With influences by: Sharon Jones, Lee Fields, The Mohawks, The Dap-Kings, Bobby Byrd, Fontella Bass, The Beginning of the End, Daptone, Jazzman, Funk 45, Keb Darge, Shadow, Madame Jo-Jos, Timmion, Tim Buckley, Stevie Wonder, BGP, Soulfire, K7, Roy Ayers, Grand Slam Magazine, Jazz Cafe, London, Texas.
Sugar's Boogaloo
Sugarman 3
Imports
Contemporary funk artists are hard to find and we are really glad to have found Sugarman 3. Classic funk.
as is says on the box, 'Super Breaks'. Covers some of my favourites,
'Smokey Joe's La la', 'eva', 'Different Strokes', 'Tramp' and the rest.
Ooo! Almighty album.
A simple album, not too complicated and very chilled, in fact on closer inspection of the bands photo images on the sleeve, you get the idea they are a little hippy, avant garde group, but this is not the case. This is definitely one of those 3am albums where you arrive in from a nights clubbing, take to the sofa and relax however you feel necessary. A lush combination of Violins, Viola, Cello, harp, Guitars on effect and mellow little drum patterns (to mention a few) and blended together for a very delicate, residual musical experience. Nestle down by its quiet side and you will appreciate it, listen to it at the wrong time and you may say it?s boring. I like it, as I do most releases on Ninja Tunes but if there was one element I?d say was missing and yes probably due to the popularity of this instrument today (and my own selfish want), where?s the Double Bass? Maybe it wouldn?t be the same with it. There are a couple of albums by the band and single releases if a cheaper way of introduction is necessary or try www.ninjatune.net.
I picked this up from a guy who comes to my local town for a small and I mean small, record fair. A re-issue on Soul Brother Records and originally recorded in the US in 1973 by a combination of Japanese and American jazz musicians led by, Teruo Nakamura. This was a bit of a gamble purchase that turned out to be a good one. I love it! A quality jazz fusion album with a late night feel. Although it's not, I wouldn't be surprised to see the original on the MPS label, it's of that ilk, there are some nice classical jazz aspects to the instruments played, over quite a deep and spacey background. However, there is an odd one out but a good one. A nice little funky number at the start of the B-side. One of our Sunday backgammon favourites.
Down and dirty New Orleans funk from Joseph Henry and The Mighty Imperials. Real impressive grooves from a 4 band members aged only 16 when this was made.
The popular and well-known funk track 'The Champ', has also side stepped into the Hip Hop genre by becoming a B-Boy funky classic. You'll know it when you hear it, I'd say it's probably been cut up, sampled and well covered. There are some real corkers on the album and a couple of duffers to level it out. The review on the back tells you, you are holding a gem and will be one of the most played albums in your collection. Not for me. Although I am sparked by the funky and pacey 'Dr Jekyll and Hyde Park' and the deep groove of 'Landscape'. I am put off by the cover of Redding's, 'Sweet Soul Music', I just don't get it, it doesn't fit, it doesn't blend with the style the main bulk of the album has which is nice big beat funky feel, although some tracks do get a bit, well, there o.k. I'm not rating it so highly as Uncle Henry but I know it's going to grow on me, I am a sucker for the Hammond and Morris Hawk plays his, one of a kind Organ like it has raw sound on tap.
