Funk

Soul Travellin' takes you on a musical journey of epic proportions, with Gary Byrd providing some early rap lyrics backed by the funkiness of The Jimmy Castor Bunch. Never had a reissue on a 45 until now so pick up a copy now and enjoy the funky horns of the Gary Byrd Experience!

While clearly talented on the mic, Phillip Wright was much more successful as a producer and songwriter (chiefly for his sister Betty Wright) than he was a solo artist. His sole single from 1976 first enjoyed fresh exposure 10 years ago on Kenny Dope's edit label Kay-Dee but has now returned complete with an instrumental version and a never-before-released extended version. Whichever one you drop, reactions are guaranteed: straight up horn led funk with just a sprinkling of post production disco magic, fans of Cymande or Average White Band will be all over this.

Taken from his debut album, released in 1976, Italian composer legend Presti's rawest funk roots are explored and celebrated to great effect right here. "Funky Bump" lives up to its name beautifully with very neat organ stabs and a relentless groove that's not dissimilar to Grace Jones' "Pull Up To The Bumper". Looking for a much dreamier, dewy eyed jam? Flip for the lavish whirls and swirls of "C. So Buenos Aires"... It couldn't be more 1976 (or Italian) if it tried.

Weston's curatorial crusade continues as he unearths more criminally overlooked/under-pressed rarities from the golden ages; "Losing You" comes from Courtial and Errol Knowles outstanding 1976 soul jazz album. The most straight up soul joint from the album, it's an instant sweat-fest with real guts behind both the vocals and instrumentation. Flip for the jazz funk whirlwind that is "Getting Down". Taken from their eponymous, once-super rare ($1500 per copy rare) album (also released in 76), it's an instrumental hurricane led by strings, horns and bombastically swung drums. Powerful. DJ Support from Snowboy,Sadar Bahar,Dom Servini,Faze Action,Pete Jelly Jazz,Flea Market Funk,ParisDJs.com, Marc Hype,Nicola Conte, Volcov and more

The subject of Music From Memory’s latest compilation release is the elusive and mysterious Philadelphian musician Napoleon Cherry (aka Cool Waters). Oddball funk biz TIP! In the late 80’s and early 90’s Cherry privately released two LP’s and an EP which form the basis of this retrospective, alongside an unreleased cut ‘When You Had The Chance’ which was recently released on 12” in collaboration with US label PPU.Recorded with a very DIY aesthetic and a strong presence of gospel and RnB, Cherry’s unique take on soul and funk music, reflect a rawness that stands in contrast to the slick, over-produced soul of that era. With appearances by jazz musicians such as the late celebrated saxophonist Byard Lancaster, who coincidentally played with MFM’s previous compilation subject Vito Ricci, Napoleon’s music seems to defy any clear categorisation.From cocktail jazz funk to intergalactic synth workouts to melancholy bedroom soul, Napoleon’s use of synths and drum computers, though perhaps unknowingly, also seem to strongly echo elements of early house music.

The second half of previously unreleased Aurra recordings produced by Slave-founding member Steve Washington. The Album was recorded in 1983/84 just after the Salsoul years with his wife Sheila who had just finished writing and touring with The Brides Of Funkenstein. Plans were made for it’s release on Quincy Jones’ newly formed Qwest Records, but legal troubles complicated it’s release. No one was quite sure what happened to the master tapes, not even Steve himself. Body Rock represents the final chapter in the Aurra catalog. This is Electronic Funk and R&B at it’s finest, recorded during a pivotal year in Modern Funk music. Post-Disco, right at the beginning of Hip-Hop’s finest hour when Boogie and Electro music was making the scene in New York. Making this an important milestone in music and documenting the inception of the drum machine. The grooves smoke, as Washington delivers the Dayton Funk style. Mean and lean basslines, irresistible hooks & towering vocal riffs with crisp, tight dance rhythms.- Produced by Steve Washington (Slave, Civil Attack, George Clinton)- Featuring vocals by Sheila Brody (Brides Of Funkenstein, Public Enemy) & Mark Stevens (Taka Boom, Chaka Khan)- Liner notes by Dam-Funk- Full Analog production from the original 2”” tapes recorded in 1984