During my research on all things Mingering Mike, I found my way to this CD compilation–Washington Lost Soul–Carl ‘Maxx’ Kidd Singles Collection Vol. 1. The compilation, released in April 2007, is an amazing document of what the District sounded like circa ‘69-75. Sure, our city will be forever known for its inventing go-go, hardcore, and all those Revolution Summer(s). But the truth is D.C. had a huge soul scene–one that feels a bit ignored.

This compilation, produced and compiled by Iley Brown, II for his Stride Records, present a strong case that D.C. produced some killer Soul–majestic harmonies, deep singing, inventive beats, and really crazy-ass melodies (see The Fawns‘ “I Like What Your Doing”). You can buy the comp here.

The comp includes one song that may be more than just a forgotten track–its a possible milestone in music history. The Acoustics‘ “Plane Down Over Mobile,” recorded in 1969, may just be the first modern-era song to include beat-boxing. I think Mingering Mike has the Acoustics beat by a year. But then again Mike didn’t release his stuff.

That’s a debate for another day. You can listen to the Acoustics’ “Plane Down Over Mobile.”

In the last few days, I conducted an e-mail interview with Brown.

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“I want some meat!
I want some meat!

Can do without but I ‘
Can’t live without, some meat

Can’t stand the beef—over meat
Been eatin’ it raw and over heat

For many ah moooons, and all of a sudden
Yah..want me to stop, sooo soon
Can’t doooo oo

I want some meat!
Uh! Girrrrl Iow!

I want some meat!

You’ve got the buns
You’ve got the potatoes

But if I can’t have the chicken
The steak, the ham or the beef

Then gone, gone I’am….IOW!�

–“I Want Some Meatâ€� written by Mingering Mike on April 30, 1993, according to his records, at 11:08 to 11:28 a.m. and 2 to 3:15 p.m.

“Because when I look at you
All I see
Is one of God’s most treasured gift
The human
Oo and how I wish that I were
The one, to be the recipient of all
Your hugs, squeezes and kiss…Es

‘So what’s so special about you’
‘Everything,’ ‘Everything’
And darling that’s, ‘That’s the truth’”

–From “What’s So Special About You” written by Mingering Mike, according to his records, in 1997 at 8 a.m.

This week I wrote about Mingering Mike. Mike is a talented singer, songwriter, and artist. For nearly 40 years, he chose to write in secret. Between 1968 and 1977, he recorded songs and drew his own album covers inspired by those secret recording sessions. He actively avoided fame. In fact, he insists on using a fake name in public.

During Mike’s heyday, D.C.’s soul scene was huge. There were dozens of bands and clubs; it was way bigger than go-go and punk would become. I don’t know if Mingering Mike would have “made it” through traditional means–playing clubs, networking, sending demo tapes to New York, etc. But I wanted to find out what it was like for singers and musicians who didn’t record in their bathroom.

Chuck Brown was an obvious first call. Maybe too obvious. He’s been interviewed probably hundreds of times. But that didn’t stop him from telling me a great story.

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“Always thinkin
Most times the mind
Hardly ever rest

To get the heavy burdens
off ones chest…And

‘I’m tired’
Tired of workin, tired of survivin
‘I’m tired’

‘I’m tired’ of screamin ‘n’ shoutin
This time I’m walkin out

Too many bumps in the road
Never had a smooth ride
And it frustrates me to see
That I’m the only one noticing
If things don’t soon change….”

–”I’m Tired” written by Mingering Mike on August 29, 1993, according to his records, between 11:27 and 12:05 p.m.

I first met Mingering Mike at a Denny’s in June. He brought along his cousin Joseph War. He didn’t say all that much. He kept his guard up. He ate slowly, listened to my questions, and only hinted that he may open up. I revisited the Mingering story a few months later.

I sort of put him off because I thought he’d be difficult. I was only partly right. It took me three weeks of begging and generally debasing myself before he allowed me inside his apartment.  Lyrics, his lyrics, the ones he wrote at 12:05 p.m., and 4:03 a.m., etc., were buried under vinyl, VHS, and CDs. He had been writing songs for nearly 40 years and doing his own album artwork for albums that never saw proper release.

Mingering turned out to be a really sweet guy. What makes a man write songs in secret for 40 years? Who is Mingering Mike? I tried to find out. You can check the story here. The story includes three songs, one of which Mike hasn’t released, and one we did together with former arts editor Glenn Dixon.

I will be updating the blog regularly in the next few days with unreleased Mingering lyrics, soul history tidbits, an interview with Chuck Brown and other soul legends. Stay Tuned.