Hey Little School Girl / Abracadabra by Artie Lewis: A Funky Time Capsule from 1960
Man, this album—well, technically it’s a single with two tracks—but wow, does it pack a punch. Released back in 1960 on ATCO Records, "Hey Little School Girl" and "Abracadabra" feel like stepping into some smoky basement club where everyone’s dancing their socks off. It’s funky, soulful, and kinda raw in all the right ways. You can tell Richard Wess had his hands deep in this one—he arranged and conducted both tracks, giving them that polished-yet-edgy vibe that screams early '60s cool.
Let’s talk about “Hey Little School Girl” first because, honestly, how could you not? The groove hits immediately, like someone just flipped a switch inside your brain. That bassline is so thick you could spread it on toast. And Artie Lewis’ voice? Dude sounds smooth as butter but also has this playful edge, like he’s winking at you while singing. There’s something cheeky yet charming about the whole thing—it makes me think of high school dances where nobody knew what they were doing but didn’t care anyway. Every time I hear it, I picture kids awkwardly swaying or trying (and failing) to do the twist. Love it.
Then there’s “Abracadabra.” This one sneaks up on you. At first, it feels like your typical uptempo jam, but then the horns kick in, and suddenly you’re transported to another dimension. Like… magic, right? Fitting for a song called “Abracadabra.” It’s got this infectious energy that builds and builds until you’re practically levitating out of your chair. The arrangement is tight, almost military-like in its precision, but still loose enough to let the funk breathe. Honestly, it’s impossible not to tap your foot to this one. By the end, you’re left sweaty, breathless, and maybe even a little dizzy—but in the best way possible.
What gets me most about these tracks is how alive they feel. Sure, they’re over 60 years old now, but they don’t sound dated at all. They’ve got this timeless quality, like they could’ve been recorded yesterday—or tomorrow. Maybe that’s why they stuck in my head long after the needle lifted off the record.
You know what’s wild though? Listening to this makes me wonder if Artie Lewis ever thought people would still be talking about these songs decades later. Did he have any clue they’d end up being more than just filler for a label release? Or was he just having fun making music that made folks move? Either way, here we are—a bunch of strangers vibing to his tunes in 2023. Kinda beautiful when you think about it.
So yeah, go listen to this slice of funk/soul heaven. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself humming “Hey Little School Girl” for days straight. Trust me, it happens.
