Southside Movement

The Southside Movement was a Chicago-based funk and soul octet which recorded in the early '70s. Made up of vocalist Melvin Moore, guitarist Bobby Pointer, keyboardist Morris Beeks, bassist Ronald Simmons, drummer Willie Hayes, alto saxophonist Milton Johnson, trumpeter Steve Hawkins, and trombonist Bill McFarland, the group got its start as the backing band for the Sam & Dave-styled soul duo Simtec & Wylie. They later signed with the Wand label and issued their self-titled debut album in 1973; it produced a Top 20 R&B hit in the breakbeat classic "I've Been Watching You," which was sampled heavily by a future generation of hip-hoppers (including the Beastie Boys on "So What'cha Want"). The follow-up single "Can You Get to That" also charted, and the band subsequently moved to the 20th Century label. Sophomore album Movin' appeared in 1974, but despite another much-sampled item in "Save the World," it didn't match the group's earlier success. 1975's "Bus Stop" was a minor hit, and the high-quality accompanying album, Moving South, spawned a second single in "Do It to Me." However, the Southside Movement broke up later that year. Collectables' CD-era compilation The Very Best of Southside Movement: I've Been Watching You concentrates mostly on their first album. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide