SWAMP DOGG Vinyl Records and CDs

Woefully under-appreciated but in any case one of the more original figures in Soul music, Swamp Dogg has been serving up his unmistakable brand of satirical R&B since the late '60s. His lyrics -- blunt, witty, and shockingly candid -- challenge the most accepted conventions of just about any genre, as they address love, racial issues, and poverty in ways both funny and provocative. It's understandable if the words tend to overshadow his musical abilities, yet still unfortunate; he writes memorable tunes with punchy horn arrangements and solid, danceable beats. Though perhaps not a singer's singer, his lump-in-the-throat vocals add a wounded poignancy that nicely offset his frequent sarcasm. In the end, though, you probably have to appreciate song titles like "I've Never Been to Africa (And it's Your Fault)" or "God Ain't Blessing America" to really get the most out of the man's music.