Charles Wright was born in Mississippi in 1940, but grew up in Los Angeles and from the age of twelve began playing piano, guitar, bass, as well as singing. This lead to him writing and performing with Doo-Wop groups The Twilighters, The Shields and The Galahads, scoring minor chart hits.
In 1966, the group who would become known as Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, were recruited to back legendary comedian Bill Cosby on his first album which lead to a deal for the group with Warner Bros. They would become the label's first successful R&B act.
Their first album was self titled but has become known by its subtitle of 'Hot Heat & Sweet Groove'. Five more albums followed for Warner, and the group scored US hits throughout the 60s and 70s with songs like 'Express Yourself', 'Do Your Thing' and 'Loveland' that showcased their highly influential funk grooves and Wright's distinctive, gospel-preacher vocal style.
The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band would find a new audience in the 1980s with the arrival of hip hop as everyone from A Tribe Called Quest, Gang Starr, Naughty By Nature and P Diddy sampled their work. Although perhaps most famously on N.W.A's classic 'Express Yourself', named after and including the sampled refrain of the groups' most popular hit.
All six of their albums for the label have been remastered with bonus tracks and extensive sleeve notes.
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