Dobie Gray - INKA DINKA DOO - Gold Star Studios (1963)

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED - (JAF 2504) Before Dobie Gray achieved hit status with his Charger single, 'The "In" Crowd in 1965, he was chugging along issuing a half a dozen non charting discs on the Stripe and Real Fine labels label between 1960 and 1962. Signing with CorDak Records under the direction of Fred Darian, his first record out of the chute was a tune entitle, 'Look At Me'. While not a huge hit, it did make some noise and sell a few records in several areas. After a follow-up disc tanked, post haste, Fred Darian wasted no time in sending out the next single utilizing the common practice of mimicking the sound of the hit record before it. In this case, the Jimmy Durante tune, 'Inka Dinka Doo', was put together with the same personnel in the studio and a rip-off arrangement mirroring 'Look At Me'. Not at all a bad effort, but it came and went rather quickly. There was one final CorDak single that flopped before the switch to Charger Records, where in December 1964, Dobie's recording career would change drastically for the better.
Steve Hoffman, a renowned audio mastering engineer, worked exclusively with Fred Darian several years ago compiling a 'Best Of' collection of Dobie Gray recordings using the original session tapes which has yet to be released. According to Hoffman, many of the tracks have been impressively mixed to stereo. However, this recording of 'Inka Dinka Do' was not one of them. Hoffman stated, "..... the actual master tape box and mix are from RCA, Hollywood. No stereo mix was ever made, and the session seems to be lost except for the A and B side mono mixes. Done by Dave Hassinger at RCA."
The A & B sides ('Inka Dinka Do' b/w 'Be A Man') were recorded at Gold Star but as indicated by Steve, ".....Fred often took session tapes to RCA for mixing. 'Go Go', 'In Crowd', etc. Some Magic juju he liked there. But in the case of 'In Crowd', Fred went back to Larry Levine for his mix, which was the keeper, sped up and duped at RCA, though. Such confusion."

[@recordguy4321]

I'm guessing some form of the Blossoms are singing the backgrounds. Thanks for posting

[@stevehoffman9735]

Anthony, the actual master tape box and mix are from RCA, Hollywood. Just thought I'd mention it. No stereo mix was ever made and the session seems to be lost except for the A and B side mono mixes. Done by Dave Hassinger at RCA..

[@AnthonyReichardt]

Recorded at RCA?

[@stevehoffman9735]

@@AnthonyReichardt No, Gold Star. Fred often took session tapes to RCA for mixing. Go Go, In Crowd, etc. some Magic juju he liked there. But in the case of In Crowd, Fred went back to Larry Levine for his mix, which was the keeper, sped up and duped at RCA though. Such confusion.

[@AnthonyReichardt]

@@stevehoffman9735 , your input is most appreciated. If this stuff isn't documented, it just becomes lost to time as those involved 'exit - stage left'. I have inserted the information in the description.

[@jeanesingsjazz]

Who’s idea was this?

[@Avatar610]

Isn’t that the song Durante made famous? Why would Dobie cover THAT?