Rating:
Genre:
R&B
Release Date: 11/07/2000
As whistle-stop tours of
funk go, this is pretty interesting, consisting of 16 cuts mostly drawn from early 1970s records, though a few rather ill-fitting efforts from the early 1980s slip in. Only one of these songs,
Curtis Mayfield's
"Freddie's Dead," is famous, though other respected gents dot the set, some known more for straight-ahead
soul or
soul-jazz than for
funk:
Aaron Neville,
Lee Dorsey,
Roy Ayers,
Jimmy McGriff,
the Meters, and
Bobby Womack. Filling out the program are names that at this point are mostly known to aficionados, like
Ripple,
O'Donel Levy,
S.O.U.L, and
Sir Joe Quarterman & Free Soul. The lack of big stars or a solid thematic center might put some off, but for
funk fans seeking some good off-the-beaten-track sides, this is recommended, both for its quality and eclecticism. It covers credible
James Brown knockoffs, like
Sir Joe Quarterman & Free Soul's
"(I Got) So Much Trouble in My Mind," Moody Scott's
"I Don't Dig No Phony Part 2," and
Eddie Bo's
"If It's Good to You (It's Good for You)";
Maceo & All the King's Men's
"Got to Get Cha" comes by its
James Brown influence honestly, as these fellows (led by saxophonist
Maceo Parker) were in
Brown's band in the late 1960s.
Lee Dorsey's
"Yes We Can," from 1971, predates the more famous
Pointer Sisters hit cover of the tune.
Ripple show a strong
Sly Stone influence on
"I Don't Know What It Is But It Sure Is Funky," and
Aaron Neville, known more for New Orleans
soul, seems to be trying to emulate
Superfly-era
Curtis Mayfield (and quite admirably) on
"Hercules." And
S.O.U.L.'s
"Soul Part 1 & 2" is a real overlooked gem, with its
jazz-influenced groove and
rockin' lead flute.
~Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
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