Mickey & the Soul Generation
Encyclopedia
Mickey & the Soul Generation were a funk
band from San Antonio, Texas
. The group formed in the late 1960s in the midst of the Texas funk scene, which consisted mostly of locally and regionally known bands but which was extraordinarily prolific (and known today mostly through hip hop
sampling and reissue
s on labels such as Jazzman Records
).
studio. Their 1969 single, "Iron Leg", was picked up for distribution nationwide by Maxwell Records, a New York
label, and the 45 sold well regionally in Florida
, California
, and Texas
. At the height of its popularity, it was used in a segment by Nipsey Russell
on a routine he did for The Tonight Show
.
After the release of a second single, "Football", the group went on tour, opening for Sam & Dave
, The Supremes
, Clarence Carter
, and Kool & the Gang
in the American South and Midwest. After moving to New York to fill an opening slot for fellow Maxwell artists Faith, Hope & Charity, the group split with its label over monetary disputes and returned to Texas. Further recording ensued at local studios, but the group soon splintered, recording its last singles in 1973.
Mickey & the Soul Generation saw little widespread success while active as a band. However, the group became better known when Josh Davis (DJ Shadow
) began interpolating their music into his records and mixes. Davis, who called the group his 'favorite funk band', collected the group's recordings and had them reissued on Cali-Tex records in 2002 in the double LP and double CD formats. The reissue, Iron Leg, won highly positive reviews from many press outlets. Since then, the group's material has also shown up on funk compilations on record labels such as Jazzman Records
.
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
band from San Antonio, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. The group formed in the late 1960s in the midst of the Texas funk scene, which consisted mostly of locally and regionally known bands but which was extraordinarily prolific (and known today mostly through hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
sampling and reissue
Reissue
A reissue is the repeated issue of a published work. In common usage, it refers to an album which has been released at least once before and is released again, sometimes with alterations or additions....
s on labels such as Jazzman Records
Jazzman Records
Jazzman Records is a record label founded by London DJ Gerald Short in 1998, specialising in re-releasing hard-to-find jazz, funk and soul vinyl records...
).
History
Mickey Foster and Emil Carter first played together in a Latino soul group called The Royal Tokens. The two split from the group to form a new band; picking up George Salas and Gilbert Rivera, they called themselves "The Fabulous Four". After further lineup changes, the group became "The Fabulous Five", "Mickey and the Fabulous Five" and lastly "Mickey and the Soul Generation". The group won several local talent shows and began recording in a local TejanoTejano music
Tejano music or Tex-Mex music is the name given to various forms of folk and popular music originating among the Mexican-American populations of Central and Southern Texas...
studio. Their 1969 single, "Iron Leg", was picked up for distribution nationwide by Maxwell Records, a New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
label, and the 45 sold well regionally in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, and Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. At the height of its popularity, it was used in a segment by Nipsey Russell
Nipsey Russell
Julius "Nipsey" Russell was an American comedian, best known today for his appearances as a guest panelist on game shows from the 1960s through the 1990s, especially Match Game, Password, Hollywood Squares, To Tell the Truth and Pyramid...
on a routine he did for The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
.
After the release of a second single, "Football", the group went on tour, opening for Sam & Dave
Sam & Dave
Sam & Dave were an American soul and rhythm and blues duo who performed together from 1961 through 1981. The tenor voice was Samuel David Moore , and the baritone/tenor voice was Dave Prater .Sam & Dave are members of...
, The Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
, Clarence Carter
Clarence Carter
Clarence Carter is a blind American soul singer and musician.-Life and career:Born in Montgomery, Alabama on 14 January 1936, Carter attended the Alabama School for the Blind in Talladega, Alabama, and Alabama State College in Montgomery, graduating in August 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree...
, and Kool & the Gang
Kool & the Gang
Kool & the Gang are an American jazz, R&B, soul, and funk group, originally formed as the Jazziacs in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1964.They went through several musical phases during the course of their recording career, starting out with a purist jazz sound, then becoming practitioners of R&B and...
in the American South and Midwest. After moving to New York to fill an opening slot for fellow Maxwell artists Faith, Hope & Charity, the group split with its label over monetary disputes and returned to Texas. Further recording ensued at local studios, but the group soon splintered, recording its last singles in 1973.
Mickey & the Soul Generation saw little widespread success while active as a band. However, the group became better known when Josh Davis (DJ Shadow
DJ Shadow
Joshua Paul Davis better known as DJ Shadow is an American music producer, DJ and songwriter. He is considered a prominent figure in the development of instrumental hip hop and first gained notice with the release of his highly acclaimed debut album Endtroducing....., which was constructed...
) began interpolating their music into his records and mixes. Davis, who called the group his 'favorite funk band', collected the group's recordings and had them reissued on Cali-Tex records in 2002 in the double LP and double CD formats. The reissue, Iron Leg, won highly positive reviews from many press outlets. Since then, the group's material has also shown up on funk compilations on record labels such as Jazzman Records
Jazzman Records
Jazzman Records is a record label founded by London DJ Gerald Short in 1998, specialising in re-releasing hard-to-find jazz, funk and soul vinyl records...
.
Members
- Gilbert Rivera - bass
- Andrew Gordon - drums
- George Salas - guitar
- Mickey Foster - organ
- Johnny Hooks - tenor sax
- Emil Carter - vocals, sax
- Harvey Edmerson - drums (deceased)
- Charles Johnson - vocals
- Chris Urrutia - drums