We're #1 - The Perfect Circle (1977)

Rare lp relased by an obscure soul funk combo on Inner City Records in 1977 and produced by George Semper.

Featuring :
Carl (c-man) Walker: lead guitar/percussion/vocals/rhythm guitar - Clyde (czar) Dixon: lead vocals/guitar/percussion/background vocals - Dave (the world) Parnell: tenor/alto saxophone, flute, percussion - Flemmon Green Jr. (ratts): fluegelhorn/lead vocals/percussion/trumpet - Jimmy Smith (jimbo): congas/vocals/latin percussion - Ed (muff) Lyons: electric fender bass/percussion - Ed James (e.j.): drums (traps)/tenor toms/cabasa/vocals - George Semper: clavinet/fender rhodes/hammond organ/piano/string ensemble

This Love Is Mine


The Hands Of Time

Prophets Of Soul - Gregory James Edition (1972)

Not much time to post since several weeks and no internet at home (moving house ...), but this lp is worth to be known in the funk sphere.
It was recorded in 1972 on Dakar records by Prophets Of Soul, a band formed in the late 60's.
Funky keyboards sounds and a nice batch of various rhythms and atmospheres.
Features the nice ballad "Brother Marcus" dedicated to black activist Marcus Garvey, and some standards as "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Shaft". Just great.

Musicians :
Gregory Bibb: clarinet, combo organ, grand piano, fender rhodes - James Norris: guitar - Anthony McAllister: drums

Changing Things


1. Brother Marcus
2. Ain't No Sunshine
3. Grandma Heavy
4. Shaft
5. Changing Things
6. Love And Happiness
7. Make It Easy On yourself

Young-Holt Unlimited - Mellow Dreamin' (1970)

Classic soul funk lp recorded in 1970 on Cotillion records by the Young / Holt combo. This album includes great covers of "Wichita Lineman" and overall "Midnight Cowboy" + several originals as "The Creeper" or the beautiful "Melllow Dreamin'". Definitely one of their bests.

Musicians:
Eldee Young: string bass, electric bass, 8 string & electric cello - Isaac "Redd" Holt: drums - Kenneth Channey: piano & organ - Franck Gordon: trumpet, fluegelhorn

The Creeper


1. The Devil Made Me Do Dat
2. Going In Circles
3. Witchita Lineman
4. Mellow Dreamin'
5. Trippin'
6. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head
7. The Creeper
8. There'll Be A Greater Day
9. Black And White
10. Midnight Cowboy

Christian Gaubert - Last Exit (1979)

A "must have" and nearly classical french funk album originally released in 1979 by Christian Gaubert for RCA label. It was reissued on 2006 on Japanese Production Dessinée label.
No need to present this gem for knowers, really every track is a killer.

"Sweet And Fool Like A Child" was a also compiled on the Funk De Luxe compilation released in 2001 for Hutch Production.

See credits here.

You can buy it here or here in reissued CD or Lp format or original Lp format.

Sweet And Fool Like A Child


Sweet Marilyne


1. It
2. Man On a Wire
3. Sweet And Fool Like A Child
4. Going Ups And Coming Downs
5. Sweet Marilyne
6. Keep On! Keep On!
7. We're Together
8. Running Wave

Daniel Janin - Vade Retro (1975)

Record released by Daniel Janin with his orchestra in 1975 for the legendary 70's french label "Les Tréteaux" (on which was released the very rare "Godchild" library album). Daniel Janin released several records under various aliases (Eddy Driver, etc.) on this quite eclectic label with his accomplice Jean-Claude Pierric and also collaborated with singer Nancy Holloway (check the stunning title "Hurt So Bad" recorded for the "Escale Party" album).
On this album you can find (hidden beyond some hits pop covers) some real killer funk gems typical of this french funk touch of the 70's like "Saramina", "Black Knight", or "Shout".
Note also the quiet cover of the Duke Ellington's Solitude.

Black Knight


1. Vade Retro
2. Chattanooga Choo Choo
3. Assez C'est Assez
4. Le Prince D'Amour
5. Shout
6. Ce N'est Pas Un Au Revoir
7. Vanina
8. Solitude
9. Saramina
10. Black Night
11. Coming Back Home
12. La Déclaration D'Amour

see comments

Steel Funk (STF001)

The idea for this today's post came to me after visiting the moogsensation's blog which reminded me that I had this record somewhere. It's "Steel Funk", a funk compilation oriented to steel drums, a typical instrument originary from Trinidad And Tobago (Southern Carribean).

The Dutch Ryhthm And Steel Band
- Funky Stuff


Earl Rodney - Midnight Man

























1. The Dutch Rhyhm And Steel Band : Funky Stuff
2. Sapodilla Punch : Hold On I'm Coming
3. Trinidad And Tobago Steel All Stars : Do Your Thing
4. Trinidad Steel Drummers : Cissy Strut
5. Original Tropicana Steel Band : Funky Abbey Road
6. Carl McKnights Sweat And Steel Drums Band : Ain't No Sunshine
7. Original Tropicana Steel Band : Calypso Rock
8. Earl Rodney : Midnight Man
9. 20th Century Steel Band : Heaven And Hell Is On Earth
10. Nite Blues Steel Band : T S O P
11. Carl McKnights Sweat And Steel Drum Band : The Devils Out Tonight

see comments

African Music Machine - Water Black Gold (1972)

One quite rare album recorded by this obscure group in 1972. Solid brass session accompanied with good guitar riffs and heavy funky bass.

Musicians:
Louis Villery: bass, vocals - Louis Acom: drums - Tyrone Dotson: tenor sax - Osman: percussion - Amal: trumpet - Ete-Ete: tenor sax, flute - Jumbo: guitar - Obitu: piano, organ

Tropical - Making Nassau Fruit Drink


1. Black Water Gold (Pearl)
2. Mr. Brown
3. A Girl In France
4. The Dapp
5. Never Name A Baby (Before It's born)
6. Tropical
7. Making Nassau Fruit Drink
8. Camel Time

link in comments

Funk Inc - Hangin' Out (1972)

Funky album recorded by Funk Inc. in 1972 for Prestige label. Includes Curtis Mayfield's "Give Me Your Love" and Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now".

Musicians:
Bobby Watley: organ - Gene Barr: tenor sax - Steve Weakley: guitar - Jimmy Mumford: drums - Cecil Hunt: conga - Gordon Edwards: eletric bass

Give Me Your Love


1. Smokin' At Tiffany
2. Give Me Your Love
3. We Can Be Friends
4. Dirty Red
5. I Can See Clearly Now
6. I'll Be Around

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The Crusaders - Those Southern Knights (1976)

Jazz / Funk Lp recorded by the great multi sampled Crusaders guys in 1976.

Musicians :
Wayne Henderson: trombone - Wilton Felder: Tenor sax - Joe Sample : keyboards - "Stix" Hooper: Drums - Larry Carlton: Guitar - Robert Popwell: bass - Arthur Adams: Guitar

Spiral


1. Spiral
2. Keep that Same Old Feeling
3. My Mama Told Me So
4. 'Til The Sun Shine
5. And Then There Was The Blues
6. Serenity
7. Feeling Funky

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Oliver Sain - Fused Jazz (1983)

Great dancin' funky Lp recorded by saxophonist / drummer / composer Oliver Sain in 1983. My favourites are "London Express", "Nothing's Real In L.A." (never can get rid of its intro) and "Feel Like Dancin'" with a pretty vocal bridge but all the album is a pure groovy funk demonstration !

Nothing's Real In L.A.


1. Bus Stop
2. London Express
3. We Got It
4. Nothing's Real In L.A.
5. 20-75
6. Strollin'
7. Feel Like Dancin'
8. Going Back To Memphis
9. Booty Bumpin'

link in comments

James Mason - Rhythm Of Life (1977)

Classical Funky Disco stuff by guitarist and multi keyboardist James Mason. Spacey keyboards and never stoppin' groove for this excellent album.
Recorded in 1977

Musicians :
James Mason : Guitar, Fender Rhodes, Acoustic Piano, ARP Odissey, Polymoog, ARP String Ensemble, Vocals on Hey Hey Hey -Gene Torres : Bass - Mustafa Khaliq Ahmed : Congo Drums - Narada Michael Walden : Drums on all selections except I've Got My Eyes On You and Rhythm Of Life - Dwayne Perdue : Drums on I've Got My Eyes On You and Rhythm Of Life - Justo Almario : Saxophone - Philip Woo : Acoustic Piano on Mbewe and Solo on Hey Hey

Funny Girl


1. Sweet Power Your Embrace
2. Good Thing
3. Free
4. Mbewe
5. Funny Girl
6. Slick City
7. Rhythm Of Life
8. Hey Hey Hey
9. I've Got My Eyes On You
10. Dreams

link in comments