San Francisco-based R&B / Funk / Rock group SASS was formed in 1974 by lead singer Fred Ross and producer, guitarist, vocalist Andy "Andro" Ernst.
During the mid 70s SASS recorded three now rare demo singles released on San Francisco's INS label. The group performed live alongside well-known artists such as Lionel Ritchie & The Commodores, Esther Philips, The Main Ingredient, Brass Construction and Tower Of Power.
In 1976 SASS got signed to 20th Century Records which released remixed versions of their demo songs "I Only Wanted To Love You" and "Do It" on a 45. A full-length album was later recorded in 1977 but none of these songs ever saw the light of day...until now.
The unreleased tracks featured on this present issue were the last songs recorded by the band for their major label album project that was unfortunately abandoned. Transferred directly from the only existing 2 track master tape of the sessions, these never before heard songs can now be listened to in their full glory.
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Never before released, after being shelved at the time of recording, Sass offers up fifteen streetsmart slices of boogified goodness on the vinyl edition. Frozen in time, and slicked in soul, lead vocalist, Fred Ross, and guitarist and vocalist, Andy Ernst, head up a super-tight unit - as on the jumping Life In General, which matches wicky-wack guitar chops to Ross's raucous vocals, and comes out sounding like the JBs getting busy with Grand Funk Railroad.
Miss Lazy eases back some, the intro washes dropping into a quiet storm jam - a late night blues and lovelorn proclamations given the full-on harmonic treatment: sweet and deadly. The guitars get growly on I'm In Love, the rockier elements of the crew given a tasty outing: the 'love' of the title stretched out and riffed on by the band: this is love given a bagful of psychedelics and let loose on the town. Heavy on the overdriven solos: Santana-esque in the sweetly-held notes and vibe.
Contrafuntal Punk blasts off with a bad-ass break, that is no doubt being chopped to bits already by producer types: it certainly should be - kicks like a mule! Written by pianist, Charles Haber, it's a full-on jazz-rock rumble: the drums of Lemuel Barrow holding down the fleet-fingered runs. Dancefloors scorched. Mission accomplished.
Happy & Love is another deep dive: Ross's yearning vocal running down those old changes - 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you' - he sings and the band are right there, backing him up with soul to spare.
It's another certifiable winner then, from the streets of San Francisco via the High Jazz crew. An archival triumph: the sound of young musicians feeling their way through sound, lost to the world for half a lifetime until now: we all believe in miracles, right?