Memphis iconic singers and performers The Bar-Kays are reintroducing themselves to past fans and the younger hip hop generation with their new album Grown Folks – their first studio album since 1988.
The remaining members of the band are James Alexander and Larry Dodson.
James Alexander, who is the father of award-winning hip hop music producer Jazze Pha, real name Phalon Anton Alexander, called upon his son to collaborate with the Bar-Kays on the new album ‘Grown Folks.’
The Bar-Kays began in Memphis, TN back in 1966 as a studio session music group, backing major artists at Memphis record label Stax Records, that was until they were chosen in 1967 by Otis Redding to play as his backing band.
Unfortunately, four of the original band members – Jimmy King (born 1949; guitar), Ronnie Caldwell (born 1948; electric organ), Phalon Jones (born 1949; saxophone), and Carl Cunningham (born 1949; drums) died in the plane crash, which also claimed the life of Otis Redding on December 10, 1967.
Jazze Pha was actually named after Bar-Kays member Phalon Jones, the original Bar-Kays sax man.
Stax Records continued under the supervision of new co-owner, Al Bell, who was recently in the news for coming on to the national music program The Consortium MMT (Memphis Music Town) headed up by Memphis ‘Soul Man’ and ‘Hold On, I’m Comin’ songwriter and producer, David Porter, as reported on MemphisRap.com.
The group re-formed consisting of Cauley; Alexander; Harvey Henderson, saxophone; Michael Toles, guitar; Ronnie Gorden, organ; Willie Hall, drums and later Larry Dodson (formerly of fellow Stax act The Temprees), lead vocals.
Bar-Kays went on to back dozens of major Stax artists on recordings, including Isaac Hayes’s Hot Buttered Soul.
Barkay’s would go on to work on studio albums up until 1988 with their last album Animal.
Now remaining members of the band James Alexander and Larry Dodson have hooked up with Jazze Pha for this new album and new lead single and music video “Grown Folks.”
Check out the music video with James Alexander and Larry Dodson – The Bar-Kays- featuring Jazze Pha, Phalon Anton Alexander, for the new single “Grown Folks” below.
Also check out the additional video of The Bar-Kays band performing the old school hit Shake Your Rump to the Funk.
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