Black Merda? Black Rock.

The year is 1969 on the South Side of Chicago (21st & Michigan).  Marshall Chess (son of Leonard Chess), has taken the helm at Chess Records (the Seminal Chicago Blues/Jazz/Gospel label).  A fairly hip young cat, Marshall realizes that the hottest acts in popular music at the time borrowed (or gangstered) heavily from the roster at Chess: Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Little Walter (even Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley).  His offensive move was to re-record the blues giants in a psychedelic blues style popular with groups like Cream (featuring Eric Clapton).  He also recorded newer, younger, more tripped-out acts.  Among them, Black Merda and Fugi (backed by Black Merda), a black rock collective from Detroit (that was still reeling from riots the year before).  Above is “Revelations”, one of two records released through Chess/Cadet under the name Fugi (alternately spelled as Fuji).  There will be much more on this blog about this topic; but in the mean time…Jive on.