Eddie continues the funky groove begun on Instant Funk, and smoothed out over albums like I Need Some Money – and although jazz fans probably gave him hell for going this way, we think this is actually a pretty darn great album! The record takes all of Eddie's experimentation with groovy styles from the early 70s, and filters it through some tighter playing that actually makes the groove a lot more compelling than before. A number of the tracks have vocals, almost in a humorous Bill Cosby mode – but in a way that also preserves the party feel of the cuts. Players include Bobby Lyle, Paul Humphrey, Buck Clarke, and Bradley Bobo – and one Chicago-recorded track features a great assortment from older years that includes Muhal Abrams, Odell Brown, Marshapp Thompson, Willie Henderson, and Richard Evans. Titles include "Tryin Ain't Dyin", "Ooh", "Exempt", "Live Again", "Flowers", "Why Do You Hurt Me", and "It's All Right Now". (Jazz, Soul) LP, Vinyl record album

An overlooked later set from Stax Records giant Eddie Floyd – a Malaco records album that has Eddie transforming his sound nicely for the time – picking up a slightly clubby groove while he still keeps his vocals right on the money! Arrangements are by Wardell Quezerque, who keeps plenty of southern soul roots at the core – while also bringing in a modern soul approach that's quite different than the Eddie Floyd sound of a decade before. Production is by Floyd and Mack Rice – and the pair also wrote most of the songs on the set, some great original material that really helps strengthen this new voice of Eddie's. Titles include "Prove it To Me", "Feel My Body", "Take A Chance On Me", and "You're Gonna Walk Out On Me". CD

Damn funky work from the west coast scene of the late 60s and early 70s – just the kind of tracks to dispel the idea that too much sun or cannabis might have left the Cali scene a bit weak! Instead, these cuts are right on the money, stone funky throughout, and light years from any sort of California connotations you may have – no west coast jazz, smooth AOR, or breezy Bay Area – and much more of the grit and groove that was brewing up on funky 45s from all points east! Drums are heavy, guitars are sharp, and vocals are super-righteous – filled with the kind of messages that you could only get across on the sort of small label releases that make up most of this set – and which also include a few unreleased tracks appearing here for the first time ever. As usual with BGP, the package is as superb as the music – great sound, detailed notes, and a wonderful track selection that includes "Earthquake" by Rulie Garcia, "Hang Up (part 1)" by Warm Excursion, "Pickin Cotton" by Johnny Talbot & De-Thangs, "If She Wants To Go" by Choice Of Colors, "Just Ain't My Day" by The Entertainers IV, "The Git Down (parts 1 & 2)" by Little Johnny Hamilton & The Soul Pack, "Strike" by Union, "I'm Gonna Speak Out" by Eddie Horan, "The Man" by Jesse & Anita, "Check Me Out" by Little Denise, "The Sneak" by The Douzer, "You Don't Know The Damage You've Done" by Vernon Green & The Medallions, and "Tuned In Turned On" by Alvin Robinson. (Funky Compilations, Soul) CD

A seminal album from Parliament – one that's very very different than the freaky fuzz of their Osmium debut – and which has the tight ensemble really coming down on the money, in the best funky 70s George Clinton mode! The record features a much more stripped down sound – nice and funky, with a blueprint of the bass-driven groove that would dominate the P-Funk sound of the 70s. Bootsy's on bass, and the group features Eddie Hazel, Bernie Worrell, and other likely suspects – all working with a news sort of sharpness compared to earlier P-Funk material – virtually the blueprint for everything else to come. Clinton, Hazel, and Worrell produced – and titles include the monster jammer "Up For The Down Stroke", plus other goodies like "The Goose", "Testify", "Presence Of A Brain", and "All Your Goodies Are Gone", as well as bonus tracks "Up For The Down Stroke" (alternate mix), "Testify" (alternate mix), and previously unreleased track "Singing Another Song". CD

A seminal album from Parliament – one that's very very different than the freaky fuzz of their Osmium debut – and which has the tight ensemble really coming down on the money, in the best funky 70s George Clinton mode! The record features a much more stripped down sound – nice and funky, with a blueprint of the bass-driven groove that would dominate the P-Funk sound of the 70s. Bootsy's on bass, and the group features Eddie Hazel, Bernie Worrell, and other likely suspects – all working with a news sort of sharpness compared to earlier P-Funk material – virtually the blueprint for everything else to come. Clinton, Hazel, and Worrell produced – and titles include the monster jammer "Up For The Down Stroke", plus other goodies like "The Goose", "Testify", "Presence Of A Brain", and "All Your Goodies Are Gone". CD

With selections by Boston, Commodores, Eddie Money, Meat Loaf, Gerry Rafferty, Peter Brown, Three Degrees, Joe Thomas, Michael Zager Band, Sylvester, Cissy Houston, Karen Young, and others. (Rock, Soul) LP, Vinyl record album

A killer batch of funky guitar work from the Miami scene of the 70s – very different than the later disco hits the city would be known for! Little Beaver is one of those players we'd put right up there with Shuggie Otis, O'Donell Levy, or Eddie Fisher (of "Third Cup" fame) – a player who was more underground, and worked in a blend of soul, jazz and funk – delivered superbly here over these spare backings that almost echo work at the time by Timmy Thomas! The lean groove brings plenty of focus on Beaver's guitar – and that hollow-body he's holding on the front cover has a warm and wonderful sound. Beaver also sings a bit too – and titles include "I Can Dig It Baby", "Money Vibrations", "Let The Good Times Roll", and "Party Down (parts 1 & 2)". CD