Roy "C" - Open Letter To The President (Alaga 1006)

Open Letter To The President

REV MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY

As we join together to celebrate the life of this great American, it's good to reflect on how far we've come, but just as important to remember how far we have to go. Today's great B side was released in 1971, and its powerful message still rings true today. Recorded during the heyday of New York Soul (when Godfather still lived off 178th Street in Saint Alban's), it's the real deal.

As the proprietor of his own label, Roy C Hammond was able to speak his mind, and often did (according to Roy, his Impeach The President has been 'sampled' over 200 times).

The awesome song you're listening to now is the flip of the classic Got To Get Enough (Of Your Sweet Love Stuff) and was written and produced by Roy and his long time partner, J Hines. If you've been following case three over at soul detective, you know that Hammond and Hines had their differences over the years, but the body of work they created together withstands the test of time. Hines' guitar is just phenomenal here, as is the rest of the band (check out the cool stereo mix), but it's Roy's lyrics that reach out and grab ya:

"Listen, Mr. President, yeah, this is an open letter to you. I want to know, why don't you stop the fighting and bring all our boys home, that's right..."

It sure is.