Press Release :
It's safe to say funky water must have been running through the city pipes of Plainfield, NJ back in the day. How else to explain the plethora of musical talent that grimed its way out of the ghetto, sticking itself all over the world, and in the case of one Mothership-birthed funkadelic revolution, all over the stratosphere. But, as with all shooting stars before they explode, these eventual Rock n' Roll Hall-of-Famers were once just local yokels competing for some love. And their main competitors from get go was one man who knew how to sing a note, craft a tune and steer a studio: Sammy Campbell a.k.a Tyrone Ashley.

A quick rundown: Sammy Campbell was the front man of local legendary doo wop group the Del Larks, which he started with his brother in 1954. It was a group known for its rich harmonies and flashy stage presence (and also for the deep bass of future Parliament great, Ray Davis). Sammy and the Del Larks became George Clinton's main (friendly) adversaries when the Parliaments moved to town from nearby Newark and ran their infamous barbershop. In the mid sixties to early seventies Sammy began performing under the name Tyrone Ashley and the Funky Music Machine. More stretched out by the soul and funk tip, the Funky Music Machine were both raw and slick, fat and fresh with a feeling that simply moved you to tears or the dance floor, or both.

Truth and Soul has dug up and polished a slice of history that is finally available for your listening pleasure. Culled from master tapes and that survived a house fire in the late seventies and then shelved in Mr. Campbell's home studio for close to thirty-five years, these twelve songs is a look at the raw soul and genius of a man who never stopped making music from the heart. Truth & Soul is proud to present a definitive collection of music from the one and only Sammy Campbell. Enjoy......