Dennis Coffey | Dennis Coffey
Dennis Coffey | Dennis Coffey
(Strut)
by A. Scott Galloway
Guitarist Dennis Coffey was the ace on the case when Norman Whitfield slipped some psychedelic into Motown’s soul bag on game-changing sides by The Temptations starting with “Cloud Nine” on up through “I Can’t Get Next to You,” “Ball of Confusion” and just about all of, naturally, the Psychedelic Shack Lp. He made a giant platform-shoed step from the shadows of Motown with the instrumental smash “Scorpio,” credited to Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band, eternally linked to the mid-way portion of `70s “Soul Train” episodes and featuring a ferocious bass breakdown by Bob Babbitt. Dennis then recorded eight wah-wah-fied soul-rock albums as well as the score to Kung Fu fightin’ Jim Kelly’s first starring vehicle “Black Belt Jones.” Now following a pair of sleepy smooth jazz affairs in the `80s, Mr. Coffey returns with his first disc in 22 years doing a funky flashback sure to be met with approving head nods from crate diggers with his self-titled Dennis Coffey (available as a CD and double-vinyl Lp). Retro on every level, even the cover is a throwback to his 1973 Sussex Lp, Electric Coffey. To continue, please click “MORE”!