Biography
Formed in Chicago as an eight-piece funk and soul unit, Southside Movement cut its recordings during the opening years of the 1970s. The lineup featured vocalist Melvin Moore, guitarist Bobby Pointer, keyboardist Morris Beeks, bassist Ronald Simmons, drummer Willie Hayes, alto saxophonist Milton Johnson, trumpeter Stephen Hawkins, and trombonist Bill McFarland; the musicians first assembled behind the Sam & Dave-styled soul duo Simtec & Wylie. After inking a deal with the Wand label, they released their self-titled debut album in 1973, which yielded the breakbeat classic “I’ve Been Watching You” as a Top 20 R&B hit later sampled extensively by hip-hop artists including the Beastie Boys on “So What’cha Want.” Follow-up single “Can You Get to That” also appeared on the charts, prompting a subsequent shift to the 20th Century imprint. The 1974 sophomore set Movin’ included the much-sampled track “Save the World,” yet failed to replicate prior commercial traction. Minor hit “Bus Stop” surfaced in 1975, and its accompanying album Moving South delivered the additional single “Do It to Me,” though Southside Movement disbanded before the year ended. Collectables’ later compilation The Very Best of Southside Movement: I’ve Been Watching You draws primarily from the band’s opening LP.