I.r.s Volume 2

In the early 70's a band named Catalyst was formed in the heart of Philadelphia. The core of the group was Odean Pope, Sherman Ferguson, Eddie Green and Al Johnson (who was replaced by Tyrone Brown after their first album). The band drew from a wide range of musical styles; jazz, funk, R&B, avant garde and fusion all found their way into the creative sonic tapestry of Catalyst. With the given talents of Catalyst they could have and should have been bigger but sadly they found themselves with little promotion or recognition outside the proximity of Philadelphia. Thankfully Catalyst were able to leave behind four extraordinary recordings that will appeal to both jazz heads and those in the hip hop community.

Satisfaction Guaranteed: The Sound Of Philadelphia Volume 2 celebrates the 50th Anniversary in 2021 of the hugely influential Philadelphia International Records ( 8 CD & 12" Box ).

Meet You In The Morning bounces its way along with Brownie on vocal and guitar with Granville hollering the chorus. Another “rock and roller” that found favour but did not generate sufficient sales. In 1952 he was approached by Dave Miller’s Essex label based in Philadelphia. Essex did not have the resources of Atlantic. They had no house band and no publicity machine. At around this time it is likely that Granville turned to Bob Harris for to play bass with him. He resorted to one of his older compositions and recalled his army days again with a competent and moving performance of No More Reveille. Whiskey Woman and Loaded Dice is simply fun and catchy, the tune being derived from Jimmy Rodger’s version of “In The Jailhouse Now”…