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The Ramong Sound

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The Ramong Sound was a British R&B, soul and ska band, active from 1965 to 1966.

The Ramong Sound
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Years activec 1966 - 1967
SpinoffsThe Foundations
Past membersRaymond Morrison
Clem Curtis
Arthur Brown
Alan Warner
Peter Macbeth
Lyndsay Arnold
Con (Surname unknown)
Mike Falana

Background

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The Ramong Sound was a London-based outfit, that featured two black lead singers doing Sam & Dave styled duets, one of them being Raymond Morrison (aka Ramong Morrison[1]), and the other being a former professional boxer, Clem Curtis[2] who had also done some wrestling.[3]

Morrison had left Jamaica and arrived in London in 1954.[4] During his time, Morrison (also known as Ray Morrison) had worked with Trev Thoms.[5] He had also fronted or sung with The Graham Bond Organisation for a brief period.[citation needed]

Nigerian born Mike Falana was a member for a period of time and had been a star in his own right.[6][7] He had been a member of the African Messengers,[8] The Johnny Burch Octet,[9] the Graham Bond Organisation, having replaced Jack Bruce.[10]

Prior to joining the Ramong Sound, 25 yo Clem Curtis was a professional boxer and had worked as a painter and interior decorator.[11]

Guitar player Alan Warner was an experienced musician, and joined the Ramong Sound after having worked in various bands. He would stay with the group through all of their name change evolutions from Ramongs to Foundations, until he left the Foundations in 1970 to join progressive rock band Pluto.[citation needed]

At some stage, the group was called The Ramongs,[2] or The Ramong.[12] It may be that the last title in the succession of name changes was The Ramong Sound as the name was being used in early 1967.[13]

At one point, the group had been discovered by Ron Fairway.[14] In August 2023, Alan Warner was interviewed by Jack Hodgins of the Australian radio station, 2NUR FM. The interview appears to suggest that Raymond Morrison was still in the group when Ron Fairway approached them.[15]

History and career

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Group leader Ramong (Raymond Morrison) was looking for backing singers. Clem Curtis's uncle told him about it, and he should give it a try. At this time Curtis' singing experience was more or less limited to singing with his uncle when he came around the house with the guitar. So, Curtis went along and joined up.[16] He joined The Ramong Sound as a backing singer. He later was sharing the lead with Raymond Morrison.[17] The group had a steadily growing reputation and following around the London club scene due to their energetic performances. [citation needed] Morrison and Curtis performed duets.[18] Even though Curtis lacked the experience, he was able to work on his style then.[19]

It appears that the original lead singer, Ramong Morrison (Raymond Morroson), whom the group was named after, was imprisoned for six months in January 1967,[20][12] the group attempted to recruit Rod Stewart, but Stewart had other plans.[21] Later, a friend of the band called Joan suggested Arthur Brown as a replacement.[22] When Brown walked in for his rehearsal at the Westbourne Grove bar, he saw the drummer was bent backwards over the bar with Clem leaning over him with a spear at his throat.[23] Contrary to his wild image he had with The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, he was very straight when he joined the band and he didn't drink, smoke or take drugs.[24] While with the group, Brown and Curtis would do songs separately as well as together in Duets. They were covering mainly soul music material. Years later in an interview Brown stated that he was "chuffed" to be singing with Curtis. Incidentally Brown already had his Crazy World band up and running at the same time.[25] Around this time they had gone through a succession of name changes that included The Foundation Sound,[12] The Foundation Squad,[26] and would eventually evolve into The Foundations.[27] Arthur Brown would leave the band after a couple of months.[24] He may have left in June that year.[28]

The group emerged in early 1967 with a new horn section consisting of Dominican trombonist Eric Allandale and Jamaican saxophonists Pat Burke and Mike Elliott filling roles once held by Mike Falana and the other horn player(s). Drummer Tim Harris filled the position once held by Lyndsay Arnold, and Clem Curtis was now the lead singer.[citation needed]

The group had been living in a former gambling den called The Butterfly Club which they ended up running. They were eventually forced out by a protection racket gang and had to move next door into what was described as a squalid disused mini-cab office.[1]

The 4 February 1967 issue of Melody Maker shows a booking for The Ramong Sound (misspelt as The Ramog Sound) at the All-Star Club at 9a Artillery Passage, London E1 on Sunday, 5 February 1967.[13]

At some stage the group was discovered by Ron Fairway who introduced them to Barry Class.[29][1]

The Foundations would go on to have several hits,[30] including "Baby Now That I've Found You" with Clem Curtis on lead vocals[31] and later with Colin Young on "Build Me Up Buttercup".[32]

Later years

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Raymond Morrison

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Having completed his six-month prison sentence, Morrison took legal action against The Foundations. As reported in the 27 July 1968 issue of Melody Maker, Morrison took it to court in a bid to put a freeze on a proportion of the group's earnings. Morrison claimed that he had discovered the talent of the group. But with his association to the group having been severed by his imprisonment etc., the Judge who heard the case, Judge Stamp said that he couldn't understand how he could have any share or interest in a song ("Baby Now That I've Found You") that came into existence after he had severed his connection with the group.[20]

Raymond Morrison would record a single "Girl I Want to Hold You" backed with "Money Can't Buy Life", released on the Sugar label in January, 1970. It had a short review by Chris Welch of Melody Maker. Noting Morrison's distinctive vocals and the bright backing beat, he referred to it as A sort of bluebeat come reggae come throat pastille boogaloo.[33]

Hawk & Hyfan Records

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Later in the late 1970s, Morrison founded his record label, Hawk Records located at 243 Finchley Road, London NW3. He ran it with his wife Tamara. A co-director was Carl Lewis.[34][4] In a duo with Tam (Tamara) called Ram & Tam, he recorded a succession of singles in the late 1970s for the Hawk and Hyfan labels.[35][36] One of their singles, "Hawk in Flight" (Part 1) was the Cup Winner in Kelly Pike's Saturday Afternoon Fever review in the 24 June 1978 issue of Record Mirror. Pike said it was well-worth a listen, and mentioned the great backing track and the occasional Althea & Donna-type vocals drifting over it.[37] Another single, "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", released on Hawk HSP in 1979,[38] got onto the reggae chart for a few weeks, and by 15 December that year, it was at no. 25.[39][40] When their record was charting, the Duo had been appearing every Friday and Saturday at the Black-owned Ramaras Club & Restaurant, a venue known for featuring reggae music.[41][40] By 1981, the duo had expanded into a trio called Ram Tam & jo. They had a 12" single "Cherries" released on Hawk HSP 9.[42] Ram & Tam also released an album Love & Life in 1986.[43]

The Ramong name would be used for "Reggae's Back In Town", an Owen Grey release on the Hyfan label. The record was produced by Ramong and Totoman.[44]

Clem Curtis

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Clem Curtis quit The Foundations around September, 1968 to embark on a solo career.[45] In 1969, Curtis was in the US and was involved with Cowsills Productions, which was connected to the group The Cowsills. He had signed to Liberty Records with a single "Marie Take A Chance" in the pipeline.[46] He recorded a succession of singles for various labels throughout the 70s,[47][48] and along the way having a disco hit in 1975 with "Unchained Melody"[49] and "On Broadway".[50][51] He carried on with releases into the 2000s with the last being Lord Large Feat. Clem Curtis, "Stuck in a Wind Up" / "Move Over Daddy".[47][48] He had also been at the helm of various lineups of The Foundations over the years.[52]

Death

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According to jazz musician and historian Anote Ajeluorou, Mike Falana had health issues and died abroad,[53] and according to an article on the Otherweis... website, he died in 1995.[54]

Raymond Morrison died at age 81 in Jamaica in February 2013.[55]

Clem Curtis died aged 76 in March 2017.[56]

Former personnel

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Personnel
Name Role Notes
Raymond Morrison aka Ramong Morrison lead vocals
Clem Curtis lead vocals
Arthur Brown lead vocals
Alan Warner guitar, backing vocals
Peter McBeth bass guitar
Con keyboards
Lyndsay Arnold drums
Mike Falana trumpet
Unknown other horns
  • Note In an interview with Sandy Kaye on her Sandy Kaye Presents - A Breath of Fresh Air episode dated, 25 October 2023, Allan Warner said that the Ramong Sound had an Australian guy on drums and a South African guy on keyboards.[57]

References

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  1. ^ a b c It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine, 22 July 2011 - Pluto interview with Paul Gardner & Alan Warner
  2. ^ a b 50 Connect -A Chat With The Foundations' Clem Curtis
  3. ^ Melody Maker, 31 August 1968 - Page 4 Clem to quit Foundations?
  4. ^ a b BM Black Music & Jazz Review, April 81 Voll 3 Issue 12 - Publisher R.W. Daniell - Page 17 HAWK vs HAWK, Frances Taylor meets RAM, TAM & JO,
  5. ^ Barking Spider, 6 October. 2005 - Hawkwind artistes JUDGE TREV & JAKI WINDMILL at The R.M.A on Friday.!!!!!
  6. ^ The Wire June 2019 (Issue 424) - Page 37 Mike Falana: The talented Nigerian trumpeter was a star of UK jazz until he vanished from the London scene. By Val Wilmer
  7. ^ The Musicians' Olympus - Trumpet Players, F, Mike Falana
  8. ^ Oxford Music Online - King (Adeyoyin Osubu), Peter
  9. ^ Black Popular Music in Britain Since 1945, By Jon Stratton, Nabeel Zuberi · 2016 - ISBN 978-1-317-17389-2 - Chapter 2 Melting Pot Page 30 - 31
  10. ^ Blowing the Blues, fifty years of playing the British blues, by Disck-Heckstall-Smith and Pete Grant, 1989, ISBN 1-904555-04-7 - 1:4 THE BEGINNING OF THE GRAHAM BOND ORGANIZATION Page 62
  11. ^ "The Foundations singer Clem Curtis has died, age 76". The Telegraph. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  12. ^ a b c The Original Pluto Rock Band – The Original Pluto Rock Band, Biography
  13. ^ a b Melody Maker, 4 February 1967 - Page 13 CLUBS, THE NEW ALL-STAR CLUB
  14. ^ Strange Brew - The Ways and Means
  15. ^ 2NUR FM103.7, Wednesday 23 August 2023 - Vinyl Vibes by Jack Hodgins - Alan Warner - Original Guitarist of the Foundations 15:50 - 17:00
  16. ^ 40 Hits, 40 Stories Behind Top Songs of the 1960s and 1970s, by Rick Simmons (2023) ISBN 978-1-4766-4690-9 (ebook) - Page 183 #33 (R&B Charts), "Baby, Now That I've Found You" (1967), THE FOUNDATIONS
  17. ^ Noise 11, 28 March 2017 - R.I.P. Clem Curtis of The Foundations 1940-2017 by ROGER WINK, VVN MUSIC
  18. ^ Cherry Red Records, 13 June 2022 - NEWS, THE FOUNDATIONS| DISCOVER THE ‘PYE’ RECORDINGS OF THE FOUNDATIONS IN THIS NEW COLLECTION – ‘AM I GROOVIN’ YOU’
  19. ^ Vinilo Negro, 28 marzo, 2017 - Muere a los 76 años, Clem Curtis, vocalista principal, de The Foundations
  20. ^ a b Melody Maker, 27 July 1968 - Page 4 MORRISON CLAIM
  21. ^ It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine, 22 July 2011 - Pluto interview with Paul Gardner & Alan Warner, You were in The Foundations and recorded four albums.
  22. ^ Alan Warner Website – THE FOUNDATIONS
  23. ^ Louder, 15 January 2004 - Arthur Brown: Fire Starter by Hugh Fielder
  24. ^ a b The Little Box Office - The Foundations, Story of The Foundations By Ralph Gowling, Deputy Editor of The Beat magazine
  25. ^ Breznikar, Klemen (22 January 2012). "The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and Kingdom Come | Interview". It's Psychedelic Baby! Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  26. ^ Noise 11, MARCH 28, 2017 - R.I.P. Clem Curtis of The Foundations 1940-2017 by ROGER WINK
  27. ^ Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2017, By Harris M. Lentz III, (2017) ISBN 978-1-4766-2912-4 (ebook) - Page 88 Curtis, Clem
  28. ^ Disc and Music Echo, 21 October 1967 - Page 10 FOUNDATIONS -EIGHT NAMES FROM NOWHERE, *STARNOTE One pop name who got away from the Foundations is the much-publicised Arthur Brown
    "He was with us for a while about four months ago-but left to start his own scene," said Tony.
  29. ^ The Strange Brew - The Ways and Means
  30. ^ Goldmine, 25 Jul 2022 - CD box sets for summer 2022, from The Foundations to Bubblerock by David Thompson, The Foundations, Am I Groovin’ You - the Pye Anthology, Strawberry - 3 CDs
  31. ^ The Guardian, 28 March 2017 - Foundations lead singer Clem Curtis dies aged 76 by Kevin Rawlinson
  32. ^ American Songwriter - The Meaning Behind the Classic "Build Me Up Buttercup" by the Foundations, Colin Young BY JACOB UITTI
  33. ^ Melody Maker, 31 January 1970 - NEW POP SINGLES BY CHRIS WELCH, RAYMOND MORRISON: "Girl I Want To Hold You" (Sugar)
  34. ^ Tighten Up!: The History of Reggae in the UK, Michael De Koningh, Marc Griffiths · 2003 - PAGE 248 Name: Hawk
  35. ^ "Raymond Morrison Discography – UK – 45cat". 45cat.com. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  36. ^ "Ram & Tam". discogs. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  37. ^ Record Mirror, 24 June 1978 - Page 10 Singles Referred by Kelly Pike, SATURDAY AFTERNOON FEVER
  38. ^ James Hamilton's Disco Page - RAM & TAM: ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow’ (HAWK HSP 8)
  39. ^ Music Week, 10 November 1979 - Page 47 DISCS, RAM & TAM New Single "WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW" in the reggae charts at no. 32
  40. ^ a b Music Week, 15 December 1979 - Page 32 DISCS, RAM & TAM New Single "WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW" in the reggae charts at no. 25
  41. ^ Black Enterprise, August, 1980 - Page 116 HER MAGESTIE'S ISLES, Pubs, bagpipes, and reggae- all yours in the culturally diverse British Isles, Have a cold beer in a Scottish club and meet the warm, friendly people ...
  42. ^ Music & Video Week, 14 February 1981 - Page 26 SELECT SINGLES Reviewed by TONY JASPER, RAM TAM & JO Cherries (Hawk HSP 9, Indie) 12"
  43. ^ Who Sampled - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow by Ram & Tam
  44. ^ Discogs - Hyfan Records, Owen Grey* Reggae's Back In Town (12", Single)
  45. ^ Melody Maker, 14 September 1968 - Page 4 Clem finally Quits
  46. ^ Billboard, 19 April 1969 - Page 4 Curtis, Nicely Signings Mark Cowsills' Management Entry
  47. ^ a b "Clem Curtis – 45cat Search". 45cat.com. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  48. ^ a b "Clem Curtis". discogs. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  49. ^ James Hamilton's Disco Page - A full list of all Record Mirror UK Disco Chart entries, 1975-1979, Clem Curtis Unchained Melody (RCA) — 25 August 1979: 75, 3
  50. ^ Music Week, September 1, 1984 - Page 40 ILA AIRPLAY GUIDE, (Independent Airplay Action in UK) TOP 12
  51. ^ Music Week, September 29, 1984 - ILA AIRPLAY GUIDE, (Independent Airplay Action in UK) TOP 10 . . .
  52. ^ Soul Tracks - R.I.P. Clem Curtis, lead singer of The Foundations
  53. ^ The Guardian, 06 May 2015 - Arts, Sacthmo Jazz Festival 2015... Providing historical outline of Nigeria's jazz heritage By Anote Ajeluorou
  54. ^ Otherweis..., Sunday, June 25, 2017 - Substituting for The Who
  55. ^ Media, Citrus. "Raymond Morrison – Obits Jamaica". obitsjamaica.com. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  56. ^ "Clem Curtis, lead singer of the Foundations – obituary". The Telegraph. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  57. ^ Sandy Kaye Presents - A Breath of Fresh Air channel, 25 Oct 2023 - (Alan Warner section) 37:30 Ramong Sound
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