Ripple -

Ripple was an American funk band that made a 1973 self-titled album on GRC, followed by the 1977 Salsoul release Sons of the Gods.

Members: Brian Sherrer, Curtis Reynolds, Dave Ferguson, Keith Samuels, Simon Kenneth Carter, Walter Carter, William Hull

Background

Ripple formed in Kalamazoo, Mich., in the early 1970s with a seven-man lineup drawn from Michigan. The band included bassist Simon Kenneth “Ken” Carter, drummer Brian Sherrer, conguero Walter “Wally” Carter, guitarist/vocalist Keith “Doc” Samuels, trumpeter Dave Ferguson, saxophonist/flutist William “Bill” Hull, and keyboardist/vibraphonist Curtis Reynolds.

The musicians named the group after Ripple, their favorite alcoholic drink. Samuels played 1968 engagements at Union Plaza and Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Producer Floyd Smith brought Samuels to Kalamazoo and placed him in Ripple.

GRC announced Ripple among nine new signings in June 1973 and identified the seven musicians as Michigan natives. Ripple cut “I Don’t Know What It Is, But It Sure Is Funky” at the new Sound Pit studio in Atlanta. GRC issued the song with “Dance Lady Dance” on an August 1973 single. The single crossed from R&B to the pop chart by November, when Ripple operated from Chicago. GRC scheduled the band for an Apollo Theater opening slot with the O’Jays, a Baltimore Civic Center bill with Gladys Knight and the Pips, and a Winston-Salem concert with the Isley Brothers.

Dee Ervin produced “Willie, Pass the Water” at Sound Pit as the follow-up single. Ripple recorded the self-titled GRC debut at Sound Pit in Atlanta.

Discography: