Joe Houston
Joe Houston (1926–2015) was a prominent American saxophonist known for his energetic "honking" tenor saxophone style, which bridged the gap between jazz, rhythm and blues, and early rock and roll Born Joseph Abraham Houston on July 11 or 12, 1926, in Bastrop, Texas, near Austin. Originally trained on the trumpet in school before switching to the saxophone as a teenager.
In 1941, he filled in for a missing saxophonist during a concert, and by 1943, he was touring the Midwest with King Kolax’s band. After WWII, he returned to Texas and recorded with major blues and R&B figures like Amos Milburn and Big Joe Turner.
Although he began on the alto sax, he switched to the tenor saxophone, influenced by "honking" players like Big Jay McNeely. Houston became famous for his wild stage presence, often playing his saxophone while on his knees, lying on his back, or walking across bar tops.
In 1952, he moved to Los Angeles and formed his band, The Rockets. That year, he achieved his biggest chart success with the hits "Worry, Worry, Worry" and "Hard Time Baby," both reaching #10 on the Billboard R&B charts. His 1954 instrumental "All Night Long" became a staple of his career and one of his best-selling records.
He recorded for numerous labels (Modern, Crown, Money, etc.) and maintained a working musician's career for decades. From the 1990s through the early 2000s, Houston toured North America and recorded with his band, The Defrosterz, managed by bassist Mark St. John.
His active career was interrupted by a stroke in late 2005/early 2006. Despite this, he made a brief return to performing in 2008 at the Long Beach Lobster Festival and continued until 2012. Joe Houston died at the age of 89 on December 28, 2015, in Long Beach, California.
Kicking Back
A2 T-Bone Disco 3:42
A3 Mr. Big "H" 4:55
A4 Baby What You Want Me To Do 3:57
B1 Trippin' In 5:31
B2 Why Don't You Rock Me 3:03
B3 Kicking Back - Part 1 4:37
B4 Kicking Back - Part 2 3:08
Written by – Houston, Taub
Label: Big Town – BT-1004
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Rhythm & Blues, Funk
Joe Houston's Kicking Back (1978) is an underappreciated funk/blaxploitation-influenced album, praised for its raw, energetic saxophone work, deep grooves, and dynamic blend of blues, funk, and R&B, despite being overlooked upon release due to poor promotion, now rediscovered as a gem for funk enthusiasts. Reviewers highlight tracks like "Mr. Big 'H'" and "Kicking Back" for their thrilling funk, while noting its sound could fit a blaxploitation soundtrack, showcasing Houston's versatile talent beyond his R&B roots.
Blends blues, R&B, disco, and funk, often within the same track, leaning heavily into a 70s blaxploitation soundtrack vibe.
Features Joe Houston's signature "honking" and wailing tenor sax, described as energetic, powerful, and electrifying.
Standout Tracks: "Mr. Big 'H'," "Kicking Back Part One & Two," and "Trippin' In" are cited as thrilling deep funk cuts.
Released on Big Town Records (Modern's subsidiary) but largely ignored at the time, it's now gaining appreciation through reissues by labels like Ace Records.
Seen as a testament to Houston's versatile talent, a "blaxploitation score without a movie," and a valuable piece of his extensive catalogue.
What Critics Say:
"The grooves are no longer rocking R&B but instead resemble a blaxploitation soundtrack... The music sounds brilliant".
"This underappreciated work, a blaxploitation score without a movie, certainly deserves the treatment" (referring to vinyl reissue).
"Free and exhilarating, these funk cuts and 'Trippin' In' are worth the price of this album alone".
In essence, Kicking Back is considered a fantastic funk record, showcasing Joe Houston's enduring talent in a grittier, more contemporary (for the time) sound that's perfect for deep funk fans.