Noble Watts - Blast Off

Review by Shelby Kiaraa

Blast Off by Noble Watts: A Funky Time Capsule from 1979 That Still Slaps Alright, buckle up, because Blast Off by Noble Watts is one of those albums that grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. Released in ‘79 on Flyright Records outta the UK, this sucker dives deep into the funky underbelly of Rhythm & Blues with enough soul to make your grandma bust a move at a wedding. And yeah, it’s got some quirks—like who names tracks “The Frog Hop” or “Mashed Potatoes”? But trust me, it works. Let’s talk about two tracks that’ll stick in your brain like gum on a hot sidewalk: “Shakin’” and “Hot Tamales.” First up, "Shakin’." This joint hits hard right outta the gate. It's raw, dirty funk with drums so tight they sound like they’re choking the beat into submission. You can practically hear Noble sweating over his keys while laying down those riffs. What makes this track unforgettable? The groove is relentless—it just keeps climbing, like someone dared it to try harder every second. By the time the horns kick in (if there are any—I might be trippin'), you're already losing your mind. It’s impossible not to nod along—or maybe even embarrass yourself on the dance floor. Then there’s “Hot Tamales,” which feels like sneaking into a secret party where everyone knows the password except you. The bassline slinks around like a cat eyeing its prey, smooth but ready to pounce. There’s a swagger here—a cocky strut—that makes you wanna grab life by the horns and yell, “Yeah, I’m alive!” The rhythm switches halfway through, throwing you off balance before pulling you back in for more punishment. Honestly, if this song came out today, TikTok would lose its collective mind. Now, credit where it’s due—the mastering job by Ron Geesin deserves props. He cleaned this thing up real nice without sanding off its rough edges. And hey, shoutout to W. & M. Etherington for the graphics; whoever thought a rocket blasting off could look cooler probably never tried. Liner notes by Bruce Bastin add some backstory too, though let’s be honest—you’re here for the tunes, not bedtime stories. But what sticks with me most isn’t just how good these songs are—it’s how weirdly joyous they feel. Listening to Blast Off, you get the sense that Noble Watts wasn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. He just wanted people to cut loose, laugh, and sweat a little. In 2023, when everything feels heavy as hell, that’s refreshing as hell. Oh, and here’s the kicker: after spinning this album, I couldn’t help but wonder…why don’t we have music like this anymore? Or maybe we do, and I’m just too busy doomscrolling to notice. Either way, Blast Off reminds us that sometimes, the best way to escape gravity is to shake it off entirely. Now go listen to it—and don’t blame me if your neighbors start complaining.

Artist: Noble Watts
Album: Blast Off

Funk / Soul

Rhythm & Blues

1979

Rating: 4.75

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Download

Filename: noble-watts-blast-off.zip

MP3 size: 67.2 mb
FLAC size: 599.2 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Great Times
Walking The Floor Over You
Shakin'
Easy Going Pt.1
The Slide
Original Boogie Woogie
The Creep
The Frog Hop
Flap Jack
Hot Tamales
Blast Off
The Beaver
Mashed Potatoes
Easy Going Pt.2

Video

NOBLE WATTS - THE CREEP

NOBLE THIN MAN WATTS - EASY GOING pt. 1

Nobel Thin Man Watts & His Rhythm Sparks - Blast Off

NOBLE THIN MAN WATTS - FLAP JACK

Images

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télécharger l'album Noble Watts - Blast Off

Catalog Numbers

FLY LP 547

Labels

Flyright Records

Listen online

online anhören
lytte på nettet
kuunnella verkossa
lyssna på nätet
écouter en ligne
ouvir online
escuchar en línea
online luisteren
ascolta in linea

Formats

Vinyl
LP
Mono

Companies

Role	Company
Printed By	Senol Printing Ltd.
Copyright (c)	Flyright Records

Credits

Role	Credit
Graphics	W. & M. Etherington
Liner Notes	Bruce Bastin
Mastered By	Ron Geesin

Notes

From the front cover:
"1950's New York Rhythm'n Blues Instrumentals"

Barcodes

Rights Society: M.C.P.S.

About Noble Watts

American blues and rhythm and blues saxophonist. Born February 17 1926, died August 28 2004.

Name Vars

N. Watts
Nobel \
Watts
Nobel Watts
Noble \
Watts & His Rhythm Sparks
Noble 'Thin Man' Watts
Noble (Thin Man) Watts
Noble Thin Man Watts
Noble Watts And His Band
Noble Thin Man Watts
Thin Man Watts

en.wikipedia.org

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s something cool: The album *Blast Off* by Noble Watts, released in 1979, is a hidden gem in the Funk/Soul scene. It’s got this raw, groovy vibe that feels like a mix of rhythm and blues with a dash of boogie. What makes it even more unique? The mastering was done by Ron Geesin, who also worked with Pink Floyd. Yeah, *that* Pink Floyd. So, while it’s not as famous as some other records from the era, *Blast Off* packs serious talent behind the scenes. Tracks like "The Slide" and "Hot Tamales" are pure dance floor gold.