From the halls of Kashmere High School to the discographies of funk aficionados worldwide, the Kashmere Stage Band’s debut album Our Thing, self-released in 1969, stands as a defining artifact of American funk. Born from a Texas student ensemble under the exacting direction of musical director Conrad O. Johnson, the band forged a sound steeped in raw, unfiltered groove and high-velocity horn work that would resonate for decades.
Our Thing captures the Kashmere Stage Band at a pivotal moment: a relentless propulsion of funk energy that blends tight ensemble precision with improvisational flare. The record’s urgency and swagger reflect a group that embraced momentum over polish, delivering tracks that feel both confrontational and celebratory. Though the era bore the weight of its social context, the band’s music speaks with a universal voice: collective musicianship, fearless storytelling, and a drive to push rhythm and horn lines to the edge.
