I bought this Lp out quite a few years ago in the field on the strength of their cover of “Funky Broadway”. At the time, I was toying with the idea of an all Funky Broadway mix or project. I listened to the cut, needle dropped a bit, then filed it for the project. Imagine my surprise a little later when I listened to the whole record. What I got with this record, wasn’t just this long haired, Rhythm & Blues influenced, organ swinging Soul player I expected. What I got, was a big drum break on this very cut, “Chinese Chicken” (not related to a record I reviewed by Jackie Lee called “The Chicken”). This cut was featured in the Ultimate Breaks and Beats series Vol. 20, the cover with the Hit Factory on the front for all you old vinyl heads.

Formed at Sigma Sounds in 1973 at Philadelphia and originally consisting of members of MSFB, The Memphis Horns, and Patti Austin among others, Duke Williams and the Extremes released two records for the Allman Brothers Capricorn Record label. A variation of the band from the mid-70’s to about 1980 had Richie Sambora from Bon Jovi in it. Shortly after the incarnation of the band, Duke Williams went into obscurity, kind of. From the documentary clip below, he explains his return from Hollywood to New Jersey (Trenton we presume) to take care of business, and while he still keep recording to this day, we haven’t seen much new stuff from him. Collaborations with long time friend/musician TJ Tindall and others apparently have been in the can for a while. Hopefully, he will release more incredible music, as this guy has proved he is talented.

The cut “Chinese Chicken” has kept B-Boys moving for decades. A tune that I call “some up-rock shit”, it’s hard drums and Bluesy/ Funk riffs take you on on a ride until the big drum break drops. This break wants you to keep cutting doubles of this record over and over (while the B-Boys keep doing their thang over and over as well). There is a 45 of this around that doesn’t seem to hard to find, so all you 7″ seekers this is for you as well. Not too sure about this video clip, other than it seems to be a documentary trailer on The Return of Duke Williams in production. This guy’s story and music are definitely interesting, so keep your ears out for more music from him. Until then, play this record loud.

Listen to Duke Williams & the Extremes – Chinese Chicken

Download here.

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