The Gypsies: Jerk It (Old Town 1180)

Sometimes when you're hunting for 45s at flea markets, you take your chances. That was the case when I nabbed this one. The copy I found is badly scratched and plays really rough and noisy (which is isn't helped by the fact that it's a styrene pressing to begin with). But that doesn't make it any less worth hearing, thank goodness. In fact, this piece of 1965 girl group pop is a raucous soul shaker that happens to be arranged by J.J. Jackson, of "But It's Alright" fame. Also, The Gypsies would change their name to The Flirtations and climb to #34 in 1969 with "Nothing But A Heartache." The production here is big and bold and the girls almost sound angelic as they sing "Jerk it! Jerk it, jerk it, baby!" while the lead singer shouts at the top of her lungs. What can I say? I'm hooked. And I'm now on a quest to find a better copy. Said it before, I'll say it again: a record collector's work is never done.