Deep Groove Encyclopedia

Whatnauts

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The Whatnauts were a vocal group from Baltimore, Gerald Pinkney, Billy Herndon and Garrett Jones. Their music can best be described as sweet soul with a hint of desperation because many of their popular songs dealt with troubled relationships and the hurt that they caused; some people call this "heartache soul." Titles that fall into this category include "Please Make The Love Go Away," "I'll Erase Your Pain" and "What's Left To Give," all produced by Jersey kingpin George Kerr. Their collaboration with Linda Jones, "I'm So Glad I Found You," is surprisingly restrained given the emotional fireworks both were capable of.

Among their hits in a topical vein are "Why Can't People Be Colors Too" and "Message From A Black Man." Their duet with the Moments, "Girls," was an early disco favorite. Their final hit was the groovy "Help Is On the Way," sampled by De La Soul for "Ring Ring Ring."

Whatnauts' Deepest Grooves

Introducting the Whatnauts (Stang, 1970)

Reaching For the Stars (Stang, 1971)

On the Rocks (Stang, 1972)

"Girls" - The Moments and the Whatnauts (Stang, 1975)

"Help Is On The Way" (Harlem International, 1981)

Definitive Whatnauts Collection (Deep Beats, 1997)
Double disc anthology gives you everything of interest that the group recorded. It may be a good idea for someone to put together a single disc retrospective since only hardcore fans would likely need 37 servings of their music.

I'll Erase Away Your Pain (Collectables, 1999)
More palatable to casual listeners, this single-disc compilation makes an effort to showcase the heartache and uptempo sides of this group in equal amounts.