Gatur Baiting

The Gaturs: Gatur Bait and Cold Bear
From: Wasted (Funky Delicacies, 1994)

I was about to take a break from the funk for a few posts but when the sun is shining like it is at the moment it seemed to be calling out for some true summertime tunes and what better to fill that gap than The Gaturs featuring Willie Tee.

Most famous for his work with the Wild Magnolias, The Gaturs displays an earlier, stripped down funk side to Willie Tee. Although the keyboardist gets his own credit with the group, the Gaturs also featured his brother Earl – the alto/soprano saxophonist from the Magnolias. Widely ignored on their release, the Gaturs output is now recognized as classic New Orleans funk.
Up to a few years ago these recordings were only available on original 45s, the Gaturs never making it as far as a whole album. However they’re now compiled together on a best of record which is well worth picking up.

Gatur Bait is the groups most famous track and has one of the funkiest basslines ever committed to record. I’m aware of a tendency to overuse the term “riff” in my posts but this song is all about it, creating the ultimate in smooth and rolling bass. As soon as this track starts you know it’s a stone cold killer. Calling this song simple would be doing it a disservice but it really is just a supremely finely honed groove with the sweetest of bass breakdowns halfway through. Pure and utter brilliance.

Cold Bear is another dirty funk classic. This time leading with the wah wah guitar it again sets up an irresistible summertime groove. Upfront trumpets and keyboard make this a great example of a song where you really feel how much the musicians are enjoying the music. It’s so damn summery I would expect the sun to come out on even the greyest day if you put this on.

I’ve now updated the link to the album to the record label itself, Tuff City Records. Lots of quality output there and the site’s definitely worth browsing through for some long forgotten gems.