Given the era, location and subject matter of Don Reed’s East 14th: True Tales of a Reluctant Player (the play reviewed below), it’s crazy that I happened to simultaneously get turned on to this rare soul/funk gem from 1970 (Props to Jackson). Local artist Rodger Collins released a few singles on Oakland blues/soul label Galaxy Records in the 70s, but “Foxy Little Girls in Oakland” didn’t resurface until the Galaxy vaults were opened for the compilation Bad, Bad Whisky. This CD also features Tower of Power‘s Lenny Williams and variety of other rare Galaxy tracks.

This Collins’ joint is ill though, no question. The MG-ish bassline combined with the west coast blues fret work and Collins’ localized lyrics make it a hit in my book. What Oaklander can’t appreciate a little heard funk anthem dedicated to the “pretty legged girls in Oakland strutting down East 14th”? Not I my friend. Not I.
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“Foxy Girls in Oakland”- Rodger Collins

While we’re on the topic of old soul/funk heads from the Bay, Sly & The Family Stone have been given new life by Snoop Dogg’s latest release, “Dr. King Remember.” The song draws heavily from “Remember Who You Are” off The Family Stone’s 1979 album Back on the Right Track. Snoop’s part is so-so, and ignorantly proclaims that “we HAVE overcome,” but the whole second half of the track is left to Sly’s vocals and the horn work of Cynthia Robinson and Jerry Martini. Hopefully this will be a treat to the young hip-hop heads who aren’t up on the Bay’s deep and diverse funk roots. Enjoi

“Dr. King Remember”- Snoop Dogg, Sly Stone & Martin Luther King Jr