Forgotten Treasures: The Ikettes “Peaches & Cream” (1965)

Guest post by Montreal DJ, Ruby Jane following her guest spot on WEFUNK Radio.

After getting a good haul of Soul/R&B 45s to add to my collection in preparation for Ottawa’s Double Barrel, a monthly 45 jam featuring DJ Magnificent and guests, I just had to put a set of these gems together for my next appearance on WEFUNK Radio. The tune that hits me hardest of the bunch is The Ikettes‘ “Peaches & Cream”, a boisterous romp of a 60s R&B tune about the joys and perils of young love.

Ike Turner didn’t pay the Ikettes much, which explains why their lineup changed so often, and this 1965 hit was recorded when the group comprised of Robbie Montgomery, Venetta Fields and Jessie Smith. This particular 45 has the Barry label, a Canadian company that distributed the track on behalf of Modern Records. This record isn’t rare, but it’s not like anything I’ve heard before. Actually, that’s not entirely true. The simple, jaunty piano reminds me of the Sesame Street theme, and the verses are delivered in the monotone style of Shirley Ellis‘ “The Clapping Song” and the Dixie Cups‘ “Iko Iko’. It could be called schoolyard soul, with girls in pigtails chanting it as they play Double Dutch. The harmonica playfully echoes the line peaches and cream, and the throaty ah, ah, ah at the top of the chorus is delivered with a raucous enthusiasm that shouts at you to get on the dance floor. This is one of those girl-group anthems that’s fun and rowdy and fills you with sweet, sweet joy.

Hear Ruby Jane’s full set of feel-good soul and ’60s R&B gems in WEFUNK Radio show 779