WHAT IT IS! Funky Soul and Rare Grooves (from the Vaults of Atlantic & WB Records) The Funktual Video Series ~Part One

DISK ONE - 27 Tracks

1. Spreadin' Honey - The Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band
2. Soul Finger - Bar-Kays
3. The Shadow of Your Smile - Brother Jack McDuff
4. Gangster of Love (Parts I & II) - Jimmy Norman
5. The Memphis Train - Rufus Thomas
6. Get Out of My Life Woman - Grassella Oliphant
7. Live Right Now - Eddie Harris
8. Pig Snoots, Part I - Natural Bridge Bunch
9. Soul Sound System - The Freedom Sounds featuring Wayne Henderson
10. Snatching It Back - Clarence Carter
11. Stoned Soul - Artie Christopher
12. Getting The Corners - The T.S.U. Tornadoes
13. Sexy Coffee Pot - Tony Alvon & The Belairs
14. Don't Come Around Here Anymore - Mark Putney
15. Keep On Dancing - The Commodores
16. Right On Brother, Part I - The Southshore Commission
17. Pop, Popcorn Children - Eldridge Holmes
18. It's Your Thing - Cold Grits
19. It's All In Your Mind - Soul Angels
20. Funky John - Johnny Cameron & The Camerons
21. Help Me Make Up My Mind - Joyce Jones
22. Rock Me Baby - Lou Johnson
23. Sing A Simple Song - The Noble Knights
24. Do You Dig It - Titus Turner
25. Funky Canyon - Phil Moore
26. Jan Jan - The Fabulous Counts
27. Tampin - The Rhine Oaks

Here are some personal notes that I have made while discovering and enjoying this incredible Box Set 4-CD Collection.

• Every disc has a MINIMUM of 21 Songs on it, 91 joints total. I'm freaking out and I already own it. You should have that rumble in your aching stomach for this funk right here. 91 funky songs you never heard before? Buggin!

• Almost every song is a Rarity so you don't have to worry about paying for tracks you already own. I have a massive collection but only had less than 10 of these. I'll take 80 NEW songs anytime, no problem. Name your price, I am so totally down. Gimme my stanky funk, I need it!

• This ain't your Radio-Styled slick and polished Funk oh hell no! This is that 'Gritty, Cracks in the Pavement, Gutbucket Funk' that has gone unsung until now. Put on your emergency boots 'cause we be delvin' knee-deep in this good funkay thang right here, you dig?

• Producers and DJs have a treasure trove for loops, dubs, Mash-Ups and of course.....future samples! When you hear what I am about to play you will lose yo funkin' mind! These are the oldies we would have had if all things were equal back then.

• This collection spans from 1967 to '77! This means you will hear the transformation of the genre and it's many interpretations from two generations of musicians from all over the globe.

1. Spreadin' Honey bridges the jazz and soul divide. The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band were discovered at the Haunted House, an L.A. nightclub which helped them land a gig as Bill Cosby's backup band. This was recorded three years before they would lay down "Express Yourself", a/k/a their signature track and biggest hit / contribution to the funk genre. It is 114 bpm and is an instrumental joint. (FUNK '67)

2. Soul Finger is actually quite a popular song the world over. It went to #17 on the Pop charts back in '67 and the b-side "Knucklehead" is also a well-known jam. This is also an instrumental track with the exception of some kids shouting "Soul Finger!" in the background and it clocks in at 117 bpm. Sadly, most of the Bar-Kay's were killed in the same plane crash that took the life of Otis Redding on 12/10/67. (FUNK '67)

3. The Shadow of Your Smile is a track from Brother Jack McDuff who was the master Hammond B-3 organ player of his day. This cover track however features Danny Turner on the flute and is a mellow groove y'all. (JAZZ '67)

4. Gangster of Love by Jimmy Norman is a cover of Johnny 'Guitar' Watson's classic joint. It is one the highlights of this collection, no doubt. It has great lyrics and his delivery is sweeeet. A lowdown and pimpin' track that clocks in at just 95 bpms! (Funky SOUL '68)

5. The Memphis Train has that great choo-choo intro that you just gotta have! The song is sooo tasty at 122 bpms from Memphis legend Rufus Thomas who we all know from "Walking The Dog", "The Funky Chicken", The Push and Pull" & "The Funky Penguin". He is also the father of soul singer Carla Thomas. (Funky SOUL '68)

6. Get Out Of My Life Woman is a track sample junkies are very very familiar with. Both "Ya Ya" man Lee Dorsey and The Mad Lads of Detroit's have a version that is connected to Hip-Hop's very core. The drumbreak's to open each track are classic breakbeats. The track featured here is a languid and controlled instrumental by drummer Grassella Oliphant. (JAZZY Cover '68)

7. Live Right Now is from Eddie Harris' 5th album for Atlantic Records and it's got that groove cat jazz thang going on. The jazz nuts will die over it. Essential sh!t people. 115 beats per minute on this scatty joint. (JAZZ '68)

8. Pig Snoots Pt. 1 is a great song that even the box set creators couldn't find much history on. There is little to nothing known about the artist Natural Bridge Bunch but one I thing I do know is that this is one of my new favorites and it's 134 bpms. (FUNKY Novelty '68)

9. Soul Sound System is okay but it just runs a little too long for my tastes repeating over and over. Not bad, but not great either, The Freedom Saints featuring trombonist Wayne Henderson are the guilty party here at 116 bpms. (FUNK '68)

10. Snatching It Back is by the funkmaster Clarence Carter who you newbies know from Strokin'. This blind, self-taught guitar player is famous for classics like Slip Away, Patches and Too Weak To Fight which all went Gold and made the Top Five. This soul jam is clocked in at 105 bpms. (Funky SOUL '69)

Peace for now and keep spreading that Funktual Revolution! The future of Hip-Hop may depend on it. Post a link or Digg it, I don't care just spread this funky love around to someone you care about!

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