STRICTLY FORTY-FIVES

04.06.09
Author: DJ D-Mac

A heavy stack of funky soul and Latin jams, all on 7 inchers.

1.  Big Band Katowice - Mardox [Muza] Uptempo big band funk cover, circa 1977, of the Meters' classic 'Cissy Strut' with songwriting originally and inexplicably credited to Otis Redding. Released on 45 as a supplement to the Polish Funk compilation by the Soul Service DJ Team.

2.  Jimi Tenor & Kabu Kabu - Mystery Spot [Sakho Records] Excellent Afro-funk styled cut from Jimi Tenor and Kabu Kabu. The sound is very authentic and a real departure from Tenor's electronica and big-band funk explorations.

3.  Davy Jones & the Voodoo Funk Machine - Sookie Sookie [Philips (France)] Insanely great funky soul version of the Don Covay classic with a mod-soul/boogaloo feel and a killer conga breakdown. Out of France circa 1968.

4.  Andre Williams & His Orchestra - Hard Hustling [Avin Records] Nicely grooving instrumental boogaloo soul with a flute lead to cool things out.

5.  S.O.U.L. - The Joneses (Parts 1 & 2) [Musicor Records] 1974 uptempo funky soul from the legendary S.O.U.L. ["Sounds of Unity and Love"]

6.  Vern Blair Debate - Ooh-Ah-Ee [Funk 45 (UK)] Reissue of two super-rare mid-70s instrumental funk cuts from Lubbock, TX. Originally on a small country label with no distribution, these dancefloor heaters went largely unheard for 30 years. Thanks, Jazzman Gerald!

7.  The U.B.'s - Synthetic Substitution [First Cut Records] Modern-day instrumental cover of Melvin Bliss' break-heavy classic.

8.  The Milton Chambers Experience - Journey to Planet Pluto [Cardboard City Records] Booming echoed drums on this lumbering, head-nodding Hammond instrumental cut from this (relatively) new Australian combo.

9.  Dept of Edu - Cuban Studies b/w Fuel Efficiency [Pelican Industries] Grooving Cuban funk-rock on the A-side and a breaks-heavy cut from an educational record on the B-side. Both cuts get the dancefloor-ready re-edit treatment from Florida-based producers, Dept of Edu. On their own Pelican Industries label.

10.  Greenwood Rhythm Coalition - Salsa Verde b/w Pachanga Pistola [Names You Can Trust] With a little help from Dap Kings keyboardist Victor Axelrod, Brooklyn boys Greenwood Rhythm Coalition come correct yet again on this double-sided Latin party starter.