A Brief Profile of Cliff Nobles by Mike Boone (Chancellor of Soul)

The Boogaloo !!  The Shing-a-ling !!! The Funky Broadway !!! The Tighten Up !!! The Funky Four Corners !!!!!
In various cities across the country, these were most popular dances during the year 1968. A new dance was born early that year, or more or less return, called The Horse. New in Chicago, the Horse was promoted around 1960, but didn't catch on and faded very quickly. Fast forward, 8 years later............

In New York, an independent label located at 888 8th Ave named, 'Heart & Soul' records was run by a lady named Cathy Lynn. She discovered a group called the Preparations and wrote and recorded their first and only hit entitled, "Get-E-Up( The Horse)". Released in Jan of 1968, the song hit number 30 on the national R&B charts during March. This was the first version, promoting the dance in '68. You can hear this particular version, "Get-E-Up (The Horse)" on Soul-Patrol.Net Radio ( WSPR) on "Talkin Soul w / Songs" the show that Baron Keels and myself Mike "Chancellor of Soul" do. Just look for the title, " Best Of Boogaloo" show.  Great dance tune, but it wasn't until a young singer from Mobile, Alabama recorded the song, that it would turn  into a national dance craze.

Galloping into the spotlight is Mr. Cliff Nobles !!!!!!!! Born in 1944, Cliff became interested in music during his years in high school. He joined a local singing group called the Delrays, and shortly afterwards, moved to Philadelphia Pa. He signed with Atlantic records as a solo artist,but found no luck. He lived in a section in Philly named Norristown and formed a group with a few of his buddies called, " Cliff Nobles & Co".   A local producer, Jimmy Rodgers heard a few of the tapes that the group recorded and turned them over to songwriter / producer Jesse James.    Jesse James was writing for a newly formed company in 1967 called, "Phil La of Soul", and recorded the first release and hit for the label entitled, " A Woman Will Do Wrong" by Helene Smith and, later "Boogaloo Down Broadway" by The Fantastic Johnny C (Corley).  Jesse heard Cliff and the group and signed them to the label in early 1968. Cliff recorded his first single for the label but it flopped. Then Cliff would record Jesse's composition,"Love Is All Right" backed by an instrumental named, "The Horse".   Released in April of 1968, Cliff lost out on a potentially great vocal hit. DJ's decided to flip the record over and play the instrumental  side, "The Horse" !!  

 "The Horse", of course was the B side, now became the A side !!!!!!! The Horse went on to sell an instant million copies with in 3 months, hitting No 2 on both the R&B and Pop charts in July '68.   Another masterpiece instrumental that would keep Cliff & Co from hitting No 1 was Hugh Masekela's "Grazing In The Grass". With the song being a hit, Cliff had developed a dance, and travelled around the country making tv appearances on various shows demonstrating how to do the Horse.   I caught Cliff during the summer of '68 at the Apollo theatre performing the dance. What a show !!!!!!!  He also made a guest appearance on a local concert run by singer Tony Lawrence at Mt. Morris Park in Harlem called "The Harlem Cultural Festival" in June 1968.  It was hosted by the late Diana Sands and Tony himself. The show would air on Saturday evenings on Channel 5  in New York, run by Metromedia television. Phil La of Soul would release 3 more singles on Cliff Nobles, " Switch it On",  " Horse Fever" and my favourite one, " Judge Baby, I'm Back" capitalising on the "Here Comes the Judge",  faze at the time.  An LP entitled, " The Horse" was released late that year and is now considered to be a collector's item . Even labelmate, The Fantastic Johnny C would jump on the bandwagon with his dance masterpiece, "Hitch It To The Horse" in tribute to Cliff.

Historians say and I attend to agree that 'The Horse' would be the first instrumental to establish a wonderful group of sessions players named MFSB. Boy could these guys jam or what !!!!!!!!  In 1969, Moonshot records released an LP to capitalise on Cliff's success entitled, "Pony The Horse", which is also a record collector's find as well. Cliff would eventually leave the Phil La of Soul label and sign with Roulette records.  He recorded one single for the label, "Feeling of Loneliness" hitting No 42 on the R&B charts in June of 1973. The last appearance I saw Cliff perform the Horse, was on a local tv show in NY named "Soul Alive", hosted by the late DJ Jerry Bledsoe on Channel 11, during the year 1975.

Cliff Nobles is one of those rare great underrated talented artist who became overshadowed by an accidental musical fate. Regardless, he's one true talent that should not be forgotten. The Horse to me is one of the baddest funkest
tunes in the soul universe !!!!!!! Everytime I hear it, it not only brings back great memories but it makes me one to get up and move !!!

Cliff, we love you my brother and even though it was a mistake, your talent will never be in our eyes underrated. Thanks for a great dance tune, that will always continue to gallop into the sunset of soul forever !!