Pittsburgh legends, The Jaggerz are releasing a new album called “The Walk,” June 1st and will be making an appearance at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille in Warrendale. For those that grew up in the 70’s know exactly who this band is. The younger crowd should definitely check them out and you have probably heard their hit song from 1970, “The Rapper,” and didn’t know who it was. Check out the video and press release below.
The Jaggerz, of The Rapper fame, on this blue eyed soul album, feature Jimmie Ross’s passionate soulful singing, their heartfelt five part harmonies, and cool jams on arrangements of 10 classic R&B tunes.
Best known for their Number One gold record smash hit “The Rapper”, The Jaggerz were discovered and produced by the legendary soul music producers Gamble & Huff. The Jaggerz return to their blue-eyed soul music roots on “The Walk”. Led by singer Jimmie Ross the Jaggerz bring their uplifting five part harmonies to their heartfelt arrangements of eight R&B classics and two updated recordings from their 1969 “Introducing the Jaggerz” album: the Gamble & Huff tune “Together ” and The Jaggerz original “That’s Why Baby I Love You”.
In the funky break up song “The Walk” Jimmie Ross sings to his fine looking long legged but black hearted cheating woman who has been jagging him around, “So long you did me wrong… You can walk your long legs, baby, right out of my life.” Jimmie’s passionate soulful voice and the Jaggerz moving harmonies shine on the love ballads “Love Won’t Let Me Wait”, “The Whole Town’s Laughing at Me”. and “That’s Why Baby I Love You”. Donna Groom of the Skyliners guest stars on a duet with Jimmie on the medley arrangement of ” It’s Gonna Take a Miracle/ I’m On The Outside”. The band shows their skillful chops jamming on the uptempo “Move Across the River”, “Stagger Lee”, and “Having a Party” with great solos from renown piano man Hermie Granati, saxophonist Chris Patarin and guitarists Benny Faiella, Dennis McAbee. Five time Grammy winning producer/engineer Jay Dudt of Audile Images crafted a rich warm full sound for co-producers Hermie Granati and Jimmie Ross’s arrangements. It’s an album of soulful old school tunes you can put on and enjoy from start to finish over and over again.
Track List
1. The Walk – by Andrew W Cohon (3:54)
2. At This Moment –by Billy Vera (3:51)
3. (That’s Why) Baby I Love You – lyrics by Bill Maybray and music by Tom Davies (2:55)
4. Move Across the River – by McGhee Granville (4:16)
5. It’s Gonna Take a Miracle/ I’m On The Outside – Teddy Randazzo, Bobby Weinstein and Lou
Stallman (4:07)
6. The Whole Town’s Laughing At Me – by Sherman W Marshall and Ted Wortham (5:17)
7. Stagger Lee – by Harold Logan and Lloyd Price (4:22)
8. Together – by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff (3:40)
9. Love Won’t Let Me Wait – by Vinnie Barret and Bobby Eli (3:46)
10. Having a Party – Sam Cooke (3.56)
Jimmie Ross – Lead Vocals, Bass
Benny Faiella – Guitars, Vocals, Bass
Hermie Granati – Keyboards,Vocals, Arrangements
Dennis McAbee – Guitar, Bass
Paul Martello – Drums, Vocals
Chris Patarini – Sax
Additional Musicians – Rick Mansfield, Ron Levi, Mike Caporizoo, Rege Marki
Track # 5 with Donna Groom of the Skyliners
Tracks 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 10 Recorded at Audible Images,Pittsburgh, Pa.
Produced By: Jay Dudt, Hermie Granati and Jimmie Ross
Tracks 4, 5, 6, 8 Recorded at Dave World Studio, Ambridge,Pa.
Produced by; Hermie Granati and Jimmie Ross Remastered By: Jay Dudt
Executive Producer: Jimmie Ross
This album dedicated to our friends: Porcky Chedwick (RIP) & Jim Kennerdell
Thanks to Ed Salamon, Denise Colombo, Ken Koodrich, Paul Martello, John Roth, and our New Castle connection for turning us on to “Mayer”
And Paul Carosi, The Jaggerz PR and Pittsburgh Music History
Special thanks to our DJ friends for Talking the Talk and Walking “The Walk”
Photography: Moods Image Photography
