Junio 30, 2008 a 1:24 am (Uncategorized)
Since Before Our Times (1978).
Recorded in 1977 and 1978 and released in 1979, Osiris’ debut album, Since Before Our Time, is a perfect example of a solid soul/funk release that fell through the cracks and did very little commercially. One can speculate on the reasons why this little known LP was ignored. Some might argue that Osiris’ Sly Stone-influenced material wasn’t disco enough for 1979, but then, Maze and Frankie Beverly had no problem going gold in the late 1970s without jumping on the disco bandwagon. From a commercial standpoint, the problem with Since Before Our Time isn’t a lack of disco—it’s the lack of a really strong single. Tunes like “Damn,” “Almost (Never Gets There)” and “Consistency” work well on an album, but they’re missing the sort of immediacy that a single would have needed to grab a program director’s attention. It’s quite possible that some programmers at R&B radio heard Since Before Our Time and said, “Interesting album, but where’s the single?” Not surprisingly, Warner Bros. dropped Osiris—and it didn’t take long for this LP to go out of print and end up in the cutout bins.(AMG)
Tracks:
1. Gamin’
2. My Love
3. Almost (Never Gets There)
4. What’s the Use?
5. Consistency
6. Damn
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Junio 30, 2008 a 1:05 am (Uncategorized)
Best Vol 2.
Tracks:
1. Let’s Have Some Fun
2. Boogie Body Land
3. Do It (Let Me See You Shake)
4. Spellbound
5. Flying High on Your Love
6. I Lean on You/You Lean on Me
7. Are You Being Real
8. Freaky Behavior
9. She Talks to Me with Her Body
10. Sexomatic
11. Your Place or Mine
12. Dirty Dancer
13. Running in and Out of My Life
14. Today Is the Day
15. Unforgettable Dream
16. Whitehouseorgy
Listen:
1 comentario
Junio 28, 2008 a 4:18 am (Uncategorized)
100° And Rising (1995).
On 100 Degrees and Rising, the pioneering acid house outfit, Incognito, turn in another first-rate record, featuring their trademark mixture of jazz, soul, and funk. There’s not much to distinguish 100 Degrees from their previous handful of records, but the band is smooth, accomplished, and deep, finding new variations on their trademark sound.
Tracks:
1. Where Did We Go Wrong
2. Good Love
3. One Hundred And Rising
4. Roots (Back To A Way Of Life)
5. Everyday
6. Too Far Gone
7. After The Fall (Instrumental)
8. Spellbound And Speechless
9. I Hear Your Name
10. Barumba(Tribute To Luiz Eca)
11. Millenium (Instrumental)
12. Time Has Come
13. Jacob’s Ladder (Instrumental)
1 comentario
Junio 24, 2008 a 3:47 am (Uncategorized)
Decoy (1984).
This rather streaky set of music features Miles Davis with keyboardist Robert Irving III (who has since slipped into obscurity) and guitarist John Scofield contributing most of the compositions and the other solos. There are some moments of interest (Branford Marsalis is heard on some cuts on soprano), but it is doubtful if anyone will be reviving “Robot 415,” “Freaky Deaky,” or “Code M.D.” anytime soon. (AMG)
Tracks:
1. Decoy
2. Robot 415
3. Code M.D.
4. Freaky Deaky
5. What It Is
6. That’s Right
7. That’s What Happened
**Listen**
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Junio 24, 2008 a 3:19 am (Disco, Disco Funk, Funk)
Funky Disco – Vol. 4.
Tracks:
1. B.T. Express – Does It Feel Good
2. Brass Construction – Can U See The Light
3. Jimmy ”Bo” Horne – Let Me
4. Zapp & Roger – Doo Wa Ditty (Blow That Thing)
5. Fatback Band – Gotta Get My Hands On Some (Money)
6. George McCrae – Honey I (I’ll Live My Life For You)
7. Fred Wesley & Jb’s – Doin’ It To Death
8. Kool & The Gang – Open Sesame
9. Brass Construction – Get Up To Get Down
10. Rafael Cameron – Funtown U.S.A
11. Zapp & Roger – I Can Make You Dance
12. Narada Michael Walden – I Should Loved Ya
13. Jimmy ”Bo” Horne – You Get Me Hot
14. B.T. Express – Give Up The Funk (Let’s Dance)
**Listen**
4 comentarios
Junio 21, 2008 a 5:07 am (Uncategorized)
Rare Grooves Vol. 2, Straight Funk.
Tracks:
1. Superman Lover – Johnny Watson
2. Tonight – Kleeer
3. Rigor Mortis – Cameo
4. Same Boat, Pt. 1 – Wesley, Fred & The JB’s
5. Knucklehead – Washington, Grover Jr.
6. Easin’ In – Edwin Starr
7. Blind Man Can See It – James Brown
8. I Want’a Do Something Freaky to You – Leon Haywood
9. Soulful Strut – Young-Holt Unlimited
10. Funkin’ for Jamaica (N.Y.) – Tom Browne
11. Rock Creek Park – Blackbyrds
12. Skin Tight – Ohio Players
13. Hollywood Squares – Collins, Bootsy Rubber
14. Just a Touch of Love – Slave
15. Float On – Floaters
Listen:
**1** and **2**
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Junio 21, 2008 a 2:29 am (Uncategorized)
Central Line – The Collection.
Tracks:
1. Walking into Sunshine
2. I Need Your Love
3. Don’t Tell Me (You Know)
4. Breaking Point
5. (You Know) You Can Do It
6. Shake It Up
7. That’s No Way to Treat My Love
8. You’ve Said Enough
9. Nature Boy
10. Surprise Surprise
11. Goodbye
12. Bad Floyd
13. Time for Some Fun
14. Lost in Love
15. Man at the Top
16. Walking into Sunshine [Larry Levan Mix]
Listen:
**1** and **2**
16 comentarios
Junio 20, 2008 a 3:19 am (Uncategorized)
Funky Disco – Vol.1.
Tracks:
1. Zapp & Roger – So Ruff, So Tuff
2. LTD – Kickin’ Back
3. Dazz Band – Keep It Live (On The K.I.L)
4. The Commodores – Brick House
5. The Brothers Johnson – Ain’t We Funkin’ Now
6. Locksmith – Unlock The Funk
7. Skyy – Skyy Zoo
8. Freedom – Dance Sing Alone
9. Instant Funk – I Got My Mind Made Up (You Can Get It Girl)
10. Instant Funk – Bodyshine
11. The Gap Band – Steppin’ Out
12. Zapp & Roger – I Heard It Through The Grapevine
13. Brick – Dazz
Listen:
**1** and **2**
1 comentario
Junio 20, 2008 a 2:53 am (Uncategorized)
Nightcruising (1981).
By 1981, the Bar-Kays were firmly at the front of the synth-laden R&B pack that would come to dominate much of the scene. But, although they had left their Stax era chops behind, four albums into their Mercury career the band was still capable of flinging some fine funk your way. Best described, perhaps, as contemporary and more urban dance, Nightcruising showcased the band in fine form. Multiple lineup changes hadn’t detracted too much from their overall proficiency, a seamless sound ineffably aided by their long-term relationship with producer Allen Jones. The sonics here are slick, bright, and punchy, and when the Bar-Kays are good they’re nearly unstoppable, a trait best experienced across the hits “Hit and Run” and the deliciously lunatic “Freaky Behavior,” which is packed with electronic antics and just a hint of Rick James styling. But there are other nice touches as well, particularly across the older school-styled “Touch Tone” and “Traffic Jam.” Where the band stumbles, however, is across their ballads. They’re nice enough to be sure, but listeners have never looked to the Bar-Kays to fill that void. And ultimately, it’s this mishmash of style and intent that detracts from the overall package. Rather than try to please everyone, the band should stick to what they do best — thrill the grooves off a crowd.(AMG)
Tracks:
1. Nightcruising
2. Hit and Run
3. Feels Like I’m Falling in Love
4. Freaky Behavior
5. Touch Tone
6. Unforgettable Dream
7. Traffic Jammer
8. Backseart Driver
9. Hit and Run (Bonus Single Version)
12 comentarios
Junio 19, 2008 a 1:57 am (Uncategorized)
Universal Masters Collection(2000).
Tracks:
1. Burn Rubber
2. Outstanding
3. I Don’t Believe You Wanna Get Up and Dance
4. Party Train
5. You Dropped a Bomb on Me
6. Early in the Morning
7. Yearning for Your Love
8. Shake
9. Season’s No Reason to Change
10. Steppin’
11. Humpin’
12. Party Lights
13. When I Look in Your Eyes
14. Open Up Your Mind
Listen:
**1** and **2**
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Junio 16, 2008 a 1:10 am (Uncategorized)
Funky Disco – Vol. 8.
Tracks:
1.I Love You That’s All – Isaac Hayes
2. Pick Up The Pieces – Average White Band
3. When You’re Number One – Gene Chandler
4. Shake – The Gap Band
5. 8th Wonder – Sugar Hill Gang
6. Apache- Sugar Hill Gang
7. Cut The Cake – Average White Band
8. Busted – The Bar Kays
9. Rock It To The Top – Mantus
10. Can’t Be Love (Do It To Me Anyway)- Peter Brown
11. You Dropped A Bomb On Me -The Gap Band
12. Let’s Go ‘Round Again – Average White Band
13. Body Talk – The Deele
Listen:
**1** and **2**
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Junio 16, 2008 a 12:17 am (Uncategorized)
Greatest Funk Classics (2001).
The New Birth revue’s (the Nite-Liters and Love Peace & Happiness) potential went practically unfulfilled in the grand scheme of music. Talented and equipped with soulful vocalists such as the Wilson brothers (Leslie and Melvin), Londee Loren, Alan Frey, and Anne Bogan (who not only participated on some New Birth recordings, but also with Leslie and Melvin Wilson as Love Peace & Happiness, who recorded two RCA albums), the world should have been theirs for the taking. This compilation lives up to its name and is primarily funky. Culled from recordings by New Birth, the Nite-Liters, and Love Peace & Happiness, these are 18 gutbucket funky soul numbers. Tracks of note: “Con-Funk-Shun,” whose title was adopted by another funk band; a gritty remake (even grittier than Bobby Womack’s) of “I Can Understand It”; “Theme From Buck and the Preacher”; “Granddaddy”; “I’m Back”; and “Lonely Room” from Love Peace & Happiness’ Love Is Stronger album. The most obvious omits are the plums: “It’s Been Such a Long Time,” “Wildflower,” “Dream Merchant,” and “It’s Impossible.” Even so, Greatest Funk Classics is a straight-up winner.(AMG)
Tracks:
1. I’m Back
2. I Can Understand It
3. Down and Dirty
4. One Way Bus
5. Pretty Words Don’t Mean a Thing (Lie to Me)
6. Con-Funk-Shun
7. Never Can Say Goodbye
8. Honeybee
9. Do the Granny
10. Theme From the Buck and the Preacher
11. Come and Dream Some Paradise [Theme from Gordon's War]
12. Damn
13. I’ve Got Dreams to Remember
14. Lonely Room
15. We’ve Got to Pull Together
16. Patiently
17. Serenade for a Jive Turkey
18. Granddaddy
Listen:
**1** and **2**
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Junio 14, 2008 a 8:21 pm (Uncategorized)
We Want Miles (Live at Tokyo-1981).
Davis’s second recording since ending his six-year retirement was one of his best of the 1980s. Unlike his bands from the 1970s, this particular unit leaves plenty of space and plays much more melodically. Guitarist Mike Stern lets loose some fury, but electric bassist Marcus Miller is not reluctant to walk now and then in a straight-ahead fashion, drummer Al Foster and percussionist Mino Cinelu are tasteful, and Bill Evans gets in a few good spots on soprano. As for Davis, he was gradually regaining his earlier form. This double LP is highlighted by “Back Seat Betty,” a side-long investigation of “My Man’s Gone Now” and two versions of Davis’s childlike “Jean Pierre.”
Tracks:
1. Jean-Pierre
2. Back Seat Betty
3. Fast Track
4. Jean-Pierre
5. My Man’s Gone Now
6. Kix
Listen:
**1**and **2**
1 comentario
Junio 14, 2008 a 8:12 pm (Uncategorized)
Live At Montreux 2002.
Tracks:
1. Outta Da
2. Mandrill
3. Rollin’ On
4. Cohelo
5. Hang Loose
6. Mango Meat
7. Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi)
8. House of Wood
9. Git It All
10. Fencewalk
Listen:
**1** and **2**
3 comentarios
Junio 14, 2008 a 3:39 am (Uncategorized)
Gonzalez (1974). (EMI)
Tracks:
1. Pack It Up
2. Clapham South
3. No Way
4. Adelanto Nightride
5. Underground Railroad
6. Gonzalez
7. Together Forever
8. Saoco
9. Funky Frith Street
Listen:
**1** and **2**
2 comentarios
Junio 12, 2008 a 4:25 am (Uncategorized)
Ultra Wave (1980).
While certainly not among his greatest efforts, Bootsy Collins’ Ultra Wave (1980) is still infinitely better than most of the disco dregs being squeezed from the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire or Kool & the Gang. Although Collins (bass/vocals) had not formally split up the Rubber Band — as the lineup was a continual fluctuation of talent from the seemingly bottomless reservoir of P-Funk alumni — he takes sole (and quite possibly soul) credit on his fifth long-player in under four years. The title is an homage to the Detroit-based studios where Bootsy collaborated with core Rubber Band contributors Phelps “Catfish” Collins (guitar), Robert “P-Nut” Johnson (vocals), and the superbad dynamic horny horns of Fred Wesley (trombone) and Maceo Parker (sax). Not missing from these — or any other Bootsy affairs for that matter — is the unapologetic party atmosphere Collins’ infuses within every pulsation of his full-bodied and self-proclaimed “Space Bass”. The catchy and sexually tweaked opener “Mug Push” quickly became a dancefloor favorite and garnered a short but significant run on the R&B charts. The overuse of synthesizers becomes increasingly evident, particularly when they practically bury “F-Encounter”’s otherwise stylish groove. The end result sounds like a cross between the Parliament hit “Flashlight” and George Clinton’s “Atomic Dog.” The shuffling “Is That My Song?” is an arguably lightweight entry. But to its credit, Collins, influenced by Sly & the Family Stone and especially funk-bass originator Larry Graham, gives it a respectable degree of listenability. “It’s a Musical” drives hard with brassy and sassy horn arrangements that have the feel of something Quincy Jones might have charted for Michael Jackson circa Off the Wall (1979). The slinky and rubbery backbeat on “Fat Cat” hearkens to the loose booty of former Bootsy’s Rubber Band tracks with Johnson’s falsetto likened to the shrill warbling often utilized on Prince’s seminal sides. The obligatory ballad “Sacred Flowers” also bears trademarks of the Bootsy of old. While that in and of itself is great, it is likewise symptomatic of Ultra Wave’s inherent deficiencies. The pseudo-novelty closer “Sound Crack” would probably have more going for it had Collins ditched the dated opening dialogue. Once it gets up to full steam, it roars with an intensity fuelled by the same bounce behind such P-Funk staples as “Up for the Downstroke.” The 2007 CD reissue by Collectors’ Choice Music has significantly improved sound compared to expensive import editions that can run upwards of a dollar per minute.(All Music Group)
Tracks:
1. Mug Push
2. F-Encounter
3. Is That My Song?
4. It’s a Musical
5. Fat Cat
6. Sacred Flower
7. Sound Crack
2 comentarios
Junio 12, 2008 a 2:13 am (Uncategorized)
Disco Funky.
Tracks:
1. Zapp – More Bounce To The Bounce
2. Kc & The Sunshine Band – Do You Wanna Go Party?
3. Switch – Best Beat In Town
4. Mass Production – Firecracker
5. Disco Circus – Over And Over
6. War – Good, Good Feeling
7. Deniece Willians – I’ve Got The Next Dance
8. Invisible Man’s Band – All Night Long
9. Jimmy “Bo” Horn – Is It In (1979)
10. Kc & The Sunshine Band – One The One
11. Sun – Sun Is Here
12. Brick – Dusic
13. Muscle Shoals Horns – Bump Bee, Bump You Boodye
Listen:
**1** and **2**
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Junio 10, 2008 a 2:56 am (Uncategorized)
Breezin’ (1976).
All of a sudden, George Benson became a pop superstar with this album, thanks to its least representative track. Most of Breezin’ is a softer-focused variation of Benson’s R&B/jazz-flavored CTI work, his guitar as assured and fluid as ever with Claus Ogerman providing the suave orchestral backdrops and his crack then-working band (including Ronnie Foster on keyboards and sparkplug Phil Upchurch on rhythm guitar) pumping up the funk element. Yet it is the sole vocal track (his first in many years), Leon Russell’s “This Masquerade” — where George unveiled his new trademark, scatting along with a single-string guitar solo — that reached number ten on the pop singles chart and drove the album all the way to number one on the pop (!) LP chart. The attractive title track also became a minor hit single, although Gabor Szabo’s 1971 recording with composer Bobby Womack is even more fetching. In the greater scheme of Benson’s career, Breezin’ is really not so much a breakthrough as it is a transition album; the guitar is still the core of his identity.(AMG)
Tracks:
1. Breezin’
2. This Masquerade
3. Six to Four
4. Affirmation
5. So This Is
6. Lady
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Junio 9, 2008 a 12:55 am (Uncategorized)
Face To Face (1982).
Tracks:
1. It’s Alright
2. Dream On
3. You Move Me
4. Who Dunnit?
5. Remember
6. Look at Yourself
7. Remember [Remix]
8. It’s Alright [Radio Edit]
9. Remember [Radio Edit]
Listen:
**1** and **2**
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Junio 8, 2008 a 10:02 pm (Uncategorized)
Closer (1981).
Tracks:
1. Try It Out
2. Street Talk
3. (It’s Been) Too Long
4. Hold Tight
5. Love Is
6. Closer
7. Try It Out [Edited Version]
8. Try It Out [instrumental]
9. Try It Out (Mix Version)
**Listen**
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Since Before Our Times (1978).
