Superfunk, Vol. 2

Overview

BGP scoured far and deep for the 20 funk rarities (three previously unissued), spanning the mid-'60s to the late '70s, that comprise this CD. None of these artists made a notable splash as funk or soul artists, although a few -- Pee Wee Crayton, Preston Epps, Johnny Otis, and Joe Houston -- had early R&B/blues
ock hits in the 1950s and are represented by obscure and highly atypical ventures into funk. Given how many rarity compilations in all genres aren't as musically exciting as they are rare, it's a nice surprise to find much excellence on this anthology, which can be heartily dug by most rock listeners, not just funk devotees. If nothing else, it's a testament to just how wide and serious James Brown's influence was during this period. Billy Garner's "Brand New Girl," Granby Street Development's "Jelly Roll" (with the incredibly lewd female spoken interjection "that cat looks so good to me/he can have his jelly roll free!"), and Jackie Harris' "Do It, Do It" all kick up a funk fuss, much like what Brown and the J.B.'s did during their prime, and Freddy Wilson's "Promised Land" is one of the most accurate vocal imitations of Brown you'll find. Still, the grooves are so intense and compelling that you don't really mind that these tracks are quite derivative of the soul/funk godfather. Although many of the cuts are instrumental, also on hand are some fair female vocal numbers by the likes of Brenda George, Thelma Jones, and Irene Reid, though it are the wordless numbers that generate the most heat. For some variation, there are some wah-wah, fuzz and phasing effects in Sidney Pinchback's "Soul Strokes" that show the influence of psychedelia, while Willard Burton's "Warm the Pot ('Til It's Good and Hot)" has the sort of more jagged rhythms and warped textures that came into vogue with Stevie Wonder and Rufus. Joe Houston, known for his blues/R&B playing, blows as athletically as anyone in the J.B.s' horn section on "Mr. Big H," which bears a 1977 date but sounds much more like a 1969-1970 recording. It's a very cool collection that should be at the top of the list for those who've exhausted the major funk icons and are looking for undiscovered nuggets.

Product Details

Release Date:	07/28/2008
Label:	DARK PEAK PRODUCTIONS
UPC:	0029667513715
Rank:	64311

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Billy Garner   Primary Artist
Cornell Dupree   Primary Artist
Brenda George   Primary Artist
Pieces of Peace   Primary Artist
Sidney Pinchback   Primary Artist
The Top Cats   Primary Artist
Johnny Otis   Primary Artist
Ruth Davis   Primary Artist
The Exciters   Primary Artist
Harold Battiste, Jr.   Primary Artist
The Johnny Otis Show   Primary Artist
Irene Reid   Primary Artist
Thelma Jones   Primary Artist
Preston Epps   Primary Artist
Pee Wee Crayton   Primary Artist
Robert Lowe   Primary Artist
Joe Houston   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Dave Hamilton   Composer
Joe Houston   Performer
Willie Webb   Composer
Jimmy Lewis   Composer
Irene Reid   Performer
Sidney Pinchback   Performer
The Johnny Otis Show   Performer
Curt Sletton   Composer
Cornell Dupree   Performer
John Zachary   Composer
Billy Garner   Composer
Melvin Lastie   Composer
Harold Battiste, Jr.   Composer
Fran Robins   Composer
Steve Elson   Composer
Shuggie Otis   Composer
Doug Winty   Composer
Ruth Davis   Performer
Bobby Lance   Composer
Johnny Otis   Composer,Performer
Gil Evans   Composer
Miles Grayson   Composer
Bernard Reed   Composer
Al Barthlow   Composer
Preston Epps   Performer
Eric Wilson   Composer
Pee Wee Crayton   Performer
M. Davis   Composer
Robert Lowe   Performer,Composer
Delaney Bramlett   Composer
Dean Rudland   Liner Notes
Mac Davis   Composer
Clifford Solomon   Composer
Thelma Jones   Performer