THE LEGACY OF FUNK (VARIOUS ARTISTS)
A sweet set of funky club cuts from the late 70s and early 80s – music that's definitely on the funkier side of the disco spectrum, and which also does a nice job of covering ground from the time before and after the big dancefloor explosion too! This isn't gritty funk, of the funky 45 variety – but instead the tighter, sharper, more mainstream modes that came into play as the 70s moved on – still played by musicians who were at the top of their game, and recorded in ways that allowed all the sharpness of the music to find a new sort of groove! The package includes a few never-issued mixes – including "That's What You Get For Being Polite (DJ Reverent P edit)" by The Jacksons, "Looking Up To You (DJ Reverent P edit)" by Michael Wycoff, "So You Wanna Stay Down (DJ Reverend P edit)" by The Isley Brothers, and "Rockin After Midnight (DJ Reverend P edit)" by Marvin Gaye – plus the cuts "Till You Take My Love (12" mix)" by Harvey Mason, "Love Is Always On Your Mind (12" mix)" by Gladys Knight & The Pips, "Brazilian Love Affair" by George Duke, "Dazz (Dazz disco mix)" by Brick, "Joy To Have Your Love" by Patti LaBelle, "Remote Control" by The Reddings, "Play That Funky Music White Boy" by Wild Cherry, "Haboglabotribin" by Bernard Wright, "Get It Right" by Aretha Franklin, "Sun Goddess" by Ramsey Lewis, "The Groove" by Rodney Franklin, "I've Had Enough" by Earth Wind & Fire, "Hurry Up & Wait" by The Isley Brothers, "Coming To You Live" by Charles Earland, "Lowdown" by Boz Scaggs, "Funkin For Jamaica" by Tom Browne, "Risin To The Top" by Keni Burke, and "Do It Any Way You Wanna (Tom Moulton mix)" by People's Choice. ~ Dusty Groove
MAXINE WELDON - CHILLY WIND
Fully righteous work from singer Maxine Weldon – working here with bigger backings from Ernie Wilkins that mix in a bit of blues, soul, and funk! The style's never too polished, and almost has a similar feel to some of Esther Phillips' work on the Kudu label during the early 70s – soulful vocals at the lead, backed by some hip jazz and electric instrumentation from players who include Blue Mitchell and Bobby Bryant on trumpet, Hadley Caliman and Ernie Watts on tenor and flute, George Bohannon on trombone, and Freddy Robinson on guitar. Titles include "Don't Make Promises", "Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye", "Country Son", "I'll Remember Today", "Fire & Rain", "I Who Have Nothing", and "Ain't Got Nobody". ~ Dusty Groove
LLOYD MCNEIL – WASHINGTON SUITE
One of the most beautiful albums ever recorded by DC flutist
Lloyd McNeil – and one of the grooviest, too! Lloyd's work is always amazing –
stretched-out, spiritual, and filled with life – but this time around, there's
a definite groove to the record that's undeniable – an increased sense of
rhythm, yet one that's still extremely creative, especially in the mellower
moments – which are among some of the most compelling that McNeil ever
recorded. The tunes were originally scored for a dance group, and feature a
core combo with Lloyd on flute, some great Fender Rhodes from Eugene Rush, and
sublime bass and drum patterns – mixed with some haunting added woodwinds,
played by a combo that also features the legendary Andrew White. The whole record
has a beautifully rhythmic quality, filled with throbbing, modal, soulful
grooves – and tracks include "Home Rule", "City Triptych",
"2504 Cliffborne Pl", "Just 71% Moor", and "Fountain
In The Circle". ~ Dusty Groove
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