Nat Turner Rebellion (band)

Nat Turner Rebellion (sometimes written as The Nat Turner Rebellion) was an American funk-soul band from Philadelphia. Their line up consisted of band leader Joseph Jefferson, lead singer Major Harris, and instrumentalists Bill Spratley and Ron Hopper.[1] The band was formed in the 1960's in Petersburg, Virginia by Jefferson and recorded in Philadelphia for the label Philly Groove Records. Though most of their material was never released while the band was together, their recordings were eventually added Drexel University's sound archives and were officially released in 2019 by the university's student-run label MAD Dragon Records.

"The Nat Turner Rebellion" redirects here. For the historical event, see Nat Turner's slave rebellion.
Nat Turner Rebellion
Left to right: Major Harris, Ron Hopper, Bill Stratley and Joe Jefferson
Left to right: Major Harris, Ron Hopper, Bill Stratley and Joe Jefferson
Background information
OriginPetersburg, Virginia
Genres
Years active1960s–1972
LabelsPhilly groove
Past members

Formation and Philly Groove Records

In the late 1960s, Jefferson had been touring with Cissy Houston's band, The Sweet Inspirations, as a drummer. However, he became ill with a foot infection and stayed in Philadelphia to recover. During his recovery, he realized that he no longer wanted to play R&B music. Jefferson then returned to his home town of Petersburg, Virginia to put together his own music group, Nat Turner Rebellion, named after the slave rebellion of the same name in 1831. The band toured the east coast of North America, traveling as far north as Montreal, Canada and as far south as Miami, Florida.[1] From 1969 to 1972, Nat Turner Rebellion recorded for Philly Groove Records.[2] Under the record label, they recorded at Sigma Sound Studios, also in Philadelphia. Philly Groove Records released a few singles from the band, but never released their debut album.[2]

Breakup

Nat Turner Rebellion broke apart in 1972 on bad terms, with Jefferson saying that Spratley brandished a gun at him during a dispute about the band's finances.[2]

Rediscovery

The audio archives of Drexel University inherited Sigma Sound Studios' collection of over 7,000 [3] cassette tapes, which included never-released music from Nat Turner Rebellion.[2] Along with the songs that had been released as singles, Drexel discovered fourteen tracks recorded by the band.[3] Drexel University-owned record label MAD Dragon Records, along with the company that owned the publishing rights to Philly Groove Records Catalog, Reservoir, assembled an album of Nat Turner Rebellion's recordings.[2] The title of the album they released was Laugh to Keep from Crying. It was released with Jefferson's permission in 2019.[3] Jefferson, the last surviving member, died a year later at the age of 77.[4] The album was re-released by ORG Music for Record Store Day in 2020.[5]

Style

Music critic Ken Tucker stated that musically, "they were sort of a cross between Sly Stone and Blood, Sweat & Tears. But really, they sounded like no one else."[2] Jefferson stated that vocally, he was inspired by the Temptations, but for rock and roll inspiration he looked to the Rolling Stones. He said that the soul of the Nat Turner Rebellion could be best ascribed to Sly and the Family Stone, saying, "We wanted to be Sly. Didn’t everybody?"[1] Each of the four members sang; they were accompanied by a seven-piece band that included horns.[1]

Discography

Albums
  • Laugh to Keep from Crying (MAD Dragon Records, 2019)

Singles
  • "Ruby Lee / You Are My Sun Sign" 7" on Philly Groove Records (1972)
  • "Love, Peace and Understanding / Getting Higher" 7" on Philly Groove Records (1970)
  • "Tribute to a Slave / Plastic People" 7" on DELVALIANT / Philly Groove Records (unknown, circa 1970)
  • "Can't Go on Livin' / Laugh to Keep from Crying" on Philly Soulville Records (unknown, circa 1970)

References
  1. Crimmins, Peter (23 April 2019). "After 50 years, funk album recorded in Philly finally debuts". WHYY. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  2. Tucker, Ken (May 7, 2019). "Decades Later, Nat Turner Rebellion Makes Its Debut With 'Laugh To Keep From Crying'". NPR. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  3. Kreps, Daniel (26 March 2019). "How a College Music Department Helped Unearth a Long-Lost Philly Funk-Soul Classic". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  4. DeLuca, Dan (27 July 2020). "Joseph B. Jefferson, 77, who led Philly band Nat Turner Rebellion and wrote hits for the Spinners, has died". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  5. "Nat Turner Rebellion". Record Store Day. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
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