8/25/2026

The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band – Together (Warner Bros. WS 1761, 1968)

 
 
 
 

 The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band – Together | WS 1761

 
 
 
 
 
 
The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band Together 1968 Warner Bros Seven Arts WS 1761 vinyl album cover

Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records 1968   ‎– WS 1761

 

 notes:

 
 
 Released in 1968, Together was the second album associated 
with The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band and one of the 
group's defining early recordings. The album captures the raw,
 highly rhythmic Los Angeles sound that connected R&B,
 soul and emerging funk.

The LP was issued in the United States by Warner Bros. 
– Seven Arts Records as WS 1761. It contains 14 tracks, mixing
 original material with interpretations of established R&B 
and soul songs, including “Papa's Got a Brand New Bag,” 
“(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction,” “Get Ready,”
 “Stormy Monday” and “Knock on Wood.”

One of the album's highlights is “Do Your Thing,” a Charles Wright 
composition that became the group's breakthrough hit. 
The track grew out of the band's loose, extended groove-based 
performances and subsequently became a major R&B and pop success.

The recording history is particularly interesting for collectors. 
The album was recorded both live at the Haunted House in Hollywood, 
California, and at United Recording in Hollywood. The Haunted House 
was an important venue for the band, whose extended
 live performances helped shape its distinctive funk sound.

The principal musicians associated with the recording include
 Charles Wright and Al “Steel Chest” McKay on guitar,
Melvin Dunlap on bass, James Gadson on drums, Big John Rayford 
and Bill Cannon on tenor saxophone, Ray Jackson on trombone and congas, 
Gabriel Flemings on trumpet, and Joe Banks on trumpet. 
Vocals are credited to Wright, McKay, Gadson, Rayford and Banks.
Arrangements are credited to Gabriel Flemings and Ray Jackson.

credits:


Charles Wright – vocals, guitar
Al “Steel Chest” McKay – guitar, vocals
Melvin Dunlap – bass
James Gadson – drums, vocals
Gabriel “Gabe” Flemings – trumpet, arrangements
Joe Banks – trumpet, vocals
Bill Cannon – tenor saxophone
“Big” John Rayford – tenor saxophone, vocals
Ray Jackson – trombone, congas, arrangements

The album credits list Charles Wright and Fred Smith as producers,
 with Gabriel Flemings and Ray Jackson responsible for arrangements. 
Bill Halverson and Rudy Hill are credited as engineers.

Recording Date

The album was recorded during 1968. A substantial part 
of the material came from a live recording at the Haunted House
 in Hollywood on May 18, 1968. Additional recording was 
completed at United Recording in Hollywood, California.

This combination of live and studio material helps explain 
the unusually energetic character of Together: the Haunted House
 performances capture the band's stage power, while the United 
Recording sessions provided the 
controlled studio environment for additional material.

    

tracks list


A1        Sorry Charlie
Written-By – Charles Wright
3:28
A2        Something You Got
Written-By – C. Kenner*
2:56
A3        65 Bars And A Taste Of Soul
Written-By – Wright*, Flemings*
2:38
A4        Papa's Got A Brand New Bag
Written-By – J. Brown*
3:17
A5        (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
Written-By – Jagger-Richard*
3:09
A6        A Dance, A Kiss And A Song
Written-By – James Gadson
2:33
A7        Phuncky Bill
Written-By – Bill Cannon
2:10
B1        Get Ready
Written-By – William Robertson*
4:10
B2        Stormy Monday
Written-By – T-Bone Walker
4:56
B3        Giggin' Down 103rd
Written-By – Flemings*
3:02
B4        My Summer's Gone
Written-By – James Gadson
3:13
B5        Knock On Wood
Written-By – Eddie Floyd, Steve Cropper
2:50
B6        I Wake Up Crying
Written-By – Bacharach - David*
3:19
B7        Do Your Thing
Written-By – Charles Wright
3:27


 

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