Steering Me in the Wrong Direction

The Dynamics - I Don't Want Nobody to Lead Me on.

There is something to be said for the simplicity of this soul song, in every sense. It's got a simple melody, a brief run time, and they waste no words with their message. No need for similes or allegory -- just cut to the chase and tell those triflin' hos what's what. The Dynamics are masters of this - and this is just off their first album. Fantastic.

We start with a bananas drum beat and a sinister guitar jangle before the harmonies kick in and we're deep into soul country. It's a quick two minutes and then we're gone. But why beat around the bush? They've said all they want to say.

This record, First Landing, came out in 1969 on Cotillion records. The band was based in Detroit, but never did the Motown thing. This is easily one of my favorite records. It's rough, raw and interesting. The band is obviously still figuring out its sound, which is always amazing to hear documented. This has never been available on cd before, until this coming Tuesday. Hacktone Records has a remastered reissue dropping on May 1st. I can't believe it took this long, but regardless, go pick it up.

You might be familiar with the Ice Cream Song, which was a minor hit and a sick ballad. Totally unrelated, I feel like this song is ripe for a pilooski edit, no?