Breaks: Charles Wright and the 103rd St. Rhythm Band

Becoming an early career sensation won’t ensure one’s decade spanning success. And even while Charles Wright has maintained a certain amount of visibility, there’re only a few songs that have endured since his 103rd St Rhythm Band cut records during the late ‘60s and early ‘70s.

Not to denigrate his work, seeing as a few of those aforementioned cuts have gone on to serve as the basis for an untold number of rap tracks, the lion’s share of the groups recordings are ignored by all but the most voracious musical foragers.
 
Beginning in the wake of some ill-conceived doo-wop groups, Wright formed his ensemble and even included a soon to be Earth, Wind and Fire member. Pretty immediately, it became clear that the group and its tough funk sound was the order of the day as ‘60s idealism gave way to ‘70s discontent.

It was in Wright’s yelps and hollers that were instrumental in relating the decade’s emotional perspective. And even if Mr. James Brown was still at the height of his soul shouting powers, Wright was a contemporary who was more than capable of making a play at the same market.

After the 103rd St. Rhythm Band released its first few discs, its third album called Express Yourself granted the ensemble a tremendous hit with its title track. For the most part, the disc wasn’t comprised of anything radically different than whatever else was going on at the time, but the visceral funk, soul and sporadic splashes of gospel were so seamlessly and passionately rendered as to make the album a critical and market place success.

Again, the title track is what this Wright album is going to be most recalled for. But each of the 6 other tracks that comprise this effort are stoned funk classics. “I Got Love” should probably be as widely sampled as its better known brother with the high hat’s sixteenth notes that announce the beginning of track and carry it through that well worn chorus. The song’s been granted some latter day cache as another LA based group, the Breakeastra, recently sought to include it on a studio recording and in its live set.

The majority of the disc, though, is given over to the two parts of “High as Apple Pie.” Coming in at just about 17 minutes in total, the track is an extended summation of Wright and his band’s ability to play a sloppy funk, but still have it all come off as a masterwork. There aren’t too many bands that can work in that mold. And even if some of the first section of the song is given over to an unfocused piano progression, there’s enough rhythm behind it all as to get the track over. Of course, Wright’s moaning doesn’t hurt matters either.

Regardless, Express Yourself remains a towering achievement in the funk and soul genre. What’s better is the fact that it’s probably sitting around at your aunt’s house, so toss it on during your next forced family function.