Norma and the Heartaches

Hot Pants (Gonna Get You In Trouble) is the finest in Philly funk. It's both good-time party crossover soul and cautionary tale. Music seldom gets more infectious and fun than this.

I think Hot Pants was 1971. You can get the reissue (an exact 45 repro) easily. Here's the b-side, Hot Pants Dance, from my scratchy original (you'll want your own copy, not least for the amazing vocal version).



Now you can get another Norma and the Heartaches 7", Nice and Slow:



Almost inevitably, the label describes it as 'more obscure and superior'. I'll disagree about the superior bit, but it's some record nonetheless.

I really urge you to go to Funkadelphia, my favourite boutique soul reissue label the past decade, and buy The Philly Sound You Never Heard - Philly Soul Girls Volume Two, which features Hot Pants, and pick up some other albums while you're there.