Junior Wells - Up In Heah
- Artist Junior Wells
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Junior Wells – Up In Heah / Junior's Groove (1966)
A fantastic example of Junior Wells stepping outside his traditional Chicago blues roots and embracing the emerging sounds of soul and funk. Released on the independent Bright Star label in 1966, this double-sided instrumental-leaning 45 finds the legendary blues singer and harmonica player backed by a punchy, horn-driven arrangement that owes more than a little to the contemporary James Brown sound.
"Up In Heah" is a raw, infectious slice of early funk, combining driving drums, rolling bass, sharp brass stabs and Wells's distinctive vocal delivery. Arranged by Monk Higgins and produced by Jack Daniels, the track has a wonderfully loose, dancefloor-friendly feel, quite different from the stripped-back blues recordings for which Wells was best known.
The flip, "Junior's Groove", uses the same backing track but takes things in a more instrumental direction, allowing the band's tight rhythmic interplay to come to the fore. Both sides were recorded in Chicago on 31 August 1966, with songwriting credits going to Jack Daniels and Johnny Moore.
A brilliant crossover between Chicago blues, R&B and early funk, and a particularly rewarding discovery for collectors of obscure soul and raw, groove-heavy 45s.