Clyde Alexander: The Soulful Voice of 1970s Funk

Clyde Alexander was an American funk and soul singer-songwriter who led the band Clyde Alexander & Sanction during the 1970s. Hailing from Houston, Texas, his group carved out a dedicated following with a string of raw, dance-floor ready singles that have since become prized artifacts for funk collectors worldwide.

Early career

Clyde Alexander formed his band, Sanction, in Houston in the early 1970s, building a powerful local reputation through energetic live performances. The group's first recorded work emerged in 1974 with the single "Got To Get Your Love" b/w "The Docket" on the independent Ovide label, showcasing their gritty, horn-driven sound.

Breakthrough

The band's breakthrough came with their 1975 single "Check Me Out," released on the Shrine label. This driving funk track, with its infectious bassline and Alexander's commanding vocals, became a staple on local radio and in clubs, solidifying their status as a premier act in the Texas funk scene. While national chart success proved elusive, the single's enduring popularity led to its rediscovery by rare groove DJs decades later.

Key tracks

Check Me Out — This 1975 single is the band's signature track, defining their hard-hitting funk sound and remaining a collector's favorite.

Got To Get Your Love — Their debut 1974 single established their musical blueprint of powerful horns and relentless rhythm.

The Docket — The funk instrumental on the B-side of their first single highlighted the tight, impressive musicianship of the Sanction band.

Do It With Soul — This later recording further cemented Alexander's commitment to authentic, unadulterated soul music.

Alexander and Sanction continued recording through the late 1970s, releasing singles like "You Better Think" and building a legacy rooted in authentic Southern funk. Their work, though not widely distributed nationally at the time, has been meticulously reissued by dedicated funk labels, introducing their music to new generations of fans and cementing their cult status.

For fans of deep 1970s funk, Clyde Alexander's music shares the gritty, regional spirit of The Gap Band in their early Tulsa period. The raw, horn-powered drive also connects to the work of The Bar-Kays, another band known for electrifying live shows. Listeners who appreciate the Southern soul storytelling of Johnnie Taylor will find a similar directness in Alexander's vocal delivery.

The music of Clyde Alexander & Sanction maintains a steady rotation on specialist funk and soul radio stations, particularly those focused on deep cuts and rare grooves. Online radio streams dedicated to classic 1970s R&B frequently feature his tracks, celebrating the enduring power of his regional funk sound.

You can hear the essential funk of Clyde Alexander on radio stations featured here on onairium.com, where dedicated channels keep the spirit of 1970s soul music alive for listeners to discover and enjoy.