MIXING HOT WAX RECORDS PART 1: 100 PROOF AGED IN SOUL

Next to Motown and Casablanca, one of my most favorite labels (actually two under the same umbrella) is the mostly unrecognized Hot Wax and Invictus labels, who's known more for their hits than the label's name itself, like Motown's is.  But they had their own unique sound that still had a little of that Motown influence from their previous works in the mix.

When longtime Motown songwriters Holland-Dozier-Holland left their home label (as well as Jackson 5 and a number of Motown's acts in the early 70's), they formed their own labels, Hot Wax and Invictus, employing hitmakers Freda Payne and girl group Honey Cone, led by Edna Wright.  They also had other groups with numerous charting hits - Laura Lee, 100 Proof Aged In Soul, Flaming Ember, The Glass House (featuring Scherrie Payne, who joined The Supremes in 1974, younger sister of Freda).  Hits like "Band Of Gold" and "Bring The Boys Home" by Freda Payne, "Want Ads" and "Stick Up" by Honey Cone, "Rip Off" by Laura Lee, "Crumbs Off The Table" by The Glass House.  

When I first had taken an interest in mixing, two singles by Hot Wax label group 100 Proof Aged In Soul sounded similar enough to me to try mixing together as one extended single: "Somebody's Been Sleeping In My Bed" and "One Man's Leftovers (Is Another Man's Feast)".  The best way I can describe 100 Proof's sound is "soul-rock" - like a grittier Earth Wind & Fire.  

After most of the groups on both labels had disbanded, H-D-H tried in 1976 reforming 100 Proof with The Four Tops' lead singer Levi Stubbs' brother as the new lead singer of the "new" 100 Proof.  Honey Cone was also reformed with new lead singer Sharon Cash replacing Edna Wright, and I'm not sure who the other two new HC members were.  Both newly reformed groups in 1976 issued one disco flavored single each, and that was the end of those two projects, unfortunately.  And I really liked Sharon Cash's voice - and the only thing we got outta her was a single and flipside! LOL  But there may be other recordings in the vaults H-D-H hasn't released out there yet.  Maybe someday!  

This was made sometime around 2006-08, as I said, my very first mix project.  Back then, I thought it was "just OK".  It could definitely be better and may take another stab at it someday and try something differently with the song transition.  Gimme at least a "C" for effort! ;)

100 PROOF AGED IN SOUL:

"SOMEBODY'S BEEN SLEEPING IN MY BED"/"ONE MAN'S LEFTOVERS (IS ANOTHER MAN'S FEAST)"

7" TWO-IN-ONE MIX BY SCOTT, 2006-08

O. M. G. THAT IS ONE DYNAMITE AFRO!!!!