BACK TO FUNK

And after all that reggae talk, it's time to go back to the basis: funk!
There are a lot of new gems out there that are very worthwile picking up from your local recordstore. Here are some highlights from the flood of 7"s:

Brownout
Homenage/Laredo 77
Freestyle Records

Named one of Austin, Texas' 'Best Live Acts' by the Austin Chronicle, Brownout! performs the nastiest latin funk music today. This band of "party rocking legends" was resurrected from the same tequila soaked border town explosion that originated the highly acclaimed latin powerhouse Grupo Fantasma. Brownout! is an 8 piece ensemble complete with 2 guitars, bass, no nonsense percussion, and "2005's Best Horn Section" at the Austin Music Awards. Throwback but not copycat retro, their music is timeless and honest, keeping the spirit of 70s afro-latin and funk music alive while honoring their South Texas roots.

Listen to Homenage here
Listen to Laredo 77 here

Reverend Cleatus & The Soul Saviours
The slip/ white stiletto
Freestyle Records

Amassing a respectable amount of sweaty, rabble rousing gigs in every major & minor funk club since 2003, it’s hard to believe this is only the bands 2nd outing on vinyl. Heavy on the grit, the Soul Saviours lay down some puritanical breaks, with healthy servings of Hammond, thundering bass and sharp horns. Amen to that!

Listen to The slip here
Listen to White stiletto here

Ernie Hawks & the Soul IG's
Soulfull trip pt 1 / Soulfull trip pt2
Timmion Records

A totally massive number that's filled with snapping drum breaks, cool bongo bits, heavy funky flute, and some great Meters-esque organ lines! The tune's got a dark, sinister feel -- and was produced to perfection by Didier, with a 70s-styled sound that easily puts it at the top of the stacks! Essential -- and a record to match most of your best bits from years back!

Listen to Soulfull Trip pt 1 here

Funky Nassau
Bahama soul stew/look what you can get
Tramp Records

In the 1960's and early 1970's Henry Stone started to record some local Miami talent. He was strongly influenced musically by James Brown at that time. This you can hear when you listen to these two sides. "Funky Nassau" consists of 4 members (Albury, Orlando, Hepburn, Tayler). the horns came from the famous marching 100 of FAMU who played on most of the deep city and TK records in the early days. The A-side is a latin-funk monster of the highest order, while the B-side is midtempo, soulful vocal funk at its best. One of the finest funk 45s that ever came out of Miami, Florida.

Listen to Bahama soul stew here
Listen to Look what you can get here