Carleen and the Groovers

Carleen and the Groovers were a South Carolinan deep funk band led by drummer Carleen Jean Butler.

Clary Butler, the group's trumpeter, started his career with Wilson Pickett before forming the Groovers with his sister in 1970. Other members were: Leon "Shorty" Harris (Saxophone), David Stevens (Bass), John Scott (Guitar).

The band released two singles: "Right On" b/w "The Thing", and their most famous track "Can We Rap?". This track was reissued by Jazzman Records in the UK, sparking renewed interest in the band in the 21st century. "The Thing" subsequently appeared on Now Again's first Cold Heat compilation. At the peak of the band's success Carleen decided that she was moving to Germany. Clary [St. Clair] heard a young drummer by the name of Bernard Smalls performing with the Electric Icebox Band and liked his funk style which was similar to Carleen's. Bernard Smalls joined the band while he was still a sophomore in high school after Carleen moved to Germany and he played with the other original members keeping up the deep funk tradition. After Carleen's departure the band was renamed St. Clair and the Mid-Night Groovers. During the early 70s the band had a tradition of being the best R&B band in the low country with its deep grooves based on James Brown style funk.