Genre: soul
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Meet the Checkmates
Company: Justice
Catalog: 149
Year: 1967
Country/State: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: --
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4749
Price: $250.00
Cost: $182.50
If you're looking at this item you're either lost, bored out of your mind, or a fan of Justice's unique low tech sound.
Like most groups in this Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based label's catalog there doesn't seem to be much in the way of biographical information out there. Like most Justice releases the barebones liner notes don't tell you much about the group other than they apparently had not been together very long before recording 1967's "Meet the Checkmates". Oh, the back panel group photo shows the band to have been a rather dork-ish collection of white guys who were about three years behind popular dressing styles (to say nothing about musical styles). In terms of content, most of the 12 tracks are competent if uninspired covers of popular soul and pop hits. Actually anyone into beach music is liable to find this quite enjoyable. Singer Billy Carden had a lounge-ish voice that was actually well suited to much of the material. The rest of the band (including a three piece horn section) were never less than competent, though seldom truly exciting. The one band original 'Half a Man' happens to be the standout track, though their cover of Curtis Mayfield's 'Gypsy Woman' wasn't bad. Credit producer Calvin Newton for surprisingly good sound. (Kudos for the catchy, if cheesy cover art - though I've always wondered why it shows the singular 'Checkmate'.)
"Meet the Checkmates" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Comin' Home (instrumental) - 2:35
2.) It's Not Unusual - 3:21
3.) Gypsy Woman - 2:10
4.) You Don't Know Like I Know - 2:08
5.) My Girl - 2:54
6.) Laugh It Off - 2:12
(side
2)
1.) Half a Man - 2:27
2.) I've Been Hurt - 2:15
3.) Try My Love Again - 1:35
4.) Hot Cha - 3:31
5.) That's Enough - 2:21
6) Kidnapper (with Heat Wave) - 3:25