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Disc a Day -- Funk + Soul
| Medeski, Martin & Wood are so very strong with the funk that they escaped
old school jazz, New York and the whole continent to
record this record in a shack in Hawaii. Billy Martin, on the skins, keeps the beats moist,
John Medeski's B-3 rings out spit-fire licks while bassist Chri Wood climbs around the sound as
though on a jungle gym. This is the next big thing; people returning to funk in droves. Beat
the rush. Here's one called "Spy Kiss." |
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| Curtis Mayfield -- People Get Ready
(Anthology) (Rhino) |
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Curtis Mayfield continues to bring inspiration to the pop music
world. In 1996, two great releases appeared earning him many new fans and greatly pleasing old
ones. This tremendous three-CD anthology brings together many singles, hard-to-find tracks and great
grooves from a thirty-five year career as the sage soul songsmith. Curtis accentuated the
positive. The first two CDs of the anthology contain a trove of rare material, making
this disc indispensable even for a casual Curtis fan. Rhino once again rises
to the challenge of treating a great artist with due repect in this package. |
| Curtis Mayfield -- New World Order
(Warner Bros.) |
| "New World Order," signifies Curtis Mayfield still has the power
he has wielded so remarkably since the Impressions recorded "Gypsy Woman" in 1961. Over this
time his music has become a cornerstone built on by Hendrix, Marley, Paul Weller, the
Symbol-dude and countless others. Now after a tragic accident left him paralyzed from the neck
down, he has miraculously pulled off a State of the Soul Music address not rivaled since "What's
Going On." Built around his powerful voice this album puts Curtis on top again. As Aretha says
on standout track "Let's Get Back To Livin' Again" 'Go Ahead Mayfield'. |
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| Ray Charles -- Blues + Jazz (Rhino) |
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No introduction is necessary for this pioneer of Soul. Ray
Charles' talents as a composer and arranger are in full flight on this excellent two-CD set
which compiles 70 minutes of Blues, 70 minutes of Jazz and a great book. Most of this material
comes from Atlantic's recordings in the late-50s, which represents a solid core of Ray's most
flawless work. The two discs will get you started on a lifetime of enjoyment. |
| James Brown -- Make It Funky (Polydor) |
| On this fully loaded two-CD set, you've got a fistful of funk.
"Hot Pants, Parts 1 & 2," "Make
It Funky, Parts 1 & 2." Some
payback, revenge.
In fact on this set you'll be hearing parts of songs you didn't know
existed, thanks to extended and alternative mixes. James Brown was still hitting the charts '71-'75 after several band mutinies.
To further this discussion I refer to the
'Godfather' halfway through a thirteen minute version of "Papa Don't Take No Mess." |
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| Jimmy Smith -- Home Cookin' (Blue Note) |
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Jimmy Smith is the master of the B-3 and on this classy reissue of
the 1959 session with Kenny Burrell on guitar, Smith is in smooth, that is turbulent form,
pulling out the stops, stompin the groove. On Home Cookin' you will hear classics such as "I
Got A Woman" and "C.C. Rider" propelled by fleet horn-like runs and "can-get-it" gospel twists.
Enjoy this clip from "Motorin' Along" from the incredible Jimmy Smith. |
| T.J. Kirk -- If Four Was One (Warner Bros.) |
| Founded to cover exclusively James Brown, Rahsaan
Roland Kirk and Thelonius Monk, T.J. Kirk has done more than
establish a groove on "If Four Was One". The groove here is wide enough to float a barge
through. Led by all four members, Kirk is an all-star band. Drummer Scott Amendola and
guitarists Will Bernard, Charlie Hunter and John Schott have many other side bands and records
out, but when they assemble their improvisational skills and tight rhythmic twists elevate
their work to strange new plateaux. |
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