Deep Groove Encyclopedia

Brick

brick.jpg (123154 bytes)

Click below for a Brick sample:

We Don't Wanna Sit Down, We Wanna Get Down

Brick are the grandfathers of the Atlanta soul scene that is so popular these days. Back in 1976, when "Dazz" blasted onto the airwaves, it was rare to see a major act not based in Detroit, New York, Philly, or Los Angeles. But that hard funk of "Dazz" put both themselves and Atlanta on the map.

Brick came together in the early 1970s, organized by reed player Jimmy Brown. The other members were Eddie Irons (drums),Reggie Hargis (guitar), Ray Ransom (bass), and Donald Nevins (keys). After dutifully paying their dues on the local scene, they were signed by Bang, best known for their Neil Diamond records.

"Music Matic" was a disappointing debut, but "Dazz" proved to be something entirely different. Meant to symbolize a fusion of disco and jazz, in retrospect it seems the term was a slick marketing tool since Brick's music fit safely within the confines of soul music. Nevertheless, it is one of the catchiest grooves of its time and a guaranteed old school favorite. Con Funk Shun also took immediate inspiration from "Dazz" on their "Ffun."

The self-titled Brick was their creative benchmark and produced several hits, "Dusic," "Living From the Mind" and "Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody." They had some success with "Push Push" at the end of the 70s, but 1981's "Sweat" was their last hit.

Brick's Deepest Grooves

Good High (Bang, 1976)
Horrible cover art but "Summer Sunset," "Brick City," and "Music Matic" are good complementary pieces to "Dazz."

Brick (Bang, 1977)

Best of (Epic, 1995)