This weeks dig will be more of an obituary to my copy of “Mary” by Fugi. The backing band here is Black Merda, who also supported Edwin Starr under the guise of The Soul Agents, who were joined here by Ellington “Fugi” Jordan on vocals and, IMO, scored theyre most memorable hit with this weeks featured Dig: Cadet 5652.
“Mary” certainly still is in heavy rotation on my playlist and was again on Saturday night unfortunately for the last time. Because when i tried to whip this gem off the deck, the record got stuck on the precision made -too tight- Technics centerpiece and cracked all the way through to the label – i was shocked, and in sadness induced frenzy chucked the record at a wall. Later i came across the sad remains it had shattered into and kept them. Today, Sunday, i found the pieces in my box and swiftly “dug” myself a “new” copy of this essential funk 45 on discogs.
Should be in the mail tomorrow :) but for now the destroyed copy had to hold up for the Photo!
Enjoy both sides of this monsterjam hear:
Fugi or Fuji the singer, producer and composer on “Mary” also deserves to be remembered for co-writing “I’d rather go blind” with Billy Foster of the Medallions! As far as i know he never recorded his own version. Though I did find a cut very worthy of posting here, despite the theatrics and 80s flourescent clothing, this performance really has C.L.A.S.S:
Ladies and Jazzmen: I’d Rather Go Bling by Etta James & Dr John
