Young-Holt Unlimited 'Soulful Strut' 1968 HQ

USA #3 BILLBOARD, 1968

Young-Holt Unlimited (also known as Young-Holt Trio), were a U.S. soul and jazz instrumental musical ensemble from Chicago, Illinois, United States.

Drummer Isaac "Red" Holt and bassist Eldee Young, formerly members of Ramsey Lewis' jazz trio, formed a new outfit called the Young-Holt Trio with pianist Don Walker in 1966. They met with modest success, including the minor hit with "Wack-Wack", which charted at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 1968, the group renamed itself Young-Holt Unlimited, and replaced Walker with Ken Chaney. Under their new name, the group scored a number three Hot 100 hit with "Soulful Strut," the backing instrumental track from Barbara Acklin's "Am I the Same Girl." "Soulful Strut" sold a million copies with the gold record awarded by the RIAA in January 1969, less than 3 months after the track's release. Follow-up releases failed to match the commercial success of "Soulful Strut", and the group disbanded by 1974, with Young and Holt continuing to play in Chicago small bands.

Young died of a heart attack on February 12, 2007, in Bangkok, Thailand, at the age of 71.

[emmytoussaint]

my uncle kenny chaney played keys on this track and album. Pride of and joy of our family.

[drewsplove]

It is insanely hard to find the name/title of an instrumental when all you have is the melody stuck in your head. I've been looking for this for a VERY long time. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I had an emotional outburst when I accidentally came across this on Youtube. 😭

[helenperez]

My first husband and I, both sixteen in '68, danced to this all by ourselves in a friends garage while everyone else was partying inside the house. He was a great dancer. This beautiful memory will always be in my heart.

[dionmarshall]

Ladies and Gentlemen this is what you call

[joanyoung]

This is what MUSIC feels and sounds like. Loving this in NY at the Blessed Age of 78. In 1968, had graduated from SCSC in Orangeburg, SC in 1967. Had my first teaching job as a music teacher and also church musician. God is good, still teach piano lessons 2x week and still a church musician.😄 "Music is my way of life" and I love listening and dancing to the oldies and goodies music that will never go away, here to stay. Thankful to those great artists/musicians/singers who left their "stamp" of excellent musicianship on our hearts.🙏🏽❤️🎹🎶

[michaelwood]

no better year than 1968 for music...period!

[PattyT-xlzv]

I was 11 yrs old when this song came out! Loved it then, love it now in July 2024!😂🎉😅😊

[dawnaizak-bkqb]

I'm glad I found this song. This song reminds me of my mother so much. I can still see her dancing to this. RIP mom. Miss you. Thank YouTube. ❤❤

[markbecker]

Coolest groove in the world. What a classic. I remember listening to this on AM radio.
Man I'm old.😅

[pariciasummers]

I was 14 when this came out almost 67 now. This brings back some good memories. Carefree days.

[priscillaferguson]

1968 was my senior year in high school. Along with Soulful Strut, Grazin in the Grass, Heard It Thriugh the Grapevine……. 1968 was a very good year 😊

[Debbie]

Is anyone else listening? Love this tune.

[rayburton]

THIS SONG ENCOMPASSES EVERYTHING THAT’S FUN, PURE, HAPPY AND JOYFUL!
SUCH GREAT MEMORIES 🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿

[nancysueewing]

Precious memories, my brother played trumpet on this song for I.M.Terrell High School Band in 1969. He's 71 now.

[thomasleary]

Without a doubt one of the greatest instrumentals of all time. Dare anyone to listen to this without tapping their feet!

[bobbylibertini]

Loved this song since I was a little kid..and I'm 62 now and still love it!

[ritasanchez]

I used to play this 45 as a child in 68. Should've known I would love jazz!❤

[beverlyfunderburk]

Found this in a stack of 45's today. Memories are strong with this one. This is my favorite version. Rocking it in 2024

[Ordell-L-Jackson]

As a musician, this has so much groove, soul & feeling. Love it!

[anniec]

Soulful Strut ♡ 1968, shy and unexpectedly, impromptu dancing on stage at the Fine Arts Center at college in GR, Michigan, and suddenly noticing that the spotlight was directly on me, I knew I had to dance well for my mother, who had always encouraged me from the sidelines at our Chicago block parties.
Mama Dear, resting in peace. ⚘
Isaac Holt (1932-2024) Thank you for the music. ❤