The Chambers Brothers

Like their West Coast contemporaries Sly as well as the Family Stone, the Chambers Brothers shattered racial and music divides to forge an incendiary fusion of funk, gospel, blues, and psychedelia which reached its apex using the perennial 1968 song “Time Has Come Today.” The Chambers siblings — bassist George, guitarist Willie, harpist Lester, and guitarist Joe, most of whom added vocals — had been born and elevated in Lee Region, MS; the merchandise of the impoverished sharecropping family members, the brothers first refined their vocal harmonies within the choir of the Baptist chapel, a cooperation which finished after George was drafted in to the military in 1952. Pursuing his release he relocated to LA, where the additional Chambers brothers quickly settled aswell; the foursome started carrying out gospel and folk throughout Southern California in 1954, but continued to be virtually unfamiliar until showing up in NEW YORK in 1965. The addition of white drummer Brian Keenan not merely produced the Chambers Brothers an interracial group, but forced their music nearer to rock and roll & move; a well-received appearance in the Newport Folk Event further improved their growing status, and they quickly documented their debut LP, People PREPARE YOURSELF. Because the Chambers Brothers toured rock and roll clubs (like the famed Fillmore in SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA) and R&B locations (especially the Apollo Theater) as well, their music significantly embraced components of both; after documenting 1968’s Shout! for the Vault label, the group authorized to Columbia to concern Time Has Arrive Today, scoring a significant pop hit using the name monitor, an 11-minute psychedelic spirit epic in it is original recording incarnation. The follow-up, A FRESH Time–A New Day time, yielded another Best 40 strike, a cover from the Otis Redding’s traditional “I CANNOT Switch You Loose,” but following attempts including 1969’s Like, Peace and Joy and 1970’s Live at Fillmore East didn’t maintain the industrial momentum. Upon completing 1972’s Oh My God!, the Chambers Brothers disbanded, and then reunite 2 yrs later on for Unbonded. Best Move made an appearance in 1975, and even though no new studio room records had been forthcoming, the group frequently performed reside in the years to follow, using the brothers also seeking individual tasks; the Chambers Family members Choir, a gospel group like the siblings’ own kids, remained important as well.