Sometimes a small stuffy room is the best way to record loud music. If you only have two/four tracks to capture the performance of a six piece band, they're gonna have to be close to one another anyway. Pack em in, flip the tape, and let em jam...No edits.
"Karate" is among the rowdiest 1960's soul that almost thinks it's funk, defying an origin of Pennslyvania with a New Orleans beat, running it down in a most respectable manner. The drums tumble back & forth on themselves while the bass just keeps thumpin, all of which is made cohesive with some Hammond organ and shout-sing. The same ingredients grace the B side ("I've Got to Have Her") with a slower pace and romantic intentions.
Mala was a short-lived branch of Bell Records whose roster included an assortment of garage rock, northern soul, and pop. After this minor 1966 hit, The Emporers signed to Brunswick to release a small string of singles that never rivaled the success of "Karate". Bell and Mala were eventually absorbed by Columbia in the late sixties and this fantastic little combo was soon forgotten.
8 out of 10 on the "Can't Stop Movin" scale...
8 out of 10 on the "Can't Stop Movin" scale...
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