Wheedle's Groove: Seattle's Finest In Funk & Soul 1965-75

"There was a minimum of twenty live-music clubs specializing in funk and soul, and all those joints jammed. There must have been twenty-five hard-giggin', Superfly-like, wide-leg-polyester-pant-and-platform-shoes-wearing, wide-brim-hat-and-maxi-coat-sportin', big-ass, highly-"sheened"-afro-stylin', Kool & the Gang song-covering live bands playing four sets a night from 8 p.m. 'til O-dark-thirty in the morning. And of course, the ladies were not to be outdone with their Pam Grier-Foxy Brown hoop earrings, mini-skirts and the ever popular Afro Puffs. Each night, some band, somewhere, was kickin' it. You could find Manuel Stanton of Black and White Affair doing flips while playing bass on a Monday at the Gallery. Meanwhile, you might catch Robbie Hill, flashing like a Christmas tree in a red rhinestone-studded jumpsuit, matching red Big Apple cap and the huge hair, keeping the beat for his band Family Affair at the District Tavern. The Dave Lewis Trio, the highly stylized Overton Berry and the ultra-funky Johnny Lewis Quartet regularly played the Trojan Horse, while Cold, Bold & Together was house band at the legendary Golden Crown Up. Cookin' Bag, with their heavy horn vibe was a major draw from Perls' Ballroom in Bremerton to Soul Street." - Robert Nesbitt