Junior Walker & The All Stars - Road Runner / Shotgun

Year Released: 1966
Genre: Soul / Funk / R&B

Description:

Released on Motown’s Soul label in 1966, “Road Runner” and “Shotgun” are two of Junior Walker & The All Stars’ most iconic hits. “Road Runner” combines a rapid-fire backbeat, blistering saxophone lines, and call-and-response vocals to create a fast-paced, high-energy soul track perfect for dancing.

“Shotgun,” the group’s breakthrough hit, features the instantly recognizable sax riff that became Walker’s signature. Driven by a relentless rhythm section and punctuated horn stabs, the track exemplifies mid-’60s Motown soul with a raw, bluesy edge that set Walker apart from other label acts. Together, these tracks are cornerstone releases that cemented Junior Walker’s reputation as a dynamic saxophonist and bandleader with irresistible energy. Sampling Note: Shotgun was sampled by Cypress Hill in “Hand on the Pump”.