Roy C
Roy C, born Roy Charles Hammond, was a pioneering southern soul singer, songwriter, and record executive best known for his 1965 hit "Shotgun Wedding." His career spanned over five decades, marked by bold, provocative lyrics and a lasting influence on hip-hop through sampled tracks like "Impeach the President."
Roy Charles Hammond was born on August 3, 1939, in Newington, Georgia. He moved to Long Island, New York, at age 17 and initially pursued boxing before turning to music. He sang tenor with the doo-wop group The Genies, contributing to their 1958 single "Who's That Knockin'," which hit number 72 on the Billboard Hot 100.
After military service in the Air Force, Hammond launched his solo career as Roy C. His breakthrough came with "Shotgun Wedding" on the Shout label, a top 20 R&B hit that was especially popular in the UK for its cheeky take on teen pregnancy. He followed with labels like Alaga and Mercury, scoring minor R&B successes such as "Got To Get Enough (Of Your Sweet Love Stuff)" in 1971 and "Don't Blame The Man."
From 1979, Roy C released over 125 records on his Three Gems label, based first in New York and later in Allendale, South Carolina, where he also ran a record shop. Albums like Sex and Soul and tracks such as "Infidelity, Georgia" (aka "Saved By the Bell") became underground party staples, often addressing social and political themes that clashed with major labels. He produced for artists like Dennis Edwards and influenced hip-hop via the Honey Drippers' drum break in "Impeach the President."
Roy C passed away on September 16, 2020, at age 81. His independent spirit and raw southern soul style left a devoted following, especially among Southern transplants, despite lacking mainstream R&B dominance.
More Sex and More Soul
2:57
A2 Show Me Love, I'll Show You Pain
2:51
A3 You've Got Everything I Need
3:53
A4 Great, Great Grandson Of A Slave
2:53
A5 Sure Nuf In Love With You
4:00
B1 After Loving You
3:52
B2 You're So Good To Me
3:17
B3 I Want To Love You, Kiss And Hug You
3:34
B4 Forever, Forever
3:12
B5 Don't Let My Love Get Away
2:53
Label: Mercury – SRM-1-1192
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Southern Soul
Released in 1977 on Mercury Records, More Sex & More Soul is widely considered a southern soul masterpiece that blends seductive musicianship with raw, real-life themes.
The album is noted for its "slow-burning" sound, featuring a sophisticated evolution of southern soul with indie-style arrangements. Critics have praised its "rawness" and "heartfelt delivery," noting it avoids the overproduction common in late '70s R&B.
Roy C. (Roy Charles Hammond) described it as a "concept album about infidelity". His lyrics offer a "wry" and "outspoken" exploration of romantic mischief, specifically in songs like "From The Outside Looking In (He Used To Be My Friend)".
Despite the title's focus on romance, the album includes the politically charged track "Great Great Grandson of a Slave," which reportedly contributed to tensions between Roy C. and his label bosses.
While a "satisfying slab of southern soul," some collectors and critics, including Peter Guralnick, often favor its 1973 predecessor, Sex & Soul, in direct comparisons.
Though it received minimal mainstream R&B airplay at the time, it remains highly revered by soul collectors and served as a foundational influence for later southern soul artists like Marvin Sease and Willie Clayton.
Later reissues on labels like Collectables often include bonus tracks such as "Love Me Till Tomorrow Comes" and "Virgin Girl".
Sex and Soul
A2 Got To Get Enough (Of Your Sweet Love Stuff) 2:46
A3 I'm Falling In Love Again 4:09
A4 I Found A Man In My Bed 2:38
A5 Those Days Are Gone 3:03
A6 She Kept On Walkin' 3:29
B1 I Wasn't There (But I Can Feel The Pain) 3:29
B2 I'm Gonna Love Somebody Else's Woman (Somebody's Lovin' Mine) 3:10
B3 I'll Never Leave You Lonely 3:33
B4 Open Letter To The President 3:09
B5 I'm Bustin' My Rocks (Working On The Chain Gang) 2:32
B6 Back Into My Arms 3:03
Produced, Written and Arranged by Roy C. Hammond
Label: Mercury – SRM-1-678
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Southern Soul
Roy C's Sex & Soul is a seminal Southern Soul/Funk album known for its raw, passionate vocals, deep grooves, and explicit "grown folks" themes of love, desire, and infidelity, blending fiery grit with smooth, sophisticated production reminiscent of early '70s Stax/Volt or Hi Records, featuring standout tracks like "Got to Get Enough (Of Your Sweet Love Stuff)" and the legendary "Don't Blame the Man". It's considered an underrated gem, perfect for soul fans seeking authentic, mature R&B with a distinctive West Indian flavor, making it essential for genre enthusiasts.
The album is considered deep, pure Southern soul, reminiscent of the Stax or Fame labels. It avoids the orchestral arrangements common in "bedroom soul" of the era (e.g., Barry White), instead focusing on a grittier sound with prominent guitars, organ, bass, drums, and horns.
Roy C. delivers his songs with "fiery conviction" and a raw, passionate grit, blending the intensity of Otis Redding with the smoother production of early-70s soul.
The album is notable for addressing adult themes of love, infidelity, and relationships in a direct, unpretentious manner, speaking to a "grown folks" audience. Roy C. also included socially conscious and political songs, such as "Open Letter to the President", which protested the Vietnam War.
Roy C. produced the album himself, contributing to its independent, unique sound, which some reviewers note has a "West Indian flavor". The simple instrumentation and production style were a contrast to some of the more excessive 70s trends.
Despite limited commercial chart success at the time, the album became a cult classic and is considered one of the most underrated soul albums of the early 1970s. It was the first in a trilogy of albums Roy C. released on Mercury, followed by Something Nice (1975) and More Sex & More Soul (1977).