Funk my Soul

FMS stuff would like to wish you and your families season greetings.

Open your heart to the Christmas spirit and enjoy a funky New Year.

This is our Christmas “present” to you

Holiday compilation featuring funky yuletide tunes by the Godfather Of Soul. At his superstar peak in the 1960s and early ’70s, Brown tried to appeal to several constituencies on his many LPs, and the Christmas market was not neglected. Indeed, for a while, he was on a regular schedule: this 17 track compilation includes selections from seasonal albums cut by J.B. in 1966, 1968, and 1970. Includes ‘Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto’, ‘Christmas In Heaven’ and ‘Please Come Home For Christmas’.

This is a CD rip of the 1995 Polydor compilation.

Tracks
1. Go Power At Christmas Time 3:12
2. Let’s Unite The Whole World At Christmas 2:44
3. Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto 3:03
4. Merry Christmas Baby 3:56
5. Let’s Make Christmas Mean Something This Year 6:31
6. Soulful Christmas 3:09
7. The Christmas Song 2:44
8. Sweet Little Baby Boy 5:17
9. Christmas Is Love 6:02
10. Please Come Home For Christmas 3:24
11. Santa Claus Is Definitely Here To Stay 4:24
12. Tit For Tat (Ain’t No Taking Back) 3:07
13. Santa Claus, Santa Claus 4:04
14. Merry Christmas, I Love You 2:33
15. Signs Of Christmas 4:39
16. Christmas In Heaven 2:56
17. Hey America 3:56

Recorded at the height of Mr. Superbad’s reign, this high-octane, 17-song set is guaranteed to give Santa Claus a soul transfusion - and put a little extra kick into that mistletoe kiss. While JB spends a fair amount of time pouring his heart out on inspired renditions of favorites such as “Merry Christmas Baby” and “Please Come Home,” he and his always-stellar band really shine on a spate of originals that takes Christmas from an idealized holiday and makes it real. They do so in ways that are fun (”Go Power at Christmas Time”) or with a dose of social consciousness (”Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto”), but the mere fact that Brown makes it all work–and makes it funky in the process–is a joy to behold. –David Sprague

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God, I love this album. Like some of my fellow reviewers, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it at first, and didn’t play it too much for a time. However, on the second round, I got completely hooked. It has such a great blend of deep soul, as well as outright cheer, that it’s incredibly catchy. When I first started to “get” it, I was floored by the orchestration and musicality, and then, upon second glance, I was amazed by the messages James Brown puts across. Very eye-opening. Now, this is ALWAYS on the shuffler at my Christmas parties, and very often during summer picnics, too. It shouldn’t fall under any category - it’s completely playable year-round. I love it, love it, love it. Don’t know how to put it better!! (Danielle Bennignus) - Amazon Review.

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This compilation could be the perfect way of remembering one of the 20th century’s most charismatic performers.
IF you want to hear something DIFFERENT than the most familiar Christmas songs, then this ALBUM WILL amaze YOU.

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Sublime southern soul from one of the greats! James Carr is right up there with the best of the 60s,  Otis Redding, Arthur Conley, Joe Tex, and others but he never made it as big as them because of personal troubles and bad planning on the part of his label and management. Fortunately, his genius has been kept alive by record collectors everywhere  for whom this rare gem is a holy grail! The album features tunes that sum up the best of the south in the 60s  all sung by James with his unbelievably heartbreaking voice.

This is a @320 vinyl rip of the 2003 Kent reissue including covers (original Goldwax LP cost more than 100 $)

Tracks
A1  A Man Needs A Woman 2:38
A2  Stronger Than Love 2:26
A3  More Love 2:38
A4  You Didn’t Know It But You Had Me 1:55
A5  A Woman Is A Man’s Best Friend 3:14
A6  I’m A Fool For You 1:58
A7 A Loosing Game 2.00
A8  A Message To Young Lovers 2.40
B1  Life Turned Her That Way 2:21
B2 Gonna Send You Back To Georgia 2:13
B3  The Dark End of the Street 2.28
B4  I Sowed Love And Reaped A Heatache 2:25
B5  Let It Happen 2.34
B6  You Gotta Have Soul 1.46
B7  You Hurt So Good 1.57
B8  You’ve Got My Mind Messed Up 2.23

Much more obscure than his first album, ‘A Man Needs a Woman’, for my money, is every bit the equal of its predecessor. Not least, naturally, since it includes “The Dark End of the Street” and “You Got My Mind Messed Up” once more, two all-time legendary waxings that I’ll never tire off. But the LP’s original material isn’t far behind at all. “A Man Needs a Woman”, a sweet, country-soul tune written by O.B. McClinton, is another emotional tour de force that just spells out ‘DEEPER Soul’. “Stronger Than Love” picks up the pace considerably, a fine stomping groove featuring some nice high-pitched backing vocals, whereas the plaintive, minor keyed “More Love” is a thinly disguised ‘payback’ song aimed at Carr’s onetime girl. James is now expressing the virtues of his new lover, who’s got ‘more love in her little finger than [she] got in all of [her] heart.’ Ouch… The sentiment is continued on the more upbeat “You Didn’t Know It But You Had Me”, a fine beater, while Carr gets back in a lowdown pleading bag on the tender, slow “A Woman Is a Man’s Best Friend”, featuring that typical highly trebled Goldwax guitar and weeping horns.

The first side is completed with the frantic, sizzling “I’m a Fool for You”. A well-oiled, crunchy R&B-romp featuring soulful second vocals by Betty Harris - the track surely comes across as a full-fledged duet. The interaction between the two is electrifying, especially on the chorus. The flips opens on a decidedly moodier note, as Carr puts his spin on country singer Howard Harlan’s “Life Turned Her That Way”. Carr’s tormented soul is laid bare on top of an incessant, punishing groove, one smothered in purring Hammond organs and fits of brass, as he laments on the disposition of his woman. James’ rendition of Timmy Willis’ 1963 hit “Gonna Send You Back to Georgia” takes us right back to a run-down juke joint shakin’ it up somewhere down a dusty Mississippi road, and the very country-esque “I Sowed Love and Reaped a Heartache” could’ve stirred up just as much noise ‘at the other side of town’. A great, lazily rocking tune souled up by those fabulous pipes.

With the inclusion of “You Got My Mind Messed Up” and, especially, “The Dark End of the Street”, what you have is a perfect platter of brilliant Southern Soul.

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Buy the cd with extra tracks from Amazon or CD Universe. It would be a perfect Christmas present.

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Finally do not miss his other masterpiece “You’ve got my mind messed up” in our backs pages here.

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Strutt is a group of musicians all hailing from New Jersey. It numbers eight elements (six musicians and two vocalists) and was formed in 1973 by Carmen Cosentino who plays the guitar. As the note on the cover says: “Strutt was organized to present to the world a new creative individual sound - The New Jersey Sound”

This is a tight, competent set of funk from Strutt, the band seemed to vanish without a blip after this album’s title track, “Time Moves On,” went all the way to number one on the disco chart in 1976. Also includes “Said you didn’t love him” a wicked 70’s crossover monster with killer bridge in the middle, “Funky baby feet” and instrumentals full of organ swipes and horn blasts.

This is a @320 vinyl rip of the original Brunswick LP including covers

Tracks
A1 Time Moves On 6:01
A2 Said You Didn’t Love Him 3:15
A3 Front Row Romeo 4:21
A4 We’ve Come a Long Way Baby 4:22
A5 Funky Sign 3:50
B1 Front Row Romeo 4:21
B2 If Wishing Made It So 4:36
B3 Funky Baby Feet 3:44
B4 Said You Didn’t Love Her [instrumental] 3:15

This band was not the same as every other band out during this time period…it was better. But it was another of those bands that didn’t get the recognition it deserved.
It is getting a lot of play overseas now, because it is worth listening to.
Even if you don’t enjoy every song, I promise you will find at least one that you will continue to play over and over and over again.
When disco was booming in the mid 70s there was a transition between european disco and funky soul. This is undisputibly the latter category. If you like B. T. Express, Ohio Players, Cold Blood, Tower Of Power, and the like, you will probably like this group for what it is.
“Time Moves On” I heard in Los Angeles during the time, and it was a hit.
Extremely brass and funky, with versatile break.

Formed in New Jersey, Strutt was a disco-funk band signed briefly to the Brunswick label. Their lineup included guitarist Carmen Cosentino, keyboardist Frank Portolano, woodwind player Jim Mecke, trombonist Joe Escobar, bassist Edward Walker, and drummer Roger Zumbo. With pianist/producer Benny Clark at the helm, Strutt recorded a full-length LP, Time Moves On, in 1975. “Funky Sign” garnered some airplay in dance clubs, as did the title track and its B-side “Front Row Romeo.” However, nothing further was heard from the group.

This album is one of these little masterpieces out on the fabulous Brunswick Record label.

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Buy the CD (import Japan issue) for 39,98 $ from Amazon and the vinyl for  25 to 50$ from Groove Collector.

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Sidney Joe Qualls was a southern-born soul singer who was heavily influenced by Al Green. Although his sound did capitalise on the success of the Reverend, he did have a quality that was all of his own. He released a couple of LP’s that are heavily sought after gems, one released at the back end of the 70s on 20th Century featuring ‘I don’t do this’. This is his debut on Dakar Records which bathes unashamedly in all that is so rich about the early 70s sound. A classic.

This is a @320 vinyl rip of the original Dakar LP including covers

Tracks
A1 I Enjoy Loving You 6:04
A2 Shut Your Mouth 3:15
A3 I’m Being Held Hostage 4:05
A4 Where The Lilies Grow 3:53
A5 Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love 3:30
B1 Run To Me 3:12
B2 If You Don’t Know Me By Now 3:28
B3 Please Help Me 3:20
B4 The Next Time I Fall In Love 4:00
B5 How Can You Say Goodbye 2:40

Review by Trakbuv

Research indicates that Mr Sidney Joe Qualls (often spelt Sydney) was raised in the small town of Jacknash in Arkansas where he turned professional after leaving high school with a voice enriched by the joys of testifying to the Lord. In itself, this would appear to be a relatively traditional education for most soul greats. But it is the small town of Jacknash that is so curious. For this has been cited as the birthplace of the Reverend Al Green, although most biographies reference Forrest City. I have been unable to confirm if Jacknash is a small satellite town of Forrest City, but if Misters Qualls and Green did grow up within throwing distance of one another, that would be quite significant. For Sidney’s primary influence is undeniably the great Al Green. Indeed, after his meeting with Otis Leavil prior to moving to Chicago and signing for Dakar Records, Otis believed he had welcomed the ‘new Al Green’ to the fold.

Originally set up by Carl Davis while still under contract to Brunswick Records, Dakar was coming to the end of its near decade of soul decadence. However, Carl still had a lot of spirit left in him which he duly graced this record with. Several singles were released from this delicious morsel : the tremendous “How can you say goodbye” – an awesome reminder of how Al Green could tear up those midtempo ditties with the utmost ease; the beautifully arranged, tunefully complex “Where the lilies grow”; and the vibrant “Run to me” – a thumping goodie from one of my favourites, Sam Dees. Interestingly, there is a heavy influence of Sam Dees in his singing approach, especially if you are familiar with Sam’s version. The influence is even more apparent on my favourite track of the platter, the crippling “I’m being held hostage”. One listen to this and you’ll willingly sell your house to fund the ransom. And again the Sam Dees are subtly present on my other favourite, “The next time I fall in love” - a huge hit with the rare groove circuit for all the reasons that make this genre those addictive. Magical.

His most powerful ‘Al Green’ performance is probably the sublime “Can’t get enough of your love”, complete with those bumping Hi Records skins and a creative girl chorus. There are a couple of tasty bluesy funk numbers in the title track and “Shut you mouth”, a very nice, light pop number in the shape of “Please help me”, and the sole ballad, a cover of “If you don’t know me by now” - which I feel only serves to highlight his weaknesses, and none of his strengths. As an album, this is an exceptionally fine tenderiser for the soul with too many high points to fit these pages. As an artist, I feel he had more to offer than being another Al Green clone that, when he hints at those Sam Dees inflections (also check out his glorious ‘I Don’t do this’ favourite), really captures a unique timbre that is something special indeed.

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Little Anthony and the Imperials had a string of r’n'b style hits on the End label in the late 50s. After several years absence, they resurfaced, and with the writing/producing talents of Teddy Randazzo, Anthony Gourdine and his Imperials created some of the most memorable, superbly crafted pop tunes of the rock era, several of which have become standards. “Goin’ Out Of My Head”, “Hurt So Bad” and “I Miss You So” represent some of the most polished landmark tunes to come out of the mid-60s.

By the time the listener gets to ‘Reflections”, a soulful tour de force takes shape. The songs, the orchestrations, the singers take you to Shangri la. All of the music is in STEREO too. This is some of the most beautiful music ever to come out of the 60’s. Teddy Randazzo made this world a much better place.

This is a @320 vinyl rip of the original Veep LP including covers

Tracks
A1. Don’t Tie Me Down 2.49
A2. My Love Is a Rainbow 2.40
A3. If I Remember to Forget 2.46
A4. Keep It Up 3.02
A5. Hold on to Someone 2.13
A6. Yesterday Has Gone 2.55
B1. Trick or Treat 2.32
B2. Lost in Love 3.03
B3. In the Mirrors of Your Mind 2.46
B4. I Love You 2.22
B5. Better off Without You 3.08
B6. Thousand Miles Away 2.32

Little Anthony & the Imperials were ten years into their history when they recorded this elegant, slightly trippy pop-soul classic under the guidance of writer/producer Teddy Randazzo, who co-authored all but one of the 12 songs here and did for this quartet more or less what Jimmy Webb did for The 5th Dimension during the same period. There’s nothing really psychedelic about the music here, despite its coming out in 1967 — rather, it’s a cheerful mixture of lyrical soul sounds and sunshine pop, with an understated elegance and gorgeous harmonies (and tastefully restrained horn and string parts, with the occasional flute) supporting the impassioned lead vocals by Little Anthony. The resulting album is one of the most beguilingly upbeat soul records of its period, a match and then some for anything coming out of Motown for accessibility. What’s more, it hasn’t lost an iota of appeal across the ensuing four decades — even the most straightforward song here, “Hold on to Someone,” which could have come from any part of their history, still sounds fresh, and the rest exudes a warm, lingering glow reflective of its era. Among the rest, “Yesterday Has Gone” is almost a soul analog to Spanky & Our Gang’s “Sunday Will Never Be the Same,” while “Trick or Treat”and “Lost in Love” call to mind The 5th Dimension doing just about anything well. It’s worth owning any way you can get it, on LP or CD.

Biography and Discography here

Buy their albums from ebay or amazon

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