GOOD TO YOUR EARHOLE
- FUNK, SOUL, JAZZ, HIP HOP, DUB AND MOST THINGS IN BETWEEN.....
By Brian Coleman
ACME FUNK
compilations to hit the streets in some time. A rumored offshoot of the
French PURE label (which has put out four incredibly good rare groove
compilations of its own, plus several other releases) ACME FUNK Vols. 1 and 2
have clearly shown that the end of the rare groove revival both in
Europe/Japan and the U. S. is certainly nowhere in sight. These compilations
are both lovingly put together by obvious funk fanatics with class and a
definite soft-spot for crazy covers of popular funk anthems, usually by Latin
artists who no-one's ever heard of. While last year's Vol. 1 tended more to
the mellow (and somewhat mediocre) side of things, with tracks by Don
Sugarcane Harris, Frank Pellico, Joe Bravo and Ray & His Court among even
more obscure stuff, Vol. 2 hits very hard, and is certainly among the top 10
of the rare groove compilations that have surfaced in the past five years.
To pick out selected tracks would be pointless, since there's not a bad one
in the bunch, but here's an idea of what's in there: Studio Sound's reggae
cover of the JBs' "Gimme Some More," the mellow funk of Oscar Harris and the
Twinkle Stars' "Relax Before Having Sex" (easily the title of the year),
Frank Motley and the Hitch Hikers' cover of Eddie Bo's "Hook and Sling" and,
to top it off, Moog-madman Dick Hyman's twisted and strangely groovy cover of
James Brown's "Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose." Both comps also have great
looking cover art, something sorely missing from most rare groove
collections, and Vol. 2 even has two great "Surprise Break Beats." How can
you go wrong with all that???
FUNK INTERNATIONAL
Another impressive compilation is the third release on the much-hyped Vinyl
Dogs label, called FUNK INTERNATIONAL. Much as one would expect, the sick
and depraved folks at Vinyl Dogs have dug up some crazy funk from San
Francisco to the Philippines, and several locations in-between. Unlike their
previous two releases -which were so heavy on the beats that I rarely escaped
a concussion after listening Vol. 2 in its entirety - this compilation leans
heavily on the funk/rare groove side of the fence; but with similar
physiological dangers. Included are an incredible cover of James Brown's
"Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" by a Filipino band called the Soul Kids, a
soulful reggae version of Charles Wright's "Express Yourself" by Hopeton
Lewis, a deep Latin cover of soul-jazz organist supreme Lonnie Smith's "Move
Your Hand" by La Clave and the craziest track of all: the Meters' "Cissy
Strut" done by a group called the Trinidad Steel Drummers. Besides these,
there are also 5 originals by several more unknown funk outfits from around
the world, which are of equal quality. Also, check out the cover artwork
(another Vinyl Dogs first), with a UFO hovering above a planet of funk
freaks, with one alien passenger stating to another "Damn! That's a funky
planet.." Couldn't have said it better myself!
And just when you thought it would end, a third hearty compilation series has
come to us from the people at Ubiquity/Luv 'N' Haight Recordings in the form
of the new EXPLORATIONS VOLS. 1 & 2. Similar in quality and content to much
of the Instinct Records fare these days, EXPLORATIONS features some great
jazzy soul and European R & B licensed from labels around the globe. Both
are definitely worth checking out if slick and heavy new funk is your bag.
Recommended cuts include, from Vol. 1: Izit's "Say Yeah," Family Tree's
"Hang On To Your Pride" and Step It Up's "Flex." Vol. 2: Count Basic's
"Hide Abstract Jazz" (as tripped out, catchy and amazing as acid-jazz gets),
Kruder & Dorfmelster's "Deep Shit Parts 1 & 2" and the stunning vocal
smoothness of Jacksoul's "Unconditional." Considering the recent popularity
of this genre of music, EPLORATIONS VOL. 3 can't be too far around the
corner. (Ubiquity Recordings. PO Box 192104. San Francisco, CA 94119. Fax
(415) 979-0966.)
JBs FUNKY GOOD TIME
And, please folks, let's not forget the grand-daddy of all funk groups: THE
JBs. As their legacy continues to live on with their profound influence on
the '70s groups highlighted in compilations such as ACME FUNK and FUNK
INTERNATIONAL as well as latter day outfits such as the Brand New Heavies and
the Poets Of Rhythm, this 2 CD (where's the wax??) compilation is the
ultimate funk collection for both newcomers and old fans. Featuring more
well-known tunes such as "Gimme Some More," "Doin' It To Death," "Rockin'
Funky Watergate," "Soul Power '74" -technically by Maceo and the Macks- and
"Hot Pants Road" FUNKY GOOD TIME (Polydor Chronicles) also includes more
buried treasures and juicy bits of James Brown's genius such as an almost 14
minute version of "More Peas," an incredible and never-before-released live
version of "Gimme Some More," and other rarities such as "My Brother (Parts 1
& 2)" and "Keep On Bumpin' Before You Give Out Of Gas" by The Last Word.
Nothing more need be said except that for a funk fan not to own this is
nothing short of heresy.
ULTRAMAGNETIC MCs BASEMENT TAPES (1984-1990)
Tuff City has released another important piece of hip hop history in a new
compilation of previously unreleased tracks by the Ultramagnetic MCs, the
South Bronx's lesser known-but not less important -crew that brought the "new
school" of rap into existence through their groundbreaking and skillful use
of drum machines and samplers. Featuring principal members Ced Gee, Kool
Keith and Moe Luv, the Ultramagnetics, with the help of the late Paul C.,
from 1986-1991 produced some of the most intricate, mind-bending lyrics and
hardest beats that rap has seen before or since and BASEMENT TAPES,
consisting entirely of unreleased material from this fertile period, is a
great view deeper into the history of a group that changed the face of modern
hip hop music. Cases in point are the brutal drum machine programming on
"You Got To Feel It" and "Braniac" and lyrical labyrinths spun by Ced Gee and
Kool Keith on "We're Ultra (Part. 3)" and "Ya Sleepin'". Most of the tracks
are muddy and poorly recorded, but what the hell do you expect from a
compilation entitled Basement Tapes? Very highly recommended for
Ultramagnetic fans and hip-hop historians alike. (Tuff City. 200 West 72nd
St., Ste. 56. New York, NY 10023.)
CREATION REBEL HISTORIC MOMENTS VOL. 2
Adrian Sherwood's dub genius continues to shine with this new collection on
Restless Records of Creation Rebel recordings from 1979-80, taken from
Sherwood's STARSHIP AFRICA and THREAT TO CREATION sessions. More spaced out,
expansive and experimental than the late 1978 selections on Historic Moments
Vol. 1, tracks included here are a clear progression along Sherwood's path to
the assembly of his current (and ultimate) production vehicle, Dub Syndicate.
Sparse arrangements, impeccable drumming and piano/guitar licks reverbed to
infinity combine to create the ultimate in what the youth of today call
Ambient/Dub, although to my ears Sherwood's work doesn't seem in danger of
being eclipsed by any of the aforementioned genre's modern day practicioners.
Every track is an adventure on HISTORIC MOMENTS, so sit back, relax and let
the music take your mind. Further commendation is due on the cover artwork
for both volumes, indeed some of the coolest that this reviewer has ever
seen. (Restless Records. 1616 Del Mar Avenue. Hollywood, CA 90028. Fax
(213) 957-4355.)
Bri Ski C@AOL.Com
"Funk Is Its Own Reward"