Funky 45's — All Formats  

Rare funk from the Kelekye Band – material recorded after their legendary Moving World album, but never issued at the time! This amazing package is totally great – four tracks of offbeat Afro Funk, with an approach that's heavy on percussion, and topped by jazzy riffs that really complicate the sound – a vibe that goes way deeper than more common Afro modes of the time, thanks to the rich solo energy of the horns! Trumpet is especially nice, and works great with the vocals – especially when they hit a warmer 70s soul mode that almost makes the record feel like Hugh Masekela teaming up with The Blackbyrds. Titles include "Mother Africa", "Munchin Session", "Too Bad Girl", and "Jungle Funk".

Early 70s Afro Funk treasures by the Apostles on a stunning 45 – material mined in a joint effort by Academy & Voodoo Funk – both among of the most reverent and respectful diggers of rare African recordings around these days! The Apostles have a unique vibe of their own, though they carry the influences of, and a love for, the global funk and soul of their time. "Onye Akpa" pulls us right in with loose-limbed, yet walloping drums and a relentless rhythm. Punctuated with woozy organ and sweet guitar lines under shout soul vocals, this one kills all the way! "Oshi Onwu" on the other side is cut from the same sweaty cloth, begging you to shout along with the vocals and then slays you with a funky drum break and limber guitar solo. Top notch all the way down to the picture sleeve. Don't miss out!

The vibrations here are mighty heavy – a wicked bottom that gives way to some righteous female vocals – all tied together by little horn solos that show an almost equal jazz tip to the single as well as funk! The drums are especially nice – tight and heavy – and there's some great funky flute that comes in even more strongly on the flute mix on the flipside!

Timeless garagey R&B from The Ballantynes –the third great 45 in a row from the Vancouver's group! "Faith" seems to have a bit of an uptempo Motown influence driving it, especially when it comes to the catchy chorus – but underneath that is rawer, but still soulful swagger that's exciting as can be. It's more of a stormer than you might guess from the picture sleeve – and a damn good one! "Velvet" is another winner – with traded male and female vocals on this one. It's their best couple of songs yet!

One of the funkiest tunes we've ever heard from Charles Bradley – thanks to some killer drums on the intro, and this wild psychedelic guitar as well! These instruments set a perfect scene for Bradley to really let loose on "Stay Away" – with these blistering vocals that have a late 60s sort of deep soul energy – totally amazing, and pushing our respect for Bradley even further! The tune's a cover of a Nirvana tune – in case you didn't know it – and the flipside features a continued instrumental take on the groove!

A rarity from the early 90s funky underground by Bus People Express – who were alternately working as Soul Saints during this period – and they would soon trailblaze the contemporary funk scene as Poets Of Rhythm! "Augusta Georgia (Here I Come)" starts out with stripped-down drums and some gritty call and response group vocals, before the guitar and bass come storming in. Reminiscent of James Brown at his rawest and grittiest, ala Motherlode! "South Carolina" has a slower cooking style with some southern funky soul swagger, as you might guess from the title. A prescient blast of modern funk to come!

Two great lost numbers from one of our favorite soul artists of all time! "I Can Take Care" is a rolling midtempo number, with that loping Chi soul groove that Gene was working in afer his early Vee Jay sides. Gene's vocals really send us – especially on the the chorus, when they go over the top! "Mr Big Shot" is a great cut too – with a strumming guitar underneath the beat, in kind of a hip mod style that's a real surprise to hear from Gene! There's some backup vocals on the chorus, but the verse has Gene rolling ahead full steam.

Paul Clifton checks in with a great wobble-walker – a heavy number with a rich R&B vibe – vocals and horns all vamping nicely together over the groove! "Too Young" has echoes of "Fever", especially in one of the choruses – and has a similar vamping groove that's equal parts R&B and early soul!

Two spiritual jazz gems – back to back, and both from the excellent Deep Jazz combo! "Spirits Up Above" is that great Roland Kirk classic – taken here at a tightly swinging pace, and with a female lead vocal duo that really gives it a great flavor – putting the lyrics upfront even more than before, almost like the Bey Sisters – yet still leaving some room for a nice solo in the middle! "No Doubt" is an original by the group – resplendent with acoustic basslines right from the start, which set the tune off in a modal waltz mode that's mighty nice!

"Insanity" has a nicely trippy groove – a bit of a head-nodder, but with vocals that bristle out from the back and keep things moving upward – especially when Jimetta Rose opens up! "In The Place To Be" is funkier, with some cool spacey breaking drums – and some cuts from DJ Ren!

A definite beast from Ikebe Shakedown – easily one of the group's funkiest tunes ever! The groove on "Beast" is nice and slow – Afro Funk at a laidback pace, which makes the whole thing unfurl with even more drama than usual – and helps make each percussion punch mean even more than before! "Road Song" has this cool dipping, bubbling sort of vibe – almost a psych touch at times, especially when these cool string-like piano bits come into the mix!