Episode 178: J.R. Branch & Mickey Walker of the Backyard Heavies

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Episode 178: J.R. Branch & Mickey Walker of the Backyard Heavies

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The Backyard Heavies were a short-lived, Charlotte-based R&B/funk band. An offshoot of the band The Tempests, producer Allen Touissaint encouraged the band to record some instrumental 45’s after they were brought to his attention by Marshall Sehorn.

One of their singles, 1971’s “Expo 83,” became a deep funk classic that was featured on countless DJ compilations, and would later be sampled by artists including Kanye West, Pete Rock, DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist, while other songs like “Chitlin’ Strut” would go on to be sampled by artists including Eminem, Kendrick Lamar featuring RZA, and Chance the Rapper.