Johnny Otis to Sam Cooke to Johnny “Guitar” Watson and Jerry Lee Lewis, Brown’s session guy rep would lead him to a record contract. A hot session on T-Bone Walker’s “Funky Town” would prove vital in his career. Impulse! Records guru Bob Theile took an interest in Brown’s ability. Theile took the Jazz world by storm and changed the way Jazz music was made when he took over. He was no stranger to taking chances, and in Mel Brown he put out one of the funkiest records in Impulse! Records history. Brown would release some great records with Impulse!: Chicken Fat, The Wizard,and Blues For We. He’s put out Mel Brown’s Fifth, and Big Foot Country Gal, and Eighteen Pounds of Unclean Chitlins, plus a slew of others well into the 2000’s. In between he’d play with The Bobby Bland Band, back up Blues great John Lee Hooker and others, plus the aforementioned Antone’s gig.

“Chicken Fat” is a down home style (if I can borrow the word from Brother Jack McDuff) slice of Blues inspired pie, with some greasy Funk thrown in to stick to your ribs. The lineup of Brown on guitar, along side other guitarists Arthur Wright and Herb Ellis, plus Gerald Wiggins on organ, Ronald Brown on bass, and one of the best drummers IMO ever, Paul Humphreys, is a great lineup for a debut on a Jazz label (or any for that matter). Brown weaves in and out of the blues and Funk just with the precision of a surgeon, and his unorthodox guitar style was a just what Impulse! needed to add to their already eclectic label. Don’t pass this thing up. Keep Diggin’!

**PS: Don’t forget this Friday night: The AP 45 Sessions with the AP 45 Crew plus secial guest Conn Shawnery from Afro Kats Records!