Eramus Hall: “Lost And Found” (2024) Vinyl Review

Eramus Hall was a Detroit-based funk and soul band that released only two albums during its existence. The first, Your Love Is My Desire, which came out in 1980, was re-issued earlier this year through Org Music and Westbound Records, and on yellow vinyl no less! The band’s second album, Gohead, was released in 1984. And that was it, at least until Black Friday, when Lost And Found was released. This record contains rarities and previously unreleased tracks, and the music is presented on transparent smoky vinyl. I do wish there were liner notes letting us know which tracks are the rarities, and which were previously unreleased. But that is of little matter. What is important is that the music is wonderful. The band is made up of Joe Anderson on bass and vocals; Charmie Currie on soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone and vocals; Michael Gatheright on piano, keyboards and lead vocals; Grady Smith on trumpet and vocals; William Tillery on alto saxophone and vocals; James Wilkerson on trumpet, flute, percussion and lead vocals; Marvin Williams on guitar and vocals; and Ronald Wright on drums, percussion and vocals. The record contains mostly original songs.

Side A

The record opens with “Determination,” written by Michael Gatheright, Grady Smith and Marvin Williams. After an interesting and brief opening moment on guitar, it becomes a smooth, cool number, with some disco elements, particularly in some of the percussion work. “Love has its doors open for you/Opened wide, asking you to come through.” Isn’t that what we all want to hear? And we learn that determination is the key. Things then get fun and funky with “Dance To Our Music,” written by James Wilkerson and Ronald Wright. This is exactly what I was wanting when I put this record on. “So come on, everybody, yeah, and dance, dance, dance, dance.” It would be difficult to keep from dancing while this song is playing. Everything about it is working perfectly. I love the beat, love the bass, love the work on keys, love the vocals, everything. And these guys jam on it for a bit. “And when you dance to our music, we put you in the mood.” Oh yes, no question. This track is a total delight, my favorite of the first side of the record.

“Life Has Meaning” grabs me with that intro, in part because I’m not sure what direction it’s going to take, and I’m curious. After that previous track, I’m on board with whatever these guys decide to do. Soon this one takes on a steady beat, one to dance to, and features some bright work from the brass section. It also includes some delicious tangents. I love the drumming throughout the track, but especially during that instrumental section. The band then takes us back to that smoother place with the first side’s final track, “Nice, Smooth, Easy,” a title that seems to describe the music perfectly, as well as the attitude. At the beginning it is almost like a chant of those three words, or mantra, delivered with several shades of cool. How can you help but dig the track? And it turns out to be a love song. “She looks as beautiful as the light of the morning sun.”

Side B

The second side opens with a delicious, fun dance number, “Do The Rock.” When I looked at the track list for the first time, I thought this was going to be a cover of the Tim Curry song, but that is called “I Do The Rock” (why does no one cover that song?). Interestingly, this song came out the same year that the Tim Curry record came out, 1979. This song, written by Rudy Robinson and James Wilkerson, was released as a single. There’s not a whole lot of lyrical content to this one, but that is okay. That’s not what it’s about. “Everybody’s coming close together/Just do, just do the rock.” Okay! I’m not sure how to do the rock, but no matter, my body just wants to move and groove to this track. That’s followed by a cover of “Who’s Makin’ Love,” written by Homer Banks, Bettye Crutcher, Don Davis and Raymond Jackson, and originally recorded by Johnnie Taylor. “Who’s making love to your old lady while you were out making love?” They give us a great, heavy, funky rendition, the bass at the heart of the action, just as it should be, and featuring some great drumming.

“Mr. Softy” has a kind of adorable opening, like we’re about to enter Mr. Rogers’ land of make believe or something. Then a great groove takes over. “Got chocolate, vanilla, strawberry too/Any kind of flavor that tastes good to you.” Yes, it’s a song about ice cream, and that opening was actually a variation on the Mister Softee ice cream truck jingle. This is silly and delightful, and it’s making me wish an ice cream truck would drive by. I’d love some soft-serve vanilla right about now. The song is over all too soon. The record concludes with “Better Days,” another fun, playful, funky number. “Better days are coming around,” they tell us. And soon they ask, “Who can say tomorrow won’t bring those better days?” I’m not sure. But it’s hard to disagree with the next line, “One thing for sure, you know the sun will rise.” I worry that this country is heading toward pretty bad days, toward a much worse place, but I’m determined not to take that ride down. Instead, I’m going to let music like this keep me up.

Record Track List

Side A

1. Determination
2. Dance To Our Music
3. Life Has Meaning
4. Nice Smooth Easy

Side B

1. Do The Rock
2. Who’s Makin’ Love
3. Mr. Softy
4. Better Days

Lost And Found was released on November 29, 2024. By the way, the track list on the Record Store Day website is incorrect. It lists “Hard Luck” and “Beat Your Feet,” and not “Nice Smooth Easy,” “Who’s Makin’ Love” or “Mr. Softy.” I’m not sure what “Hard Luck” is, but “Beat Your Feet” was the flip side to “Do The Rock” and it is oddly just a variation of “Do The Rock,” where instead of shouting “Do the rock,” they shout, supposedly, “Beat your feet,” though actually it sounds like they’re singing “Beat your meat,” which makes much more sense.