quick audio picks: 123456
It's been said before, but it bears repeating: there's no way to really give a good description of these Cult Cargo comps in blurb form. To really appreciate these lovingly researched, carefully compiled little treasure troves, you gotta get it home, crack...
expand review open that (EXTENSIVE) booklet full of liner notes and rare pics, and immerse yourself in the experience. With that out of the way, here's the cut and dry on this new one from Lab faves, the Numero Group: "The second in our series of explorations of the pan-American funk experience, Cult Cargo: Grand Bahama Goombay is a deep overview of funky Nassau's redheaded sister city, Freeport, GBI. From 1969-1976, Frank Penn's GBI studio and label cranked out a dozen LPs and twice as many singles, all infected with the Miami sounds drifting in over the 100 mile strait. The catalog is a fruity blend of rake and scrape, bush, junkanoo, calypso, reggae, and of course, goombay, with a twist of American soul." If that kinda thing doesn't get your nerdus motor revving, you're on the wrong site. For audio confirmation, check Sylvia Hall's office favorite "Don't Touch That Thing(1)," Jay Mitchell's "I Am The Man For You Baby(2)," Ozzie Hall's version of Brubeck's "Take Five(3)," Frank Penn's "Gimme Some Skin(4)" or the outstanding pair of tunes from the Mustangs, "Watcha Gonna Do 'Bout It(5)" and "The Time For Loving Is Now(6)." 16 tracks; 76 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
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If you thought the story of the Deep City label ended with the last Eccentric Soul collection... think again! The fine folks of the Numero Group have comped up another 20 rare Miami funk and soul sides for your enjoyment, including stuff...
expand review like The Rollers' previously 45-only "Knockin' At The Wrong Door(1)" (a sweet, subtle soul bite on the J5's "Want You Back") and an early pair from the man who would become Blowfly, Clarence Reid ("No Way Out(2)" and "Don't Be A Fool"). There's some sharp funk from Snoopy Dean on "Your Love Won't Let Me Leave You(3)," the awesomely named Nasty Dog Catchers with "Nasty Dog, Part 2(4)" and Betty Wright still defending the fort against clean up women on the gunshot and funeral organ jam "Mr. Lucky(5)." For the weepers, we got Helene Smith's swaying "True Love Don't Grow On Trees(6)" and Lynn Williams' "Don't Be Surprised(7)," with lines like "Don't be surprised if you see me layin' on the railroad tracks / Don't be surprised if I let a train run up and down my back." Comes with a thick booklet featuring the usual in-depth Numero tales, reference notes, rare pics and label scans. 20 tracks; 56 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 12345
Returning to the lost soul city of Columbus, Ohio, the Numero Group has unearthed another piece of the tale they started to tell with their Capsoul Label collection. This time it's Capsoul's tiny crosstown rival, Prix, receiving the focus, as this CD...
expand review collects up a good portion of their rather limited output (less than a dozen singles released between 1969-1973!) and many previously unreleased tunes. Numero's liner notes always make these collections feel more like the culmination of a great mystery novel than a treasure trove of lost funk gems. You'll have to read for yourself to believe the former, but to hear the latter, check Eddie Ray's "Wait A Minute(1)," Joe King's "You're My Everything(2)," Mitch Mitchell & Gene King's "Never Walk Out On You(3)," Marion Black's "Listen Black Brother(4)" or the Royal Esquires' "Ain't Gonna Run(5)." 19 tracks; 53 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Another insanely obscure genre/scene, another nicely executed collection from the Numero Group. For those who don't know, Numero is the label behind the recent Wayfaring Strangers and Big Mack comps, which profiled female folkies from the canyons of Cali and a fledgling...
expand review 60s soul label from Detroit, respectively. This time, they've unearthed a whole heap of rare… gospel funk. That's right, gospel funk – "gospel by stealth," as they put it in the liner notes – was an almost non-existent sub-genre, though the tracks included here span from 1968 to 1980. Jesus-loving or not, this shit is neat and damn fonky and ranges from swirling Motown sounds to straight up hard funk. Choice cuts include 5 Spiritual Tones' "Bad Situation(1)" – an all-too-brief dissertation on why "people don't want to serve the Lord," with a plodding bassline – as well as the Mighty Voices of Reason's swelling "I Thank The Lord(2)" and the soulful blues guitar on the Gospel Comforters' "Jesus Will Help Me(3)." The organ-driver garage sound of the Universal Jubileers' "Childhood Days(4)" might be the best track here, but it's a close call with the wah-wah and bongos of LaVice & Co.'s "Thoughs Were The Days(5)." Everything here has been remastered from original sources, and it all sounds pretty damn good considering. This is also, so far as we know, the first Numero release to be made available on vinyl, and the 2LP edition comes in a deluxe heavy stock double LP sleeve with clean, crisp design. 18 songs; 58 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 123456
In the early 70s, with the Jackson 5 blowing up, it seems lots of kids (or, more likely, parents) thought they could be the next MJ. From the J5's home state of Indiana to DC to Tampa to Chicago to LA, hordes...
expand review of pre-teen soul and pop acts appeared, and Numero's done the digging to uncover the best. The lyrical themes are exactly what you'd expect - Patrizia & Jimmy urge 'rents to "Trust Your Child(1)," while Maryland's Promise admits they're "Not Ready For Love(2)" - the playing is far from juvenile. Just check the shuffling drums and strong vibes of 3 Simmons' "You Are My Dream(3)" or the rich, full-bodied funk on Cindy & The Playmates' "Now That School Is Through(4)." Also really feeling Atons' "Yellow Ribbon(5)" and the riotous instrumental "2009 Cherry Soul Sound(6)" from Jr. & His Soulettes. Detailed liner notes and tons of pictures as always. 18 tracks total. -Larri Byrd
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Numero Group is establishing itself as the most interesting and thorough compilation label in the United States, slowly releasing top quality music from genres that are more or less completely untouched by the other heavies in the game. Sure, they have their...
expand review series microcosm funk label compilations, but they've also brought us such diverse (and delicious) pieces as the Antenna album, Yellow Pills, and funk from Belize. This one starts their journey into the vast land of private press folk albums (read: ultra raer and so in demand right now), spearheaded by the hippie goddess women that we shall heretofore refer to as Ladies From The Canyon. Playing this cd is a lot like putting on a new and kinda wild jacket that you aren't sure you can pull off. Maybe a little self-conscious at first, but once you've decided you can pull it off and you've stopped giving a shit, the thing feels perfect. Check out selections like Shira Small's "Eternal Life(1)," Caroline Peyton's absorbing vocals on "Engram(2)," Marj Snyder's "Rain(3)," the windsong of Collie Ryan's "Cricket(4)" and Barbara Sipple's "Song For Life(5)." All 14 selections come from records that were pressed in absolutely miniscule numbers, and Numero does us the favor of including a great booklet with a double page spread on each artist (original album scans included). If you've got a soft spot for softies and sweet music, you should check this out. -the mgmnt
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