A Punchy, Funky, Bluesy Side from CL Blast

C.L. Blast “Leftover Love” (Clintone, 1972)

What a terrible week for domestic news.  I hope that this finds all the listeners and readers safe and sound and that today’s 45 can offer a brief respite from all the bad news and work to reaffirm the undeniable truth that people, in their hearts are good.

I still have two other drafts of 45s on the back burner but while I was going through 45s last weekend (before our weekly soul night, if you’re in Western Mass come by sometime!) I came across this record which has been a favorite since I picked it up in Chicago last year.

When I saw this record in a bin I snatched it up without hesitation.  Without knowing anything about C.L. Blast there were a number of other tell tale signs that said “heyyyyyyy babbbbby” and induced me to snatch it up with no questions asked.

First off it was recorded in Alabama and produced by two very recognizable names from The Cotton State Sam Dees and Frederick Knight.  Knight you’ll remember from a few 70’s singles on Stax and Sam Dees has a long history, most of the work I’m familiar with is a few Atlantic singles and his rare Northern Soul SSS International single.  Add that in with an unfamiliar label and an artist with the last name Blast and you’ve got a winning combo!

All signs pointed in the right direction and when the needle hit the record this 45 really delivered.  C.L Blast delivers some heavy, wah wah guitar and scorching vocals with perfect doses of horns and back up singers to drive home how dang tired C.L is of this leftover love.

I won’t recount too much of C.L’s history because Sir Shambling did an excellently researched bit on him over at his great blog.  Briefly recounting his history, C.L started his career with his given name of Clarence “Junior” Lewis releasing records on a variety of labels including Bobby Robinson’s Fury, Atco and a variety of small NY labels.  Despite valiant efforts and lots of great records he didn’t see much chart action so he changed his tune literally and figuratively, updating his R&B sound to a more modern ‘Soul’ pedigree and looking to further distinguish himself he took on the “Blast” moniker in 1967 with a great side on Stax.

Back in Birmingham in the early 70’s C.L. hooked up with Dees who helped cut a couple of sides that were released on the locally owned Clintone records.  Though they had some national distribution the record failed to chart (why have I written that sentence so many times!).  Blast continued to record on and off throughout the 70s and 80s; Dees and Knight continued writing, staying mostly behind the scenes.  The Clintone label saw the doors close for good in the mid 70s.

Hope you enjoy today’s 45!

-George / Snack Attack

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