Charles Moffett Family - this should be released!

[mjzee]

Back in the day, i owned the LP "The Charles Moffett Family, vol. 1", which was on Moffett's own label. This is vibrant, exciting music. Shades of the Partridge Family, the whole band consisted of Moffett and his kids Charnett, Mondre, Codaryl, and Charles Moffett Jr., along with Patrick McCarthy. As the link to this blog states "The back cover claims the existence of a full 3 more volumes, but there was never a proper release for any of them. Hopefully this will be somebody’s reissue project!"

I know Mosaic no longer issues Selects, and this doesn't fit JLH's "importance" criteria, but this is wonderful music that should be released.

Waxidermy

[kh1958]

They are one of my favorite bands I heard live at the Caravan of Dreams several times, including one set where Ornette Coleman sat in with them. I recollect that set was filmed (not sure if they were recording as well). At least one of the Moffett Family Band weekends at the club was recorded. I haven't heard the release you mention, but there are two others on a Japanese label--Magic of Love and Africano.

[JSngry]

Apparently the Internet Is Our Friend here, as is Michael!

The mention of The Partridge Family reminds of the We Are The Levitts album on ESP, which tries to be all things to all Levitts, including the teeny bopper Levitts, but also includes some under the radar Chick Corea & Ronnie Cuber for the other Levitts.

But back to the Moffets...Ken, have you heard any of those others?

[paul secor]

I have The Charles Moffett Family Vol. 1 and agree that it's an excellent record. I used to have one of the Japanese CDs - believe that it was Magic of Love, but I no longer have it - and felt that it didn't live up to that first LP. Vol. 1 deserves to be reissued, and it would be great to hear what other music exists from that time.

[kh1958]

I rather like The Magic of Love; the other CD, Africano, is less strong (but still pretty good). I've never seen any evidence of the recordings/video at the Caravan being released in any form.

I noticed that the trumpet playing brother, Mondre, still performs (or at least has a website). A brief search didn't find any current information about the saxophonist brother (whose playing I very much enjoyed).

The little documented Fort Worth saxophonist Rachella Parks usually joined the band by the end of the evening, to strong effect.

[clifford_thornton]

Excellent record - haven't dug it out in a while.

That Levitts LP is an odd one, but definitely has some strong moments.