The Embers - Aware Of Love / Just Crazy 'Bout You Baby

Stalwarts of the Carolina beach music scene. The Embers have enjoyed a prolific performing and recording career for over six decades. Undeniably, their appeal is to a range of audiences and generations; though like other groups of this genre, their 1960’s recording output holds particular interest among rare soul collectors – and on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Embers were originally formed in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1958 by high school kids Bobby Tomlinson and Jackie Gore. Personnel changes were always fluid during the 1960’s, though always with the presence of Bobby on drums and Jackie on vocals and guitar. Their cover of the Vandellas’ “In My Lonely Room” signified the group’s initial release with a group soul flavour, appearing on JCP in 1964, followed by “Good All Over” in 1965 and “First Time” in 1966, both also on JCP. As the resident band in their own Embers Club, the venue provided the ideal opportunity to hone skills alongside visiting artists such as Jackie Wilson, Little Anthony, Billy Stewart, The Drifters, and others. Inevitably further soul hits followed including a take on Mamie Galore’s “It Ain’t Necessary”, again for JCP in 1966. Enough interest was rustled up for a national release the following year via Bell Records.

The focus of this Big Man Records fully licensed release is the infectious “Just Crazy ‘Bout You Baby”, recorded on The Embers’ own imprint EeE Records in 1967. Popularised by DJ Gary Rushbrook during the latter days of Wigan Casino, this track was issued with different flip sides – one carrying a very competent version of Jerry Butler’s “Aware Of Love”.

Take a listen to both sides....