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It usually goes something like this: During a conversation, you mention Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band. In return, you get blank stares. Moving onto Plan B, you begin to sing the words to their 1976 hit single, "Cherchez la Femme" ("You know...'Tommy Mattolaaaa...lives on the rooaad...'") Watch their formerly clueless expressions brighten as they squeal, "Oh, that joint!" |
Yes, children, "Cherchez la Femme" was (and still is) the shit. Cory Daye's light, airy, scat-prone voice? Nothing like it, baby. It was the perfect compliment to a joyful, extravangantly lush rhythm that was equal parts big-band swing, Broadway gaudiness and Afro-Carribbean flavor, created by a pair of Haitian brothers from the Bronx, Stony Browder Jr. and August Darnell.
Although I was barely old enough to keep the beat when this song came out, I remember at least trying--thankfully being able recognize good music when I heard it even then. The perfect moment: New Year's Eve '98, at a live Harlem loft party where everyone was totally vibing and taking it back to the old school, doing the hustle to "Cherchez." Pure dopeness. Simply put, how could you not love this song? When it was released nearly a quarter-century ago, there wasn't anything like it on the airwaves or in the clubs. And people dug it because of its sheer disco sunshine. Even today, the track, with its multiple string and horn arrangements, sounds tighter than a black hole in space. The definition of classic.
Dr. Buzzard inevitably bred several copycat singles with "Cherchez," such as Odessey's "Native New Yorker" and (shudder) Tuxedo Junction's "Chattanooga Choo Choo" (damn--I hated just writing that).
Unfortunately, Dr. Buzzard's hits didn't last--actually, they pretty much began and ended with "Cherchez." I believe the group's second release went, like, cardboard, and it never really recovered airplay after that. Shortly thereafter, the brothers had a falling out and went in separate directions. Darnell found success for a while during the 80s as Kid Creole and the Coconuts. But many fans (myself included) wonder whatever happened to lead singer Cory Daye (are you listening, VH1?). Side note: Yes, in the song they ARE speaking of THAT Tommy Mattola, president of CBS Records (aka "the former Mr. Mariah Carey"), who was the group's manager at the time.
Wherever they are now, let's thank them for giving us the chance to get away from the "bling-bling" and "I'm creeping with your honey" assembly line that saturates the airwaves right now. Every one in a while, you'll hear "Cherchez" on 98.7 or 105.1, and I swear it's like an oasis in an early 21st century R&B (read: "Repetition and Bullshit"). It's the kind of refreshment that's well-received.
