In 1969, Bernie Binnick, the co-founder of Philadelphia-based Swan Records, put together a studio band that included such notables as Daryl Hall (Hall and Oates) and Vince Montana, who became a prominent figure in disco music in the following decade.
Binnick gave this aggregation the moniker of The Electric Indian. The group, produced by singer Len Barry (1-2-3 sold a million in 1965), had one big hit, Keem-O-Sabe (No. 20, Billboard Hot 100). There was an album titled after that tune that contained it and nine other selections. Obviously the combination of the tune's title and the group's name wouldn't pass muster today, conveying as it does an unfortunate racial stereotype of Native Americans.
Strangely the album didn't include the flip side of the 45, a fine piece of funk called Broad Street, which is a major Philadelphia thoroughfare. You can access it from the link below. Note: Although the label says Broad Street runs 1:59, it clearly is at least 20 seconds longer than that.
Broad Street
After The Electric Indian's shortlived recording career -- just the album and a couple of singles -- many of the members (including Vince Montana and guitarist Bobby Eli) went on to join MFSB, the studio band for soul producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Montana later formed the Salsoul Orchestra disco band.
Of The Electric Indian's recordings, only Keem-O-Sabe appears to be available in a digital format.
From YouTube, here's a track from the Keem-O-Sabe LP.
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