Paul Humphrey and the Cool-Aid Chemists (1969)

Funky instrumentals from a bunch of seasoned session pros.

This entertaining if rather low key collection of organ-led jams is a cult album of the rare groove scene.

On keys we have Clarence McDonald, who may not be a familiar name, but his organ and piano were featured on countless soul, blues and '70s jazz sessions. Guitar comes from David T. Walker, whose Wes Montgomery influenced debut album is high on my want-list. Bassman Bill Upchurch (no relation to Phil Upchurch) worked for Motown, among others.

Wikipedia informs us, that
"Paul Nelson Humphrey is an American jazz and funk/R+B drummer.

He worked as a session drummer in the 1960s for jazz artists such as Wes Montgomery, Les McCann, Kai Winding, Jimmy Smith, Charles Mingus, Lee Konitz, Blue Mitchell and Gene Ammons.

As a bandleader, he recorded under the name Paul Humphrey and the Cool Aid Chemists, with Clarence MacDonald, David T. Walker, and Bill Upchurch. In 1971, this ensemble had two hits, "Cool Aid" (US #29, US Black Singles #14) and "Funky L.A." (US Black Singles #45).

Humphrey was one of the drummers on Marvin Gaye's album Let's Get It On. He also recorded with Steely Dan, Frank Zappa, Jerry Garcia, Jimmy Smith, The Four Tops, Al Kooper, Jackie DeShannon, Natalie Cole, Albert King, Quincy Jones, Dusty Springfield, Jean-Luc Ponty, Michael Franks, Maria Muldaur, and others."

Pretty impressive list of sideman jobs, isn't it? And that list misses his work for the Lawrence Welk show...


"Cool Aid" was a considerable hit, personally i can't stand the fake audience sounds, though. Buddy Miles' "Them Changes" and Stevie Wonder's "Music Talk" are really nice groovers. The ballads, "Sack Full Of Dreams" and "Something", are too slimy for my taste.

On "Baby Rice" Clarence McDonald unpacks his array of keyboard sounds and effects, while "Detroit" is a nice stepper. "Ain't That Peculiar" is the one ballad here that works really nice. "Funky L.A." has some uncredited vocals.

There's nothing really spectacular happening here, but if you're in the mood for some nice funky jams, you sure could do worse.


Paul Humphrey And The Cool-Aid Chemists: s/t
Lizard A 20106, US 1969

A1 Cool Aid (Mekler) 2:40
A2 Them Changes (Miles) 3:20
A3 Sack Full Of Dreams (McFarland/Savary) 3:25
A4 Music Talk (Wonder/Paul) 4:15
A5 Something (Harrison) 2:20

B1 Baby Rice (Humphrey) 2:54
B2 Detroit (Humphrey) 2:31
B3 Ain't That Peculiar (Robinson/Moore/Tarplin/Rogers) 2:55
B4 Dreams (Allman) 3:06
B5 Funky L.A. (Porter) 2:59

Clarence McDonald (keys) David T. Walker (g) Bill Upchurch (b) Paul Humphrey (d)
Recorded At Sound Factory Hollywood