A pioneering funk band is now they are being celebrated with the kind of collections that its iconic music deserves. Dyke & The Blazers was one of the earliest funk acts to emerge in the mid-’60s soul scene, alongside artists like James Brown and The Meters. Hailing from Phoenix, AZ, the band was known for their tight guitar riffs, grooving jazz organs, upbeat horns, and frontman Arlester “Dyke” Christian’s coarse yet commanding vocals.
After years of the group’s work being coveted by cratediggers and beatmakers, Craft Recordings is now releasing two new collections celebrating the music of Dyke & The Blazers, available on digital platforms and vinyl. Titles include the 20-track Down on Funky Broadway: Phoenix (1966–1967) and the 21-track I Got a Message: Hollywood (1968–1970). Together, they span the group’s short but impactful career with new stereo mixes of old favorites, a trove of previously unreleased material (including demos, radio spots, and unearthed songs), and freshly remastered audio by acclaimed engineer Dave Cooley.
Additionally, booklets for both LPs feature rare imagery of the band and ephemera, plus new liner notes from the compilations’ producer, Alec Palao. Accompanying oral histories also provide deep insight, thanks to new and archival interviews with band members and other key players, including manager Art Barrett, and legendary radio personality Art Laboe, who released Dyke & The Blazers’ music on his Original Sounds label.
The collections include the group’s seminal hits, including “Funky Broadway,” “So Sharp,” “Funky Walk,” “We Got More Soul,” “Let a Woman Be a Woman – Let a Man Be a Man,” “Uhh” and “You Are My Sunshine.”
It is a pure treat that these collections have been released, and the music of Dyke & The Blazers will be a revelation for those who haven’t heard it before. We’re proud to present this collection as our Featured Album on SoulTracks. Check out clips below!
