Wind down your week with this funk classic from Gordon Staples and The String Thing! Gordon Staples was the concert master for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, who famously played on many a classic Motown records from the 60s.

‘Strung Out’ appears on Staples and the String Thing’s 1970 self-titled album but it also made an appearance on the soundtrack to former American footballer and Blaxploitation legend Fred Williamson’s 1974 flick Mean Johnny Burrows.

An excellent mid-tempo funk groover, with sumptuous strings (obviously) and a nice bit of wah-wah drums, it’s the perfect primer for the weekend.

Gordon Staples And The String Thing – Strung Out

The Luv You Madly Orchestra was a special Duke Ellington disco tribute band put together by producer Stephen James. Their self-titled debut LP was released in 1978 on the legendary Salsoul, but today’s SOTD is all about Walter Gibbons’ exceptional mixing duties on the 12″ single ‘Moon Maiden’ and this, its b-side.

‘Rocket Rock’ is more conventional than ‘Moon Maiden’ but still has that weird and wonderful Gibbons’ touch. The cosmic strings and opulent percussion only show off a tiny part of Gibbons’ eccentric genius.

I could go on and on about Walter Gibbons today but I won’t, as the special guy deserves a much bigger feature than this. As one the unique talents of disco, Gibbons’ work through production to DJing has left an indelible mark on modern dance culture. As I mentioned before, a proper Walter feature (ho!) is probably in order. (I’ll start planning one asap). So go on, take a ride.

Luv You Madly Orchestra – Rocket Rock

Luv You Madly Orchestra – Rocket Rock