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<\/p>\nIn California of the 1960s, a style of music known as Chicano soul (sometimes referred to as brown-eyed soul \u2013 took hold among listeners. Groups like Cannibal & the Headhunters (\u201cLand of a Thousand Dances\u201d) and Thee Midniters (\u201cWhittier Boulevard\u201d) thrilled audiences and achieved some measure of national success. But as prevailing styles came and went, Chicano soul seemed to disappear into history. Yet for lovers of the style like San Jose resident J.M. Valle, Chicano soul never went away. And thanks in great part to his efforts, the genre is enjoying a spirited resurgence, with current-day acts like Thee Baby Cuffs.<\/p>\n
Valle doesn\u2019t shy away for taking a bit of credit where it\u2019s due. \u201cI\u2019m basically one of the pioneers of the current explosion of the soul scene,\u201d he says. \u201cThe thing that\u2019s going on right now is probably as big as it\u2019s ever been.\u201d A decade ago, Valle co-hosted Block 2 Block Radio<\/i> with David Madrid on 91.5 FM KKUP-FM. \u201cWe played music and interviewed artists,\u201d he says. That helped keep the music alive, bringing it to a new generation of listeners.<\/p>\n
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Today, the popularity of classic American soul has extended as far as Finland, home to Timmion Records, a label focusing on soul and funk. But Valle had noticed that curated record labels like Daptone and Numero Group were starting to focus on the Chicano market. \u201cMy thought was, \u2018As Chicanos, why don\u2019t we not just be marketed to as the customers? We can be the artists and even the label owners!\u2019\u201d Connecting with that passion and building upon the genre\u2019s renewed popularity, Valle launched a record label of his own, Raza del Soul, in 2014.<\/p>\n
Valle describes his original vision for the label. \u201cI thought, \u2018If I’m able to connect [labels like] Timmion with the low-rider community, record collectors and the people who go to the Super Love Jams,\u2019\u201d he says, \u201c\u2019then sure enough, something’s bound to happen!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Starting as an online record shop selling new pressings of classic soul 45s, Raza del Soul has grown quickly in popularity. And all the while, Valle has been encouraging the modern-day revival of Chicano soul, especially in San Jose. \u201cI just kept on pushing it, pushing it, pushing it,\u201d he says. \u201cEventually it exploded on its own, with little to no influence from me.\u201d<\/p>\n
In its early days, Raza del Soul concentrated on collaborative projects. \u201cI would buy records wholesale, and then do exclusive limited runs of somebody else\u2019s record, but with a special sleeve with artwork on it,\u201d Valle says. \u201cThat\u2019s how I got started. But then I got these guys together as Thee Baby Cuffs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Everything about Thee Baby Cuffs\u2019 sound suggests the music was waxed sometime between 1965 and \u201872. Joe Narvaez is the harmony vocal trio\u2019s lead singer. \u201cI grew up with that kind of music,\u201d he says. \u201cBecause I\u2019m an older dude, I was there. And I guess that\u2019s where the authenticity comes from.\u201d Gilberto Rodriguez is the trio\u2019s second lead, handling Spanish-language vocals. Reality Jonez sings the falsetto parts.<\/p>\n
Valle\u2019s guiding hand as songwriter and producer helps with that authenticity, too. \u201cWe do it old school,\u201d he says. \u201cWe record on tape, and we release the music on records. There\u2019s no Autotune or anything like that.\u201d And he gives plenty of credit to the singers and musicians as well. \u201cThe stories are real,\u201d Valle says. \u201cThey\u2019re singing straight from the heart. And I think that\u2019s what people are in need of right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Backed by San Francisco-based instrumental soul group The M-Tet, Thee Baby Cuffs\u2019 debut, \u201cWhere Did Our Pride Go?\u201d was pressed in a run of 500 singles. The record sold out within four months. \u201cThey go for about $60 online now,\u201d Valle says with a laugh. The group\u2019s follow-up singles (\u201cMy My My Baby\u201d and \u201cYou\u2019re My Reason\u201d) feature Thee Baby Cuffs backed by Finnish soul powerhouse instrumental outfit Cold Diamond & Mink.<\/p>\n
J.M. Valle\u2019s plan to keep bringing Chicano soul to today\u2019s listeners involves a slow and steady approach; to date Raza del Soul has released five titles. But a sixth, Thee Baby Cuffs\u2019 psychedelic soul-flavored \u201cHow Could I Right All My Wrongs\u201d is due \u2013 on a vinyl 45, of course \u2013 by Christmas. \u201cWe\u2019ve got some good stuff coming out,\u201d says Valle.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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