1981 Brief Encounter “We Want To Play” on Music Town Records

Well, here’s the second and final grailfunk outing from the Bailey Brothers/Quads (Bernard, Larry, Velmar, Montie), pride of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, whose encounter was indeed brief. As was their tenancy under the name Sounds Of Soul, which produced two singles. The difference between this album and their debut “Introducing…” is definitely the variance in bass recording techniques between the late seventies and early 80’s. Otherwise, this head-bopping, boots shaking groove is a compendium of sweet southern soul with a modern twist, funk, proto-disco, and banging dance floor action. Unlike a lot of records that fit in this metaphorical bin, there’s not a single bad cut or filler track to be found, regardless of your taste for bangers v ballads, and the production is FLAWLESS.

​Hey man, why mess around, this is just flat out boogie of the sort that we seem, as a culture and species, no longer able to produce. At least convincingly. Maybe there was something in the water back then. Or the pressure of political and social events, like dinosaurs being converted to petroleum by time and tectonic weight, affects our artistic vision more than we have begun to realize. Either way it makes this record worth its weight in steamer trunks full of uncut Afghani opium. Yeah, it’s family action and pure harmony EWF-style ensemble funk, but did I mention the bass? Better have a sub hooked up to your Harmon Kardon for this one. KILLER.