{"product_id":"1619-bad-ass-band-1619-bad-ass-band","title":"1619 Bad Ass Band – 1619 Bad Ass Band","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1619 Bad Ass Band\u003c\/strong\u003e is a long-overdue reissue of one of the most elusive soul-funk albums of the 1970s. Originally released in 1976 on the notoriously obscure TSG Records imprint, the New Jersey group's sole album disappeared almost immediately, yet gradually became a treasured discovery among rare-soul collectors, DJs and deep-funk enthusiasts. Mr Bongo now gives this remarkable record the wider audience it always deserved. This edition is especially well suited to listeners discovering the group for the first time, as well as seasoned collectors seeking a dependable playing copy of a legendary rarity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe story behind the original pressing is almost as compelling as the music itself. TSG was one of several American so-called tax-scam labels whose releases were often produced in tiny quantities with minimal promotion or distribution. Commercial success was rarely the point, and many artists received little recognition for the work they had made. As a result, original copies of \u003cem\u003e1619 Bad Ass Band\u003c\/em\u003e became extremely difficult to find, eventually earning holy-grail status on the collector market.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMusically, the album is far more than a curiosity. Led by Khalid Abdul Shalid, the group move confidently between gritty funk, modern soul and richly arranged balladry. The drum-heavy drive of “Love To Love” captures the band's raw live energy, while “Rain” reveals a softer, dreamier side. “Just From You” glides on elegant strings, and the spacey synthesiser lines of “Nothing Can Stop My Loving You” make it a standout for modern-soul listeners. “Step Out” opens with a powerful break later sampled by Latyrx, before unfolding into an inspired male-female vocal exchange.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOriginally reissued in 1978 with alternate artwork on Graham International, the record remained scarce in every form. This Mr Bongo edition restores a key piece of underground soul history and offers a chance to hear an album whose depth, versatility and natural groove have only become more impressive with time. Essential for fans of rare groove, deep funk and overlooked 1970s soul.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr Bongo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58408264597878,"sku":"MRBLP345","price":24.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.stickyblacktarmac.com\/products\/1619-bad-ass-band-1619-bad-ass-band","provider":"Sticky Black Tarmac","version":"1.0","type":"link"}