On The Brink: Return Of The Instro-Hipsters

On The Brink: Return Of The Instro-Hipsters

On the Brink is a collection of 20 previously uncomped and absolutely superb UK instrumentals from the '60s and early '70s, assembled by legendary psych musician and Psychic Circle label-head, Nick Saloman (The Bevis Frond). Presenting session men discovering sitars, orchestras getting into the freaky side of things, hip theme tunes, Hammonds, fuzz and brass. Somehow sophisticated and cheesy simultaneously, these acts created their own musical world of Chelsea apartments, mini-mokes, dark velvet bespoke tailoring and the dolliest birds this side of Battersea Bridge. Welcome to the soundtrack of your own unmade Swinging London movie. Artists include: Mike Vickers, the Jim Sullivan Sound, the Shock Absorbers, Wynder K. Frog, Rita, Offside, the Les Reed Orchestra, David Smith, the Keith Mansfield Orchestra, the Dave Davani Four, the Fidd, Ken Woodman's Piccadilly Brass, the John Schroeder Orchestra, Trax Four, the Mike Cotton Sound, Lee Mason and his Orchestra, the Vic Flick Sound, the Chris Barber Soul Band, Brian Bennett and Stanley Myers.

From the mid-'60s to the early '70s, there were quite a few instrumental releases recorded in the U.K. that seemed geared toward the easy listening market. Or, if the intention wasn't quite as gauche, they certainly weren't meant for the average rock fan, who likely wanted something hipper with more vocals and guitars. Still, even if the limited audience for these might have been (at least in part) listeners who wanted to feel a little hip without getting too far out, the musicians nonetheless couldn't help but be influenced by the rock, soul, and jazz trends of the day. On the Brink: Return of the Instro-Hipsters is a 20-track compilation of cuts from obscure 1965-1973 releases in this mold, with Swinging London go-go-like organs and brass being perhaps the most common (though by no means only) ingredients in the arrangements. There are a few names here that will be known to serious British Invasion fans, like Mike Vickers (from Manfred Mann), Jim Sullivan (the numero uno British rock session guitarist before Jimmy Page eclipsed him), Wynder K. Frog, the Mike Cotton Sound, the Dave Davani Four, Vic Flick (famous for playing on "The James Bond Theme"), and British senior jazz statesman Chris Barber; others are known as top cats in the British easy listening arena and have already been honored by reissues of their own (Ken Woodman and John Schroeder).

While any compilation that takes such an unusual angle to such a heavily mined reissue field as British '60s pop is to be applauded, you'd have a hard time pushing all of this as essential listening, even within its narrow subgenre. A good deal of it really is kind of mundane background soul-rock instrumental music – something that could have worked satisfactorily on B-movie soundtracks of the era, but which doesn't stand too well on its own two feet. There are occasional psychedelic echoes on sitar and screeching fuzz guitar, but these sound more like cheesy appropriations to make the cuts seem more "with it" than they sound like outbursts of creativity. It's only occasionally that the tracks let rip with the groovy organ and devious spy guitar licks lots of curious listeners will really want to hear, as the Dave Davani Four's fine cover of the "Top of the Pops" theme and the Vic Flick Sound's "West of Windward" do on both counts. As for other gut-grabbers, Ken Woodman's Piccadilly Brass' "Mexican Flier" would have worked great as a '60s Bond-like thriller theme, and the Chris Barber Soul Band's "Morning Train" (from 1965) has to be the veteran jazzer's most effective stab at the pop/rock market, with some great Brian Auger organ and an edgy jazz-blues fusion that approximates (but doesn't quite match) the sound of the Graham Bond Organisation. Some worthwhile and fun stuff here, then, but there's a significant gap between the best of it and the rest of it.

Review by Richie Unterberger, Allmusic.com

 

 Tracklist:

01. Mike Vickers - On The Brink (02:23)
02. The Jim Sullivan Sound - She Walks Through The Fair (02:44)
03. The Shock Absorbers - It's Your Thing (02:40)
04. Wynder K. Frog - I'm A Man (03:20)
05. Rita - Sexologie (03:17)
06. Offside - Small Deal (02:08)
07. The Les Reed Orchestra - Big Drum (01:58)
08. David Smith - See Me (02:32)
09. The Keith Mansfield Orchestra - Soul Thing (02:59)
10. The Dave Davani Four - Top Of The Pops (02:12)
11. The Fidd - Happy Walk (02:30)
12. Ken Woodman's Piccadilly Brass - Mexican Flier (02:35)
13. The John Schroeder Orchestra - Nightrider (02:55)
14. Trax Four - Moanin' (02:01)
15. The Mike Cotton Sound - Soul Serenade (02:42)
16. Lee Mason And His Orchestra - Deadly Nightshade (03:03)
17. The Vic Flick Sound - West Of Windward (02:59)
18. The Chris Barber Soul Band - Morning Train (02:28)
19. Brian Bennet - Tricycle (02:50)
20. Stanley Myers - Organ Fantasia in D Major (05:49)

 

hipsville dudes

Return Of The Instro-Hipsters, Volume 2

Return Of The Instro-Hipsters, Volume 2
Groovy Instrumentals From The UK 1965-1973

Nick Saloman of the Bevis Frond once again invites us to join him in the obscure pleasures of little-known pop, R&B, and jazz instrumental sides of the '60s and '70s with this collection. A number of the selections featured on Return of the Instro-Hipsters are so obscure that even Saloman isn't sure just who is responsible for them (though he offers some educated guesses on the artists behind such names as Sharks, Oliver Bone, and the Masked Phantom), but there are a good share of solid grooves and kicky melodies to be found here from a number of gifted little-knowns. If you went to the movies in the '70s, "Soul Thing" by Tony Newman will sound familiar, while flautist Harold McNair solos over a Dave Brubeck-influenced piano groove on "The Hipster," Jerry Allen demonstrates new uses for game calls on "Fuzzy Duck," Thunder Road's synthesized version of "Peter Gunn" beats Art of Noise's variation on the theme by more than 15 years, "The Brooke Bond Beat" by Cliff Adams may be the most swingin' tea commercial ever, and the Outer Limits serve up some tough, moody rock, appropriately titled "Black Boots." While there's a bit of "Space Age Bachelor Pad" ambience to this set, it's more a matter of evoking a period than obsessing over a particular sound or style; the disc doesn't wallow in camp for its own sake, with solid instrumental chops and strong songwriting the order of the day. Another solid offering from what's becoming one of the most consistently interesting reissue labels operating today.

Review by Mark Deming, Allmusic.com

 Tracklist:

01. D Cordell's Tea Time Ensemble - A Quick One For Sanity (03:08)
02. The 4 Instants - Discotheque (02:42)
03. The Roger Coulam Quartet - Simba (02:05)
04. Harold McNair - The Hipster (04:41)
05. Music Through Six - Floppy Ears (02:38)
06. Sounds Sensational - Night Cry (02:19)
07. The Masked Phantom - Fried Scampi (02:33)
08. The Johnny Harris Orchestra - Lulu's Theme (02:28)
09. Tony Newman - Soul Thing (03:14)
10. The Tony Evans Band - Beach Bird (02:34)
11. Kenny Clare - Hum Drum (01:53)
12. Sharks - Funkology (02:22)
13. The Outer Limits - Black Boots (03:21)
14. Cliff Adams - The Brooke Bond Beat (02:22)
15. Oliver Bone - Jugger Tea (02:56)
16. Thunder Road - Peter Gunn (02:14)
17. Jerry Allen - Fuzz Duck (02:51)
18. Paraffin Jack Flash - Blue & Groovy (04:15)
19. The Helmut Zaccharias Orchestra - Ton Up (02:37)
20. Ning - More Ning (02:44)

hipster2

Roaring Blue: Return Of The Instro-Hipsters Vol. 3

Roaring Blue: Return Of The Instro-Hipsters Vol. 3 

20 Groovy Instrumentals From The '60s & '70s

The seemingly bottomless record collection of Nick Saloman from the Bevis Frond has spawned the third in an ongoing series of albums collecting obscure instrumental tracks from the '60s and '70s, and while many of these songs support the popular notion that the hipper and more interesting rock artists of the day were fond of vocal numbers, there are some fun and exciting tunes to be found on this set. Roaring Blue draws its title from the lead-off track, a swinging dance tune by the Sound of Jimmy Nicol, featuring the drummer who briefly replaced an ailing Ringo Starr during a tour in 1964 (this may explain why Nicol's drums are so far up in the mix), while members of the long-running U.K. pop band Blue Mink appear on the track "Beat Party" under the pseudonym the Underground, and John McLaughlin adds guitar licks to "Trans-Love Airways" by Big Jim Sullivan. That's about it for star power on this volume, but the lesser known acts are in equally solid form here, with the Des Champ Orchestra delivering a slightly rocked-up arrangement of the theme from It Takes a Thief, Casey and the Pressure Group bringing some supper club funk to a cover of the Shocking Blue's "Venus," Okko Bekker's sitar and a whacked-out synth solo adding to the fun on "Santana," jazzman Shake Keane generating a fine Northern soul dance groove with "Make with Shake," and the Jim Doherty Trio making with some potent organ-based groove jazz on "Ladies Wear"." Many of the other cuts on board are uncomfortably generic sounding, and too many of these songs fit into the same faux-R&B template, making the set a bit tiring by the time it comes to a close. But the good numbers manage to outnumber the bad (just barely), and if you have a soft spot for the kitschy side of U.K. pop, Roaring Blue is just what the doctor ordered.

Review by Mark Deming, Allmusic.com

Tracklist:

01. The Sound of Jimmy Nicol - Roaring Blue (02:14)
02. The Des Champ Orchestra - It Takes a Thief (02:22)
03. Clubman - Round Up (02:46)
04. The Duke of Burlington - 30-60-90 (02:12)
05. Casey & The Pressure Group - Venus (03:01)
06. Okko Bekker - Santana (04:05)
07. The Keith Mansfield Orchestra - Boogaloo (03:44)
08. The Underground - Beat Party (02:44)
09. The 4 Instants - All About My Girl (03:40)
10. Rajah - Deadeye Dick (02:54)
11. Ram Inn Junction - Junction Blues (02:36)
12. Shake Keane - Make with Shake (02:41)
13. Monty Babson - My Friend Jack (03:03)
14. Johnny Howard Band - El Pussy Cat (02:57)
15. Electric Bird - Stoned Out (02:17)
16. The Jim Doherty Trio - Ladies Wear (02:57)
17. The Cyril Stapleton Orchestra - Theme from Department S (02:57)
18. Big Jim Sullivan - Trans-Love Airways (02:09)
19. The Stormsville Shakers - J.C. Greaseburger (04:02)
20. The New Dance Orchestra - Theme Number One (02:54)

hipsville3

The Mutants - Boogie De La Muerte

The Mutants - Boogie De La Muerte Mixture of 60's garage rock, surf, porn funk and manic psychedelia, the instrumental madness of The Mutants is a lost soundtrack for Russ Meyer's, Tarantino's and Aki Kaurismäki's films. Impossible to categorize, they call it "afro-garage-mambo".
The Mutants were founded in 1998 by Weijjo a.k.a Abnormal, who wanted to form an instrumental band after getting tired of difficult singers. Members were picked partly from his previous punk band "Isebel's Pain" and from locations you don´t want to know about. The sound of The Mutants has been wonderfully weird from the first beginnings, only to get seriously sicker since. After the first chaotic gigs with the usual rock instrumentation + organ, they needed to sound bigger. A Saxophone and percussion were added. The originally punk/surf/garage -based stuff is now smashed through Parliament/Funkadelic filter. The beats have been funkier since. You will love it with leather and rubber.

 Tracklist:
01. P.I.P.
02. Texas Rampa Mutant
03. Lady Boy
04. Erotic Doner
05. Romanow
06. Muerte Le Mutande
07. Rotko
08. Ribuli
09. Fraude De El Fierro
10. Backnang

deathdance

The Mutants - Death Cult

The Mutants - Death Cult
Mixture of 60's garage rock, surf, porn funk and manic psychedelia, the instrumental madness of The Mutants is a lost soundtrack for Russ Meyer's, Tarantino's and Aki Kaurismäki's films. Impossible to categorize, they call it "afro-garage-mambo".
The Mutants were founded in 1998 by Weijjo a.k.a Abnormal, who wanted to form an instrumental band after getting tired of difficult singers. Members were picked partly from his previous punk band "Isebel's Pain" and from locations you don´t want to know about. The sound of The Mutants has been wonderfully weird from the first beginnings, only to get seriously sicker since. After the first chaotic gigs with the usual rock instrumentation + organ, they needed to sound bigger. A Saxophone and percussion were added. The originally punk/surf/garage -based stuff is now smashed through Parliament/Funkadelic filter. The beats have been funkier since. You will love it with leather and rubber.

Tracklist:
01. Welcome To Death Cult
02. Port-au-Prince
03. Heavy Caramba!
04. Cps In Heat
05. Iron Jamaica
06. Mutants Death Cult
07. Serious Mojo
08. Jung'ala
09. White Trash Trouble Man
10. The Ghost Of Meadow Hill

killerdiller

The Mutants - Voodoo Blues

The Mutants - Voodoo Blues
Mixture of 60's garage rock, surf, porn funk and manic psychedelia, the instrumental madness of The Mutants is a lost soundtrack for Russ Meyer's, Tarantino's and Aki Kaurismäki's films. Impossible to categorize, they call it "afro-garage-mambo".
The Mutants were founded in 1998 by Weijjo a.k.a Abnormal, who wanted to form an instrumental band after getting tired of difficult singers. Members were picked partly from his previous punk band "Isebel's Pain" and from locations you don´t want to know about. The sound of The Mutants has been wonderfully weird from the first beginnings, only to get seriously sicker since. After the first chaotic gigs with the usual rock instrumentation + organ, they needed to sound bigger. A Saxophone and percussion were added. The originally punk/surf/garage -based stuff is now smashed through Parliament/Funkadelic filter. The beats have been funkier since. You will love it with leather and rubber.

Tracklist:
01. A Caligula
02. High Ride
03. Voodoo Blues
04. Sin Hipster
05. Lumbago
06. Stampede Caravan
07. Southern Far Out
08. Papa Simba
09. Move Along!

voodooyou

Harvey Mandel - Shangrenade (1973)

Harvey Mandel - Shangrenade (1973)

Blues rock with funk and jazz rock fusion elements

In the mold of Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, and Mike Bloomfield, Mandel is an extremely creative rock guitarist with heavy blues and jazz influences. And like those guitarists, his vocal abilities are basically nonexistent, though Mandel, unlike some similar musicians, has always known this, and concentrated on recordings that are entirely instrumental, or feature other singers. A minor figure most known for auditioning unsuccessfully for the Rolling Stones, he recorded some intriguing (though erratic) work on his own that anticipated some of the better elements of jazz-rock fusion, showcasing his concise chops, his command of a multitude of tone pedal controls, and an eclecticism that found him working with string orchestras and country steel guitar wizards. Mandel got his first toehold in the fertile Chicago white blues-rock scene of the mid-'60s (which cultivated talents like Paul Butterfield, Mike Bloomfield, and Steve Miller), and made his first recordings as the lead guitarist for harmonica virtuoso Charlie Musselwhite. Enticed to go solo by Blue Cheer producer Abe Kesh, Harvey cut a couple of nearly wholly instrumental albums for Phillips in the late '60s that were underground FM radio favorites, establishing him as one of the most versatile young American guitar lions. He gained his most recognition, though, not as a solo artist, but as a lead guitarist for Canned Heat in 1969 and 1970, replacing Henry Vestine and appearing with the band at Woodstock. Shortly afterward, he signed up for a stint in John Mayall's band, just after the British bluesman had relocated to California. Mandel unwisely decided to use a vocalist for his third and least successful Philips album. After his term with Mayall (on USA Union and Back to the Roots) had run its course, he resumed his solo career, and also formed Pure Food & Drug Act with violinist Don "Sugarcane" Harris (from the '50s R&B duo Don & Dewey), which made several albums. In the mid-'70s, when the Rolling Stones were looking for a replacement for Mick Taylor, Mandel auditioned for a spot in the group; although he lost to Ron Wood, his guitar does appear on two cuts on the Stones' 1976 album, Black & Blue. Recording intermittently since then as a solo artist and a sessionman, his influence on the contemporary scene is felt via the two-handed fretboard tapping technique that he introduced on his 1973 album Shangrenade, later employed by Eddie Van Halen, Stanley Jordan, and Steve Vai. (By Richie Unterberger)

   

Tracklist:

01. What the Funk (Victor Conte) 03:06

02. Fish Walk (Victor Conte) 04:46

03. Sugarloaf (Harvey Mandel) 04:16

04. Midnight Sun II (Harvey Mandel) 03:42

05. Million Dollar Feeling (Coleman Head) 03:32

06. Green Apple Quick Step (Harvey Mandel) 03:09

07. Frenzy (Victor Conte, Coleman Head, Paul Lagos, Harvey Mandel) 04:32

08. Shangrenade (Harvey Mandel) 04:14

harveyman

Eddie Hazel Games Dames & Guitar Thangs

Eddie Hazel's only solo album has been out of print for too long, and is briefly available direct from Rhino's Handmade line (or was when I wrote this-- www.rhinohandmade.com). Hazel is of course the legendary guitarist from the first few Funkadelic albums, and is one of the most overlooked guitarists out there. The album really is a feature for Hazel's guitar plyaing, and many Funkadelic members show up to help out with this one (including Bernie Worrell, Bootsy Collins and Tiki Fulwood, with both Collins and George Clinton contributing songs). Appended to the end of this release is a jam session from 1975 with Buddy Miles on drums originally released as "Jams from the Heart".

If you're familiar with Hazel (and with "Maggotbrain"), then you know what to expect-- his playing is fiery, powerful, and inventive. Musically, the record moves through the sort of funk modes similar to what Funkadelic did, although all the songs here are quite loose to allow a heavy emphasis on guitar soloing--Hazel soaks in different tones, always with his wah-wah close to his heart. There's not much in the way of vocals on this one, but they're not really important. Check out the monster playing from Hazel throughout certainly, but especially on "I Want You (She's So Heavy)"-- words can't describe.

Odds are, if you know to look for this, you know what you're getting yourself into-- if you don't and you're a fan of P-Funk or you just love great guitar playing, this is a fantastic album. Definitely worth checking out, its just a shame it hasn't gotten wider distribution.

1 California Dreamin’ (6:16)
2 Frantic Moment (3:42)
3 So Goes The Story (3:55)
4 I Want You (She’s So Heavy) (9:25)
5 Physical Love (5:32)
6 What About It? (3:46)
7 California Dreamin’ (Reprise) (1:30)
8 Smedley Smorganoff (3:07)
9 Lampoc Boogie (11:47)
10. From The Bottom Of My Soul (12:35)
11 Unkut Funk (2:03)

pfunklivesbaby

Eddie Hazel -Rest in P

"Rest in P" is an essential collection of unreleased solo material recorded by the pioneering lead guitarist of Parliament/Funkadelic. It contains some songs from a previously issued CD titled "Jams from the Heart". However, you would not be disappointed to have both. Actually, "Rest in P" has complete versions of the songs "Unkut Funk" and "Smedly Smorganoff" from the "Jams from the Heart" and much more from George Clinton's vaults. "Rest in P" also has more songs which give it more of an album feel. The song "We Three" is the same song as "From the bottom of my heart" from the "Jams..". However, George Clinton adds some Keyboards from Bernie Worrell on this production which gives it a different feel. This song is the jewel set. Eddie showcases his strong, soulful vocals with his incomparable lead guitar virtuosity. Eddie "puts it down" on this one. "No, It's not" is a strong track that is like an instrumental version of Funkadelic's "Comin round the Mountain". "We are One" and "Juicy Fingers" and also strong cuts. The songs were likely recorded during his sessions for his solo album "Games, Dames and Guitar Thangs. The songs have the same feel and the same musicians such as Bernie Worrell, Billy "Bass" Nelson, Jerome Brailey, Tiki Fulwood and Bootsy Collins on Space Bass. This CD is essential for anyone into "P-Funk" and anyone who loves good guitar playing. Eddie "Maggot Brain" Hazel is in a class by himself. These two make the complete solo output of Eddie.

1. Until It Rains
2. Beyond Word and Measure
3. Relic 'Delic (Purple Hazel)
4. Straighten Up
5. Juicy Fingers
6. We Three
7. Why Cry?
8. We Are One
9. No, It's Not!
10. Until It Rains (Reprise)

ehrr4stfulnot

Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Orchestra - Hooked Up Classics

Shawn Lee dons his Ping Pong Orchestra hat for an album inspired by the Hooked On Classics series of the early 1980s. This popular series of albums (arranged by Louis Clark of Electric Light Orchestra fame) took well-known classical pieces and gave them a contemporary re-working, mostly adding a disco flavor. Lee throws his new musical twist on the idea, taking 12 favorite classical tracks and squeezing them through the Ping Pong Orchestra machine. The end result is an album that will introduce new listeners to legendary pieces of music, and is set to turn the heads of classical music fans.

Really enjoyable. Will bring back a wash of nostalgia. I have all the other "Hooked Ons" if you need that vibe.

01. 1812 Overture
02. Swan Lake
03. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
04. Ride of the Valkyries
05. Gymnopedie No.1
06. Peter and the Wolf
07. Also Sprach Zarathustra
08. Flight of the Bumblebee
09. Bolero
10. In The Hall of the Mountain King
11. Romeo and Juliet
12. Funeral March

hookersclass

Diplomats of Solid Sound Plenty Nasty

This album from Iowa City s ambassadors of funk and soul, The Diplomats Of Solid Sound features for the first time, The Diplomettes. Having already cut 3 full-length albums, "Instrumental Action Soul" (Prescription Records - 2001), "Let´s Cool One"(Estrus Records - 2003) and "Destination Get Down!" (Estrus Records - 2005), you can hear the band growing stronger in sophistication and depth as they further ingested the sounds of 60s soul, R&B and deep funk. Cut to 2006 and The Diplomats became backing band to RnB/Soul legend Andre Williams & recorded "Aphrodisiac" with ´Mr. Rhythm´ released in 2006 on both Pravda and Spanish label Vampisoul. That same year they asked 3 gifted soul sirens (Sarah Cram, Katherine Ruestow & Abigail Sawyer) aka the Diplomettes to join the group and the rest as they say is soul history. This self-titled album is chock full of irresistible funk and soul bombs ready to melt your heart or make you shake it on the dance-floor. As an added bonus, Lack Of Afro put in a bit of overtime in the studio to sprinkle his magic on "Hurt Me So", giving it a skankin' reggae feel while retaining the silky smooth vocals.

01. Plenty Nasty (3:50)
02. Come In My Kitchen (3:23)
03. Hurt Me So (3:37)
04. Budget Fro (3:29)
05. Trouble Me (2:13)
06. Soul Connection (2:33)
07. Smokey Places (3:16)
08. Lights Out! (3:57)
09. B-A-B-Y (2:58)
10. If You're Wrong... (I Don't Want To Be Right) (3:11)
11. Hurt Me So (Lack Of Afro Remix) (3:50)

dliplomatzss

Skeewiff - Private Funktion

The killer 3rd album from SKEEWIFF mixing funky breaks with spy soundtrack and 60s lounge jazz influences. The CD features the talented keyboard work of Hammond legend ALAN HAWKSHAW (check the MOHAWK's CHAMP). The record also features a new version of their single MAN OF CONSTANT SORROW done with label boss TREVOR MAC (you'll recognize the vocals from the BROTHER WHERE ART THOU soundtrack). Tracks from the album have gotten played by ANNIE NIGHTGALE (BBC RADIO 1), KCRW in LA, URSULA 1000, DR RUBBERFUNK, MALENTE, RAW DEAL, KRAAK & SMAAK, ALDO VANUCCI, and more. A well produced, energetic funky breaks CD that will put a smile on your face

Tracklist:

01. SMASH AND GRAB
02. LOVE POWER
03. TRIUMPH STAG
04. MAN OF CONSTANT SORROW
05. GIGGITY (ALLRIGHT)
06. LITTLE SPOT OF SOUL
07. LOST DUE TO INCOMPETENCE
08. LIGHT THE FUSE
09. WET YOUR BEAK
10. RUBY'S REVENGE
11. MATADOR
12. HUSKY
13. SOUL BOSSANOVA

skeefunk
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The Soul Investigators Fat Slice O'Funk

From humble beginnings in Finland during the winter of 1997, the band has forged worldwide reputation with a string of classic 7' singles and two LP releases on their own TIMMION label, along with sides for JIVE records and the now defunct New York-based SOUL FIRE records. The Soul Investigators have been cooking in the deep funk underground for long enough. Now here they are; fat, tasty and straight up funky - but still raw as hell!
Fat Slice O' Funk is a collection of the best of The Soul Investigators body of work. A combination of previously released and unreleased songs from Finland's funk meisters who have been inspired by James Brown, The Meters, Booker T. & The MG's and Mickey and The Soul Generation. The Soul Investigators don't stray from the path. It's raw, authentic, and mostly instrumental. The album features soulstress Nicole Willis with the track 'Rag Doll'. Nicole has been embraced by the UK's Northern Soul scene and has had an overwhelming repsonse to her new LP 'Keep Reachin Up'.

1. Sassy strut (4:32)
2. Rag Doll Pt1 Feat. Nicole Willis (2:32)
3. Lets Have Some (3:10)
4. Ahh Soul (2:14)
5. Mo Hash (2:08)
6. Ma Gee (3:04)
7. Make You Wanna Holla (3:34)
8. Compin and Smokin (2:32)
9. Good Food (3:34)
10. Investigators Testifying (3:00)
11. Soul strike (3:10)
12. Ci Ca Boo (3:07)
13. Calypso strut (2:56)
14. Home Cooking pt 1 & 2 (4:34)
15. Raw Steaks (3:14)
16. Micro Popcorn (3:28)

soulinvfunk

The New Mastersounds-This Is What We Do

'After gaining respectability through backing jazz funk masters like Lou Donaldson, and popularity through opening for groups like the Greyboy Allstars, NMS have, on their third release, hit their stride. Much like their American counterparts Soulive, NMS know how to work tight riffs and taut melodies into wild, extended jams.' (Japan Times)
'Tight old-school funk from Britain, with healthy dollops of soul-jazz and a little blues mixed in. It's all instrumentals and all live (no samplers or turntables required, thank you), with a solid 60s/70s sound that'll make you think of The Meters. A rollicking good time!' (KZTU Review)

1. Zambezi (3:51) 2. All I Want (Right Now) (4:15)3. Tin Drum (Featuring Sam Bell) (3:33)4. You Got It All (2:58)5. Land Of Nod (7:48)6. Ain't No Telling (3:00)7. Minx (4:53)8. Afternoon At Gigi's (3:43)9. Pure (Featuring Sam Bell) (4:08)10. La Cova (2:51)11. Baby Bouncer (3:13)12. Vandenburg Suite (3:38)

noobwhat

Funkadelic Maggot Brain

Funkadelic was George Clinton's chance to get serious. Unlike Parliament, Funkadelic exhibited topical lyrics and an almost heavy-metal edge, one that included screeching, distorted guitar and unsettling musical turns. This 1971 album, Funkadelic's second release, catches the ensemble in its early prime. The Hendrix-inspired dramatics come courtesy of Eddie Hazel, while Bernie Worrell admirably handles the keyboard chores. Clinton's humorous, sober lyrics address poverty, race relations, and drug use. Musically, the band covers lots of ground: Everything from smooth soul and heavy rock to abstract psychedelia and straight-on funky grooves has a place, and these jarring shifts are what make the album a revolutionary work. --Marc Greilsamer

The Psych instro Maggot Brain is worth it by itself.

Tracks
1. Maggot Brain 2. Can You Get To That 3. Hit It And Quit It 4. You And Your Folks 5. Me And My Folks 6. Super Stupid 7. Back In Our Minds/Wars Of Armageddon

fdmagbr

Ronald Jenkees - Disorganized Fun

YouTube sensation keyboardist. 2nd release and really well polished. OUTSTANDING virtuosity. Think Keith Emerson for this generation. All done on midis and electronic keyboards - sounds like a throwback to the great MOOG discs of yore. Nothing cheezy here - just well aged funk. You will like it - except for the obligatory last two rap craps. So delete those and groove out.

01 - Disorganized Fun 02 - Fifteen Fifty 03 - Guitar Sound 04 - Synth One 05 - Throwing Fire
06 - Minimal MC 07 - Stay Crunchy 08 - Inverted Mean 09 - Outer Space 10 - Let’s Ride
11 - It’s Gettin Rowdy

rjgetrow

Alan Hawkshaw Mo'Hawk

Subtitled - The Essential Vibes & Grooves 1967-1975. The focus of this RPM/Cherry Red compilation is on the music that swings in the clubs, the hammond organ driven beat sounds such as 'Beat Boutique' & 'Action Man', & the best chill out apres-ski numbers such as the stand out classic 'Girl In A Sportscar'.

Alan Hawkshaw is one of those unheralded heroes of popular music history. He's had his hands in a lot of places without anyone knowing who he is. He played with Donovan during the Hurdy Gurdy Man's heyday, collaborated with Serge Gainsbourg on several of Serge's 70s albums, and he did soundtrack work on countless cool movies. This collection is an excellent selection of some of Hawkshaw's best soundtrack work. If you're into 60s/70s groovy soundtracks, this one will hit your sweet spot. Heavy B-3 dominates the sound, which also features some cool fuzz guitar work. If the Ventures had Jimmy Smith as their organist, and if that band performed soundtrack scores composed by Ennio Morricone that were to be used in European crime and softcore sex movies from the 60s and 70s, what would come out of all of that is similar to the effect of Hawkshaw's work.

The original Library albums & commercial releases now highly sought after & these are Club friendly grooves. It is the first time on disc for two-thirds of the collection. 20 tracks. 2003.

You want this.

1. Señor Thump - Alan Hawkshaw, The Mohawks 2. Beat Me 'Til I'm Blue - Alan Hawkshaw, The Mohawks 3. Move Move Move 4. Girl at the Top 5. Hastle 6. Millionairess 7. Beat Boutique 8. Piccadilly Night Ride 9. Dr Jekyll and Hyde Park - Alan Hawkshaw, The Mohawks 10. Sweet Motion - Alan Hawkshaw 11. Blue Note 12. Girl in a Sportscar 13. Dave Allen at Large 14. Raver
15. Drive On 16. Action Man 17. Rocky Mountain Roundabout - Alan Hawkshaw, The Mohawks
18. Powerboat 19. Rumplestilskin - Alan Hawkshaw 20. Hawkwind and Fire

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Soul Groovin - Speedometer Live

This was made in the 2009, but you would swear it was 1972; Speedometor speciaize in old school funk; boogaloo, organ jams, and fantastic vocal tracks that Maggie Joseph or Candi Staton have nothing on.

No modern production, no new flourishes, nothing but the CD to indicate this was not made in the 1970s heyday of funk.And I am licking it up all the way home. You betcha. Bring it on. I love it.

1. Speedopener 2. At The Speakeasy 3. Kool To Be Uncool 4. What Am I Gonna Do? 5. Answer To Mother Popcorn 6. Make It Alright 7. Kool & The Gang / Let The Music Take Your Mind 8. Four Flights Up 9. Soul Grooving 10. Am I Your Woman (tell Me So) 11. No Man Worries 12. Work It Out

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Mojo- James Brown’s Funky Summer

We have a number of classic JB recordings, some of which were released under James Brown's own name, some of which featured artists that he championed or has worked with over the years. Also included in this collection are a couple of tracks by acts that influenced the great man himself, namely Roy Brown and The 5 Royales ...." The other tracks are: Funky Women by Maceo And All The King's Men; If You Don't Give Me What I Want (I Gonna Get It Some Other Place) by Vicki Anderson (according to Nrown, the best female vocalist he ever had in his renowened Revue); You Can't Love Me If You Don't Respect Me by Lyn Collins (the uncharted flip of her 1974 hit Rock Me Again & Again & Again & Again & Again & Again); Between Two Sheets by Fred Wesley & The Horny Horns; What So Never The Dance by Bootsy Collins; I Know You Got Soul by Bobby Byrd (a # 30 R&B and # 117 Hot 100 "Bubble Under" in July 1971); What A Good Man He Is by Tammi Terrell; Please Please Please by The Soul Survivors; Cold Sweat by Albert King (which had been the uncharted B-side of his 1971 hit Can't You See What You're Doing To Me?); Love Don't Love Nobody by Roy Brown & His Mighty-Mighty Men (a # 2 R&B in the fall of 1950); Tell The Truth by The "5" Royales; and Antenna by Braille. The sound quality is excellent. A decent mix of funky stuff.

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Jimmy MCGriff - Greatest Hits

This is an excellent compilation of Jimmy McGriff's sides from 1963-1971. This includes material from Sue, Veep, Solid State, Blue Note and Capitol. Jimmy McGriff is one of the funkiest blues organ players around. If you are familiar with him through his recent Milestone releases then you already know what I'm talking about. This compilation contains some of his earliest material. It includes his two biggest hits "I Got A Woman" and the extremely funky cut "The Worm." Some of my favorite cuts include a cover of James Brown's "Ain't It Funky Now", "Blue Juice", "Criss Cross" and "Gospel Time." The material from his funky Solid State years is much appreciated because those albums are out of print at the moment.
Fans of gritty blues/soul jazz organ will find much to enjoy with this set.

1. All About My Girl 2. I've Got a Woman (Parts 1 & 2) 3. Discotheque U.S.A. 4. Kiko 5. See See Rider 6. Cash Box 7. Gospel Time 8. Where It's At (Live) 9. The Last Minute 10. Blue Juice 11. Step One 12. Chris Cross 13. South Wes 14. Black Pearl (Live At The Golden Slipper) 15. The Worm 16. Ain't It Funky Now 17. Fat Cakes

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