Formed in Michigan in the early 1970s, Ripple was an interracial soul and funk band best known for their 1973 R&B hit “I Don’t Know What It Is, But It Sure Is Funky”. The band was composed of members Keith Samuels (lead vocals, guitar), Simon Carter (vocals, bass), Brian Sherrer (drums), Wally Carter (percussion), Dave Ferguson (trumpet), Bill Hull (sax and flute), Curtis Reynolds (organ and piano), Victor Burks (keyboards), and Barry Lee (guitar). The group signed to GRC Records and released the single “Willie Pass the Water” in 1973. Their second single, “I Don’t Know What It Is, But It Sure Is Funky”, was a hit single and paved the way for their debut album, Ripple, also released in 1973. They released several more singles on GRC – including “Be My Friend” (1973), “A Funky Song” (1974), “This Ain’t Time to Be Giving Up” (1974), and “Hey Lady” (1975) – before heading out on tour with Parliament in 1975. Ripple left GRC and signed with Salsoul Records. Their first single on the label was “Today”, followed by “The Beat Goes On and On”, their second highest charting hit. Ripple released Sons of the Gods, their second album – and first for Salsoul – in 1977. The album failed to raise their commercial profile and the band split up.
