1974
Betty Wright's Danger! High Voltage:
Miami Soul, Funk, and the Dawn of Disco
This post is about the vibrant legacy of Betty Wright's 1974 album Danger! High Voltage. Capturing the essence of Miami soul, it blends funk and early disco elements, featuring standout tracks like ‘Shoorah! Shoorah!’ and the Grammy-winning ‘Where Is the Love.’ With production from legends like Allen Toussaint, this album is a celebration of rhythm and energy, marking a pivotal moment in music history.
Not feeling like reading? No worries! 😎 Here is ‘Come On Up’ for you to enjoy its infectious groove. 🔊
Some voices leave their mark on music history because they are so distinctive and easily identifiable. Betty Wright is one of those voices. Her voice has her trademark as well: the stratospheric “whistle register.” (This “whistle register” I learned, is a technique allowing a singer to reach ultra-high notes, so high they seem almost supernatural!) And Betty Wright is one of the early pioneers of this extraordinary technique.
​​
The 1974 album, titled Danger! High Voltage, is a clear demonstration of Betty Wright’s remarkable talent and reflects the characteristics of the golden era of Miami soul. It’s got funk and a boundless energy! 💥
​​
By the time this album comes out, Betty Wright is already a well-known name, thanks to her 1971 hit ‘Clean Up Woman’—crafted by Clarence Reid and Willie Clarke. The same TK Records family of producers and musicians then comes together for Danger! High Voltage, elevating Wright’s sound with an even tighter mix of funk, soul, and early proto-disco elements. One can hear it in the smooth arrangements, the rapid horn passages, and the deep grooves that drive the album. Wright’s voice, as always, is electrifying. The album captures a transitional moment in music—where funk is still dominant, but the pulse of disco is beginning to emerge.
​​​
One of the key figures behind the album’s magic is none other than Allen Toussaint. The legendary New Orleans producer, songwriter, and pianist has an undeniable impact on the sound of the '70s, working with everyone from The Meters to Labelle. His touch is unmistakable on ‘Shoorah! Shoorah!’, a track he originally wrote and produced, bringing his signature blend of syncopated rhythms and relaxed funk. Similar to his work with Labelle the same year, Toussaint adds a deep, rhythmic complexity to Wright's album, giving it even more nuance and personality.
​​​​​
‘Shoorah! Shoorah!’ is infectious, uplifting, and impossible to resist; it’s a song that makes you want to move, no matter where you are. 💃
And as a side note, I was watching The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005) last summer, as it is the favorite film of one of my friends, and ‘Shoorah! Shoorah!’ was in the soundtrack, bringing a burst of retro energy to the film’s cosmic adventure— There’s nothing like stumbling upon a favorite song in an unexpected place!!! 🌌
​​
But as we’re talking pure funk, ‘Come On Up’ is the track that seals the deal for me in this great album. It’s the rawest, most high-energy groove. Wright, of course, delivers it with pure attitude.
​​
Gülben - 01/2025
​​​​
📌 Official site
​
🎶 Genre: Funk
For other Funk content on site: CLASSIC GROOVE FUNK
For all archive: FUNK ARCHIVE
