Earnest Jackson

Earnest (or Ernest on Bofuz) Jackson cut all his discs around the Baton Rouge, LA area so it’s a fair bet that that’s where he came from. Both his rare first two 45s for Bonnie Fussell’s Bofuz concern contain super deep sides. “Our Love Will Always Be The Same” is a dead slow ballad featuring some fine declamatory singing from Jackson. Love his “woith” for “worth” Louisiana intonation! The backing – especially the slightly erratic drummer - is endearingly “small label” but none the worse for that. “A True Love Is Hard To Find” is similar in both pace and fell and most likely was cut at the same session.

Although funk fans go for some of the sides he cut for John Fred's Stone the only one that I care for is “Why Can’t I Love Somebody”. This melodic and well arranged track has much higher production values than his previous efforts, and Jackson himself sounds more relaxed and mature in his delivery. Jackson’s final 45 for Royal Shield gets dance fans going but leaves me cold sadly.

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