Ever had a music teacher who cared? I did. In Junior High, Mr. Wells told the class that there was a new band that he had read about, called Blood, Sweat & Tears. He then played the LP for the class, pointing out different parts that he thought were of note. In a matter of months, every kid in that class would be saturated with the music he played, courtesy of Top 40 stations that ended up playing them relentlessly. But he taught an important lesson that day; he taught us how to really listen to music. That said, he wasn't unique. There are music teachers everywhere who perform at all different levels of giving a shit. Some really, really give a shit. Conrad Johnson was like that.
Conrad Johnson was not really just a music teacher. To hard core funk fiends he's known as the teacher who catalyzed the Kashmere Stage Band, transforming them from a ordinary high school band into a world class funk powerhouse. He taught them to play, took them into the studio, and produced their (now highly collectible) eight LPs and three 45s. Between 1969 and 1977, they won 42 out of 46 band competitions. In recent years, their music has been sampled and reissued, elevating the once tightly guarded DJ secret to legendary status. Today, many of the former members are still professional musicians. That's a music teacher who cares.
If you have any doubts that their music merits attention, wait until you hear them. Below are links to three pages, with a song on each. "Kashmere," an original, is the bands signature song. "Thank You" is a Sly cover, and "Take Five," is an awesome reworking of the Dave Brubeck hit. (Really, though, I recommend getting the two disc compilation "Texas Thunder Soul 1968 - 1974.") The other links are worthwhile too, all of them. Dig in.
Kashmere Stage Band - Kashmere mp3 atMotel de Moka
Kashmere Stage Band - Thank You mp3 at LifeSignsProject
Kashmere Stage Band - Take Five mp3 at CarlSandburgVisits
Kashmere Stage Band Movie Premiere Reunion story and video at Soul Sides
Thunder Soul, the movie, official web site
High Resolution image of the movie poster
Kashmere Retakes the Stage, article about a 2008 benefit reunion at the Houston Chronicle
Conrad Johnson's Obituary at Stones Throw
Kashmere Stage Band discography
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