• Aaron Neville – Hercules
    • 1. Aaron Neville – Hercules
    • 2. Cyril Neville – Gossip

    Hercules' is a superb song that is remembered by all who hear it, not just down to the soulful vocals but also to one of the simplest, catchiest and memorable bass lines in soul music history.

    Cyril Neville's backing band is none other than the Meters, with his brother Art doing his thing on the organ. As you might expect, the music is pure, raw, New Orleans funk - but set off with a nice twist of electric sitar. 

    The four most famous brothers from New Orleans are Aaron, Art, Charles and Cyril Neville. From the ‘60s to the present day each has been involved in helping create the rich musical legacy of one of the world’s most fascinating cities. Being the founding member and keyboard player of The Meters, Art is probably the best known, although it was Aaron who was the first to have success through music with his #1 hit ‘Tell it Like it Is’ in 1966. His next project was with brother Cyril with a funk band called the Soul Machine, and in 1975 he recorded Hercules before forming The Wild Tchoupitoulas with Charles and Cyril. 

    Problems with the pressing of the Hercules 45 meant they were deemed as faulty so the record never got a proper release; it’s most likely that they were all destroyed, since originals are almost impossible to find. However, record hunters have been known to turn up white label promos, but as they were all pressed on styrene rather than vinyl, they’re notorious for sound deterioration after just a few plays.

    HIGHLY RECOMMENED!!!

    Other Releases on Jazzman

    Gilles TorrentBuleriaJazzman
    Swiss saxophonist Gilles Torrent, perhaps known from our recent Spiritual Jazz collection 'A Tribute to 'Trane', leads the way with his new album 'Buleria';...
      Spiritual Jazz 17: SABA / MPSJazzman
      "High quality music to be enjoyed by many people all around the world, no matter where they are." - Andreas Brunner-Schwer, MPS Records. The German SABA...
      • – Tony Scott and the Indonesian Allstars - Gambang Suling
      • – Elvin Jones Jazz Machine - Little Lady
      • – Nathan Davis - Evolution
      • – Dave Pike Set - Raga Jeeva Swara
      • – Hideo Shiraki Quintet + 3 Koto Girls - Matsuri No Genzo
      • – Albert Mangelsdorff Quartet - Never Let It End
      • – Orchester Roland Kovac - Blue Dance
      • – Fritz Pauer - Gratuliere - Movement A
      • – Joachim Kühn Group - Depression and Illusion
      • – George Gruntz - Hightime Keepsakes
      • – Pedro Iturralde Quintet - Veleta de tu Viento
      • – Jef Gilson Nonet - Ouverture San Remo
      • 1. – Tony Scott and the Indonesian Allstars - Gambang Suling
      • 2. – Elvin Jones Jazz Machine - Little Lady
      • 3. – Nathan Davis - Evolution
      • View full info and tracklisting
      Spiritual Jazz 15: A Tribute to 'TraneJazzman
      Many artists achieve greatness but very few produce work that is so moving it's considered sacred. Whether you choose to call them hymns, psalms or spirituals,...
      • Norman Connors – Welcome
      • Clifford Jordon – John Coltrane
      • Sonny Fortune – Ole
      • The Darwin Strickland Trio – Niami
      • Gilles Torrent Jazztet – Terre Engloutie
      • Carsten Meinert – To Trane
      • Malachi Thompson & Africa Brass – Transition
      • Hampton Hawes Trio – Evening Trane
      • Carmelo Garcia – Trane
      • Brother Jack McDuff – Naima

      People also bought

      Marlena ShawCalifornia SoulJazzman
      All-time classic funk / breaks anthem. Essential sunkissed party smash! Highly Recommended!!!
      • – California Soul
      Inell YoungWhat Do You See In HerSoul Jazz Records
      A stone-cold CLASSIC tune!Simply one the most soulful New Orleans tunes EVER to come out on record from Eddie Bo vocalist Inell Young. Rare as...New...
      • Inell Young – What Do You See In Her
      • Inell Young – I Remember The Summer
      Nina SimoneFunkier Than A Mosquitos TweeterJazzman
      Bullet repressed! Nina Simone delivers 2 essential funky cuts . Available for the first time on 7". Highly recommended.
      • – Funkier Than A Mosquitos Tweeter
        Nora DeanAngie La LaTreasure Isle
        BACK IN STOCK!! Welcome repress of this awesome tune which originally was a b-side!!  Highly recommended, buy before it disappears again. Back to...
        • Nora Dean – Angie La La
        • U.Roy – Tom Drunk
        New Orleans FunkSoul Jazz Records
        Album features Ernie K Doe’s ‘Here Come The Girls’, The Meters, Eddie Bo, Professor Longhair, Lee Dorsey, Wild Magnolias and more. This is the definitive...
        • The Explosions – Hip Drop
        • Lee Dorsey – Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further
        • Gentleman June Gardner – It's Gonna Rain
        • Eddie Bo – Check Your Bucket
        • Professor Longhair – Big Chief
        • Huey "Piano" Smith & His Clowns – Free, Single And Disengaged
        • Chuck Carbo – Can I Be Your Squeeze
        • Aaron Neville – Hercules
        • Mary Jane Hooper – I've Got Reasons
        • The Gaturs – Gator Bait
        • Allen Toussaint – Get Out Of My Life Woman
        • Cyril Neville – Tell Me What's On Your Mind
        • Bo Dollis & The Wild Magnolia Mardi Gras Indian Band – Handa Wanda
        • Lee Dorsey & Betty Harris – Love Lots Of Lovin
        • The Explosions – Garden Of Four Trees
        • Ernie & The Top Notes – Dap Walk
        • The Meters – Just Kissed My Baby
        • Marilyn Barbarin – Reborn
        • Dr. John – Mama Roux
        • Danny White – Natural Soul Brother
        • Eddie Bo – Hook 'N' Sling, Pt. 2
        • Ernie K. Doe – Here Come The Girls
        • Robert Parker – Hip-Huggin
        • The Meters – Handclapping Song
        • 2. The Explosions – Hip Drop
        • 3. Lee Dorsey – Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further
        • 4. Gentleman June Gardner – It's Gonna Rain
        • View full info and tracklisting
        PentangleLight Flight (1969)Transatlantic Records
        Killer folk-funk! Mint unplayed original 45.
        • – Light Flight
        Dawn Penn / Jackie MittooNo No No / Ghetto OrganSoul Jazz Records
        • Dawn Penn – No No No
        • Jackie Mittoo – Ghetto Organ
        Erma FranklinSoul Sister (1969)Brunswick
        Rare groove classic from Aretha's soulful sibling. Includes her seminal version of "Light My Fire"!
          Jane BeeCareless LoverGrand Ancestor
          Wicked new vocal cut from the Jahtari stable featuring vocalist Jane Bee and excellent dub from Naram. Limited run on vinyl..
          • Jane Bee – Careless Lover
          • Naram – Careless Dub
          PinchQawwalliPlanet Mu
          Sparse, atmospheric dub-step 12" on Planet Mu! Check!
          • – Qawwalli V.i.p.
          Studio One FunkSoul Jazz Records
          Soul Jazz Records’ long out of print classic ‘Studio One Funk’ collection re-released in three new one-off limited-edition coloured pressing 18th...
          • Cedric Im Brooks – Shaft
          • Alton Ellis – African Descendents
          • Pablove Black – Poco Tempo
          • Lloyd Williams – Reggae Feet
          • Jackie MIttoo – Hang Em High
          • Cedric Im Brooks – Idleberg
          • Prince Francis – Beat Down Babylon
          • Lee Arab – Now
          • Soul Bros. – 007
          • Prince Moonie – See A Man's Face
          • Im And Sound Dimension – Love Jah
          • Leroy Sibbles – Do Your Thing
          • The Sharks – Music Answer
          • Underground Vegetables – Melting Pot
          • Devon Russell – You Found Heaven
          • Vin Gordon – Steady Beat
          • Alton Ellis – It's A Shame
          • Roy Richards – Another Thing
          • Delroy Wilson – Funky Broadway
          • 2xLP (Coloured Vinyl) + Download Code SJRLP97C£28.00
            In stockAdd to Bag
          • CD (Limited Edition Coloured CD) SJRCD97C£12.00
            In stockAdd to Bag
          • Cassette Tape SJRCT97£12.00
            In stockAdd to Bag
          • MP3 Release£9.99
            In stockAdd to Bag
          Alien Dread, Alvin Davis & Asha BarnesLa Loi Du MilieuIron Sound
          Killer heavyweight new version of Roy Budd's theme tune to "Get Carter" film with horns and dub versions.
          • – La Loi Du Milieu (Horns vs)
          • – La Loi Du Milieu (Dub Version)
          Jackie MittooDisco JackPressure Sounds
          Superb dark keyboard instrumental from the keyboard king repressed on heavy vinyl and a pressure sounds special limited sleeve.
          • – Disco Jack
          • – Version
          Ras Michael & The Sons Of NegusNumbered DaysDUG OUT
          Rare version to one of the best tunes from Ras Michael & The Sons Of Negus with blissed out deep dub on the flip.
          • – Numbered Days
          • – Dub 460 Add Years In The West
          Y-BayaniGet Away b/w Obar No NiPhilophon
          Y-Bayani is Ghana's uprising Fanti-reggae artist. He was discovered by Philophon in Ebo Taylor's hometown Saltpond, where he survived as...
          • – Get Away
          • – Obar No Ni
          Tenor SawRing The Alarm (12")VP Dancehall Classics
          All-time classic dancehall bomb on a fat 12" pressing ! On the mighty Stalag Rhythm, with nardo ranks 'skin out' + the instrumental on the B side
          • – Tenor Saw - Ring The Alarm
          • – Nardo Ranks - Skin Out