TRAX ON WAX

TRAX were a LONDON based POP SOUL group who released a couple of 45's on FRESH AIR RECORDS during 1974. The label was run by REAL THING manager TONY HALL and put out a number of interesting soul related records during a three year period. London had a well established scene for live SOUL / FUNK bands by the mid 70's, but the record industry continually struggled in it's efforts to market them to the general public. The TRAX records were a case in point. The A and B sides of both records were self penned and display different facets of the bands sound. The A-Sides: '' WASN'T IT NICE '' and '' NUMBER ONE LOVER '' were both upfront and compelling numbers that built upon the work of two of the most successful LONDON POP / SOUL groups of the previous decade. The former appears to bear the influence of the CALYPSO / SOUL sound of THE EQUALS and the later the POP / MOTOWN derived melding of THE FOUNDATIONS. Both contained strong hooks, crisp harmonies and snappy brass arrangements, but despite their obvious merit and the bands unique and eye catching ORANGE HAIR / PVC CLOTHING combo, they failed to get the attention they clearly deserved. The B-Sides: '' BLACK BOY '' and '' HOUNDS '' are something else entirely and wonderful in their own right. Both are stylish CINEMATIC FUNK based numbers with lyrics that include a fair degree of SOCIAL COMMENTARY. Neither would sound out of place on the CURTIS MAYFIELD '' SUPERFLY '' soundtrack. Unfortunately there isn't much info about the band online apart from a brief bio here which names the lineup and tantalizingly mentions an unreleased 3rd single! Surprisingly they also failed to get a mention in the otherwise excellent '' SOUNDS LIKE LONDON - 100 YEARS OF BLACK MUSIC '' book by LLOYD BRADLEY. It's regrettable that such a quality act has barely been acknowledged - If anyone has more info on the band: Please leave a comment below or get in touch at: denimdisco@hotmail.co.uk