Jellyroll -

Jellyroll was an American brass-rock band from Cincinnati that released a 1970 self-titled album on Kapp Records. Built from members of James Brown’s backing unit The Dapps, they fused soul, fuzz rock, and jazzy arrangements in a post-psych crossover style marked by theatrical vocals, swirling organ, and ensemble interplay.

Members: Roger Troy (lead vocals), Eddie Setser (guitar), Tim Hedding (keyboards, backing vocals), Lee Asch (alto, tenor, baritone saxophone), Dave Parkinson (tenor saxophone), Bob Thorne (trumpet), Joe DeAguero (conga), Stu Perry (drums, percussion)

Background

Jellyroll evolved from The Dapps, a mid-’60s Cincinnati soul-funk band that included guitarist Eddie Setser, keyboardist Tim Hedding, and saxophonists Lee Asch and Dave Parkinson. They did a brief stint (1967–68) behind James Brown, whose 1967 single “I Can’t Stand Myself (When You Touch Me)” became a modest chart hit. The Dapps released three 1968 singles on the local King label, the first two featuring Alfred Ellis — aka Pee Wee Ellis, who surfaced in another brass-rock group, Gotham.

Singer and bassist Roger Troy was fresh off a stint in Shades of Joy. He played on their 1970 second album The Music of El Topo, comprised of jazz-psych versions of soundtrack themes from the Alejandro Jodorowsky acid Western. Meanwhile, Setser contributed to Marva Whitney’s classic 1969 album It’s My Thing.

Jellyroll became a septet with drummer Stu Perry and trumpeter Bob Thorne. They signed with Kapp, a longtime pop, country, and easy listening label with a growing array of post-psych acts (Silver Apples, Good Rats, Linda Perhacs).

Jellyroll (the album)

Jellyroll released their only album in July 1970 on Kapp (KS-3626). The record blends organ-heavy rock with soul-inflected vocals and occasional brass textures, arranged in collaboration with producer Richard Podolor (Steppenwolf, Three Dog Night).

The album contains four collaborative tracks co-written by Troy, Podolor, and the band. Troy wrote or co-wrote five others, including the soul-burner “Trying to Forget Someone Too” and the heavy opener “Restless Feeling.” Keyboardist Tim Hedding contributed the instrumental “Quick Trip,” while “Strange” was penned by D. Hoagland. Side B highlights include “Come On, Baby” and “Standing on the Inside,” co-written by guitarist Setser.

Musically, the album leans more on organ and fuzz guitar than horn sections. Though often grouped with horn rock, Jellyroll features the brass as background color rather than central hooks. Fuzz solos and dramatic, husky vocals dominate early cuts like “Search for a Memory,” “Help Me Over,” and “Come On, Baby.” The material becomes more subdued on the second side, with shifts toward R&B balladry and theatrical rock.

A1. “Restless Feeling” (2:22)
A2. “Search for a Memory” (2:57)
A3. “Strange” (2:33)
A4. “Trying to Forget Someone Too” (4:12)
A5. “Quick Trip” (1:17)
A6. “Help Me Over” (3:00)

B1. “Come On, Baby” (3:16)
B2. “Follow Me” (3:50)
B3. “At the Beginning of Tomorrow” (3:06)
B4. “Hard Times” (4:38)
B5. “Standing on the Inside” (3:32)

The album was recorded at American Recording Company in Studio City, CA. It appeared in a Unipak gatefold with illustration by Ignacio Gomez and photography by Bill Gordon. The vertical gatefold cover depicts a psychedelic “candy blossom lady,” a pop-art image that gained underground cult appeal.

Kapp promoted Jellyroll with two singles: “Search for a Memory” (b/w “Come On, Baby”) and “Trying to Forget Someone Too” (b/w “Help Me Over”)/

Legacy

Jellyroll disbanded shortly after their lone album. Despite its lack of chart impact, the LP gained a modest reputation among brass-rock and soul-psych collectors for its high-energy early tracks and fuzz guitar interjections.

Roger Troy cut an album with Uncle Jim’s Music and sang in the revived Electric Flag. Tim Hedding toured with Delaney Bramlett and Gregg Allman, while Stu Perry appeared on albums by Leon Ware, Frankie Miller, and the self-titled 1972 album by Blue Rose.

Discography: