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.
Soul Heart Transplant & Drugs Ain't Cool
Ebony Rhythm Band
Now -Again Records
Another great reissue on Now-Again and one with distinctive style, whilst 'Soul Heart Transplant' has its mark for being a great tune and if anyone were to say it was by Mickey and The Soul Generation I would think none the wiser, which perhaps does not make it so distinctive. But turn it over and you are slapped by a psychadelic hippy funk, avante garde, rock tinged, amazing piece of music. It absolutely works you into frenzy on psycho organ and frantic drum breaks and rolls with an incredibly well fitted tangent of rock guitar but remains super hard and funky. This is a great combination of influenced minds that set out to make music with the most rawness possible, both sides were made up almost on the spot and recorded on the same day in 1969.
Soul singer Fontella Bass made a definite mark during the sixties soul circuit, releasing classics like 'Don't mess up a good thing' and 'Rescue me'. recognised classics. This tune however has a tinge of something funky for us but still very soulful. This was a happy purchase and a great introduction to another soul queen.
B/W 'Talking About Freedom'. A very slow soul tune
This is a funk tune that blows our minds. A strong female vocal track, upbeat and hornaliscious. This seems to be a tight outfit of musical ladies and gents and one of our favourites at present, vocally superb and incredibly funky. We also found the original version by Charlie Hodges, so hard to decide which is the preference. Both corking funk tracks. Only comes up for sale every now and again.
A superbly laid instrumental that definately compliments soul and sunshine. The flip 'What can I Do' increases the compliment of soul on the record, very slow and a bit of turn for the label, considering the quality of previous hard funk.
The latest outing from the Soul Investigators and guest appearance from soul legend, vocalist 'Herb johnson'. Some full on punchy drum breaks with frenzy horns and organ give over the perfect backing for those 'sock it to em' vocals. Yep! A modern day masterpiece. 'I Know' is a previously unreleased track from Herb, back in 1966 and aside from its fast opening break it takes the very 'sunshine soul' feel. We can see this one going fast so be quick on the purchase.
