Long time Milwaukee area performer Black Wolf has been trying to make waves in the music industry since the early 1970s – perhaps his biggest claim to fame until this point was recording a couple of tracks at Curtis Mayfield’s Curtom studios as part of the group The Essentials. In 2004, Black Wolf befriended Andy Noble when the two met at Andy’s Milwaukee record shop, Lotus Land. The two shared their passion and considerable knowledge for soul, funk and classic R&B and decided to form Kings Go Forth, a ten piece who have gained a significant reputation in and around Milwaukee for the quality of their live shows, a quality which shows on their debut album, following a handful of 45 releases.

The band play a rich percussive sound that’s authentic in its sound and production. A fiery break on the opening track One Day sets a standard which is perhaps never equalled elsewhere on the album but when the second track fires up, the super tight I don’t Love You No More, any complaints are shelved, then we are transported to a more Northern Soul sound with You’re The One, and the anthemic Fight With Love and dreamy High On Your Love. There’s even a remix by legendary producer Tom Moulton who phoned to ask if he could do it. Its hard to describe the exact quality of Black Wolf’s vocal style but if I can put a compliment his way, at times he reminds me of Jackie Wilson. Anyway you don’t have to take my word for it as you can listen to the entire album yourself right here http://luakabop.com/kings_go_forth/

Well worth a mention is the fantastic cover art by none other than “Imaginary Soul Superstar” Mingering Mike, who deserves an article of his own on this site, which I promise will be forthcoming. This is the first time Mike has created cover art for a record that actually exists!