Donnie Elbert - Stop In The Name Of Love

Soulful LP from Donnie Elbert, released on Trip in 1974 but I recall reading that it was recorded a few years earlier.

Heard It Thru The Grapevine


We've Got A Good Thing Going


If You Were My Woman


The material consists almost entirely of Motown covers. It's not bad though, most def worth the download.

1. Introduction
2. Stop In The Name Of Love
3. Never Can Say Goodbye
4. I Wanna Be Where You Are
5. My Cherie Amour
6. Heard It Thru The Grapevine
7. We've Got A Good Thing Going
8. The Way You Do The Things You Do
9. If You Were My Woman

link

Merl Saunders & Jerry Garcia - Live At Keystone

Live double-LP released on Fantasy in 1973. If The Other Merl Saunders record I posted was mainly a funk record, this one is more versatile, mixing southern soul songs (Like a Road), some kind of free organ jazz (Space), blues, Bob Dylan and Jimmy Cliff covers and, yes, some funk.

Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers


Space


It's No Use


The group consists of Merl Saunders on keyboards, Jerry Garcia on guitar, Bill Vitt on drums and John Kahn on bass, plus David Grisman makes an appearence on mandolin.

1. Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers
2. Positively 4th Street
3. The Harder They Come
4. It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry
5. Space
6. It's No Use
7. That's All Right Mama
8. My Funny Valentine
9. Someday Baby
10. Like a Road

link1
link2

Irakere - Live In Sweden

Irakere was a band from Cuba who performed a mixture of afro-funk, jazz and latin music. They started out in the 70's but this record was recorded in 1980 during a live performance in Sweden, released in 1981 on A Disc.

15 Minutos


Valle De Picadura


Chucho Valdés is band leader and plays keyboards (quite a lot of rhodes here), Carlos Del Puerto plays bass and sings, Enrique Piá plays drums and afro-cuban instruments, Jorge Alfonso plays congas and afro-cuban instruments, Oscar Valdés plays afro-cuban instruments and sings, Carlos Emilio Morales plays guitars, Jorge Varona plays trumpet, flugelhorn and sings, Arturo Sandoval plays trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone and sings and Carlos Averhoff plays saxophones and flutes.

1. Aguanile Bonko
2. 15 Minutos
3. Juan 1600
4. Iya
5. Valle De Picadura
6. Tres Dias
7. Irakere

link

Carolyn Franklin - Baby Dynamite

Funky soul grooves from Arethas sister. Her first album, released on RCA in 1969. Arranged and conducted by Horace Ott, produced by Buzz Willis.

What Cha' Gonna Do


I Can't Love Without You


There I Go (Se per te c'e' soltano quell 'uomo)


Soulful shit. And some really gritty grooves aswell. Make sure you check this out if you haven't heard it.

1. Reality
2. It's True I'm Gonna Miss You
3. What Cha' Gonna Do
4. I Don't Want To Loose You
5. Boxer
6. I Can't Love Without You
7. What Now My Love
8. Alone
9. There I Go (Se per te c'e' soltano quell 'uomo)
10. On a Back Street
11. More Than Ever Before

link

Joe Thomas - Ebony Godfather

This record is the definition of funky flute. Released on the Today label in 1972. No info on the other players.

Chitlins And Cuchifritos


Every Brother Ain't A Brother


Love


Chitlins And Cuchifritos is a classic track that is made up of a funk groove with Thomas blowing all over it. Even though all tracks on this record is nice, these three are the ones that stand out for me.

1. Talk To Me
2. Chitlins And Cuchifritos
3. Ebony Godfather
4. Fancy Fanny
5. Be Anything Be Mine
6. Every Brother Ain't A Brother
7. Sundown Express
8. Love

link

Richard ''Groove'' Holmes - Six Million Dollar Man

Organ funk from the mighty Groove Holmes. Released in 1975 on the Flying Dutchman label. Players include David Walker, Chuck Rainey, Tom Scott, Oscar Brashear and many others (see back cover for full detail).

Dumpy Mama


Mama's Groove


Oliver Nelson conjures up some sweet 70's grooves for Groove to groove to. Them two examples should be enough to convince you, right?

1. Disc-O-Mite
2. Salsa De Alma
3. Once Is Not Enough
4. Dumpy Mama
5. Six Million Dollar Man
6. Double Scale
7. 125th St. And 7th Ave
8. Mama's Groove

link

David Porter - Sweat & Love

Great 70's soul from the man most known for his days as Isaac Hayes songwriting partner. He released a couple of solo records on Stax after the golden years of the Hayes-Porter team had ended. This one is from 1973, his last one, I think.

Somebody Owns A Piece Of My Rock


Somebody Owns A Piece Of My Rock is my favourite track here but it isn't the only good one. Didn't Know Love Was So Good is great aswell, it kinda reminds me of Across 110th Street by Bobby Womack. Funny Money has a nice flute groove to it.

1. Didn't Know Love Was So Good
2. Somebody Owns A Piece Of My Rock
3. (Seems Like) The One You Can't Have all By Yourself
4. All The Way
5. Funny Money
6. I Can Live With My Conscience
7. This Song Has No Title
8. Long As You're The One Somebody In The World
9. Falling Out, Falling In

link

Universal Jones - Vol. 1

A nice funky album by Universal Jones who never released a second volume. Released on MGM/Verve in 1972. If you look to the far left on the cover you'll see every beat diggers favourite funk/folk singer Eugene McDaniels, who is a major contributer to this album. Mc D is listed as producer, lead vocalist, writer and acoustic guitar player, Sister Charlotte is the female lead vocalist, Maurice McKinley is on drums, Bob Woos is on guitars and bass, Leon Pendarvis is arranging and conducting the set aswell as playing bass and electric piano. There's additional musicians listed on the back cover.

Tuesday Morning

River

Listen to the mellow groove of Tuesday Morning for a taste. River sounds like something straight from one of Eugenes solo albums from the early 70's. It's got that folky feel. There are three more good funk tunes, some more soulful ones and then there's the 10-minute jazz-funk tune Hello To The Wind.

1. We All Know A Lot Of Things But It Don't Never Show
2. Takin' Care Of Business
3. Feeling That Glow
4. Tuesday Morning
5. Good Love Man
6. Hello To The Wind
7. River
8. Sidewalk Man

link

The Nite-Liters - Instrumental Directions

A classic funk record. Mostly soul/funk instrumentals, but there's also some nice soulful vocals on Respect to the Other Man and (Them) Changes. Released on RCA in 1972, produced by Harvey Fuqua.

(Them) Changes preview

Respect to the Other Man preview

1. Theme From Shaft
2. Brand X
3. (Them) Changes
4. Respect to the Other Man
5. Cherish Every Precious Moment
6. Afro-Strut
7. Medley; MacArthur Park-What's Going On-Fuqua's Theme
8. I've Got Dreams to Remember
9. Wichita Lineman
10. Bakers Instant

link

Black Music: Betty Davis

I've got something new for todays post. In december of 1973 the first issue of a brittish music magazine called Black Music hit the shelves. Lucky for me, my dad picked it up. He also bought a ton of other issues of above mentioned magazine. This is an article on Betty Davis from the november issue of 1974. If this is appreciated I can easily put up more articles like this (Herbie Hancock, Gil-Scott Heron, The Blackbyrds, The Meters).

Leon Thomas - In Berlin

Live album from jazz vocalist Leon Thomas, released on the Flying Dutchman label in 1971. Feateures a great version of The Creator Has A Masterplan.

Leon Thomas - vocals, african mouth organ, african flute, percussion and miscellaneous instruments; Oliver Nelson - alto saxophone; Arthur Sterling - piano; Guenter Lenz - bass; Sonny Morgan - conga; Lex Humphries - drums

1. Straight No Chaser
2. a) Pharaoh's Tune (The Journey) b) Echoes
3. Umbo Weti
4. The Creator Has A Masterplan-Peace
5. Oo-Wheee!! Hindewe

Digital Millennium Copyright Act stole the link

Wlodek Gulgowski - The Music Of Wlodek Gulgowski

Pianist Wlodek Gulgowski released this album in 1972 on Senise (tiny label distributed by EMI). It's funky in parts and some kind of folky pop in other parts. Not every track is great but Who Was The Man and Yeah Man Song are. Vocals are by Maritza Horn, Wlodek handles keyboards, Waldy Hajer plays trombone, alto sax and violin, Hasse Rosén plays guitar, Jan Bergman plays bass, Stephen Möller plays drums, Henry Gustafsson is on flute, Malando Gassama plays congas, Inge Boström plays 1st violin and Frank Corvini 1st trumpet.

1. Delivery Of Love
2. Who Was The Man
3. Treaty Of Peace
4. Yeah Man Song
5. Take A Step To Jesus
6. Bring Back The Fire Of Love
7. Goodbye To Monotony
8. I've Paced The Road Of Life
9. Love Is Our Hope

http://www.mediafire.com/?zz2smd43xys

Merl Saunders - Fire Up

Funky stuff from organist Merl Saunders who passed away recently. Some instrumental tracks, some with vocals. The album was released on Fantasy in 1973. Players are Merl Saunders on keyboardsand vocals, Jerry Garcia on guitar and vocals, Tom Fogerty and Mike Howell on rhythm guitar, John Kahn or Chuck Rainey on bass, Bill Vitt, Christopher Parker, Bill Kruetzman or Gaylord Birch on drums, Bill Sommers and Ken Nash on percussion and Walter Hawkins on vocals. Really nice funky music with some blues and jazz elements.

1. After Midnight
2. Expressway (To Your Heart)
3. Charisma (She's Got)
4. Soul Roach
5. Chock-Lite Puddin'
6. Benedict Rides
7. The System
8. Lonely Avenue

http://www.mediafire.com/?12hgtzoyzvn

Mandingo - Savage Rite

English group Mandingo released this album on EMI in 1977. Besides sporting a fabulous cover, it contains a hectic, hard-rocking kind of afro-funk. There's a cool version of The Chakachas classic funk track Jungle Fever (though, here it's called Jungle Juice). King Of The Jungle is equally good and The Man From Takoradi has a nice blaxplotation feel to it.

1. Manhunter
2. Wild Man
3. Arachnid
4. King Of The Jungle
5. Requiem For A Warrior
6. The Man From Takoradi
7. Jackal
8. Rebellion
9. Jungle Juice
10. Savage Rite

http://www.mediafire.com/?polxmlcty2x

Finds

This past week I went away for a few days to see my sister. While visiting her I checked out the record stores in her neck of the woods. Check out what I found.


All together I paid less than 30 euros for all of these. Considering that the Bobby Byrd record alone is worth more than twice that I think I made a pretty good deal.
A list of the records:

• Irakare - Live In Sweden
• Bobby Byrd - I Need Help
• Bob Azzam - Garden Of Love
• Edwin Birdsong - Super Natural
• LeRoy Hutson - Feel The Spirit
• Spinners - From Here To Eternally
• 5th Dimension - Earthbound
• Spinners - 8
• Billie Holiday - A Rare Live Recording Of
• Moms Mabley - Abraham, Martin & John
• Luther - Luther
• Major Harris - Jealousy
• Formula IV - Come Get Yourself Some

I've got some of these lined up for ripping but not all of them, so if you see anything you like, say so in the comments.

Irene Reid - The World Needs What I Need

Nice soul with a real fatback sound on some tracks. There's also some jazzy and some bluesy touches here and there. Released on Polydor in 1971, arranged and conducted by Horace Ott. Her version of My Way is really nice and gets lowdown and funky before the fade. Hey World, Let Love In is the song for the straight up funk heads.

1. A Certain Kind Of Woman
2. Moon Dance
3. My Way
4. Son Of A Preacher Man
5. Words
6. The World Needs What I Need
7. Hi-De-Ho (That Old Sweet Roll)
8. Didn't We
9. Hey World, Let Love In

http://www.mediafire.com/?cv5iincxwzm

J.A.L.N. Band - Life Is A Fight

Tight funk from the UK. Soulful, funky, smooth grooves with a hint of disco, kind of like George Clinton meets The Blackbyrds. Released on Magnet Records in 1976. People Think Again is dope, with a mellow groove and fitting vocals and Doin' A Parliament Thing is a nice imitation of the Clinton bands.
I'm not sure if it's true but I read that J.A.L.N. stands for Just A Lot of Noise.

1. Welcome Child
2. Finding My Feet
3. Life Is A Fight
4. Ups & Downs
5. People Think Again
6. Disco Music - I Like It
7. Nothing Ever Comes That Easy
8. This 'Ere Feelin
9. Let's Do It Now
10. Doin' A Parliament Thing

http://www.mediafire.com/?mbrpvimmdqp

Tsuyoshi Yamamoto - Misty

Some more Japanese jazz released on the Three Blind Mice label. This is from pianist Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and was recorded in 1974 together with Isoo Fukui on bass and Tetsujiro Obara on drums. Very nice, chilled out jazz for them quiet afternoons.

1. Misty
2. Blues
3. Yesterdays
4. Honey Suckle Rose
5. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
6. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
7. Angel Eyes

http://www.mediafire.com/?pwimjlduy03

Trouble - After The War

Funky jazz from Denmark. Very groovy record, packed with funky drumming. Released in 1970 on Sonet. The players are Allan Botschinsky on trumpet and flugelhorn, Ray Pitts on tenor sax, soprano sax and flute, Ole Koch Hansen on organ and piano, Ole Berndorf on guitar, Nils-Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass and Bjarne Rostvold on drums.

1. Christmas Day's Evening
2. Circus Waltz/After The War
3. Lonely People/Ballad
4. Children Song
5. Twinkle
6. Winter Night
7. Three/Deep Six

http://www.mediafire.com/?wbdsus1lz9o

Mel Brown - Mel Brown's Fifth

Once again, Mel Brown on Impulse, released in 1971. This one is a whole lot grittier than the other Mel Brown record I posted and it's a whole lot better too, if you ask me. The other players are Jimmy Davis on organ and keyboard bass, Jeff Osborne on drums, Carle Vickers on trumpet, Jake Riley on trombone, Lorenzo Carnegie on alto sax, Onion Miller on tenor sax, Tobie Butler on baritone sax, Clifford Coulter plays electric piano on one tune and Mel's father, John H Brown, contributes a vocal. Other than playing his guitar Mel also plays electric piano, sings and plays bass. The 10 minute jam, Luv Potion is dope.

1. Time For A Change
2. Good Stuff
3. Seven Forty-Seven (Airport Blues)
4. Luv Potion
5. Drifting Blues
6. Cheap At Half The Price
7. Home Made
8. Gimme A Little Slack

http://www.mediafire.com/?vxmmiculy4z

Isao Suzuki Trio/Quartet - Blow Up

Another record from bass player Isao Suzuki, this one released in 1973 on Three Blind Mice. Suzuki plays bass and cello, Kunihiko Sugano plays piano and fender rhodes, George Otsuka plays drums and a second bass player, Takashi Mizuhashi, is added on four tracks. Aqua Marine is a nice, hypnotic tune with sweet rhodes piano. Blow Up is funkier and sort of hectic.

1. Aqua Marine
2. Everything Happens To Me
3. Blow Up
4. Like It Is
5. I Can't Get Started
6. Low Flight

http://www.mediafire.com/?bcz2m1bfdtd

Bobby Jones - The Arrival Of Bobby Jones

The Arrival Of Bobby Jones was released in 1972 on Cobblestone Records. The players are Bobby jones on tenor sax, soprano sax and clarinet, Richard Davis on bass, Charles McPherson on alto sax, Jaki Byard on piano, Mickey Roker on drums, Bob Dorough plays rhodes on two tunes and Sue Evans handles percussion duties on three tunes.

1. Thanks To Trane
2. Ballad For Two Sons
3. 'Stone Bossa
4. Blues For The Brown Buddha
5. Waltz For Joy
6. Keepin' Up With Jones
7. As The Crow Flies

http://www.mediafire.com/?ynwlxze6vyf

Crusaders - Unsung Heroes

Another Crusaders post. This one was released in 1973 on Blue Thumb. Funky jazz, typical of these men at this point in time. Aside from the original four members the players are Larry Carlton and Arthur Adams on guitar and Max Bennett on bass.

1. Unsung Heroes
2. Lay It On The Line
3. Crossfire
4. Hard Times
5. Let's Boogie
6. Freedom Sound
7. In The Middle Of The River
8. Heavy Up (Don't Get Light With Me)
9. Night Theme
10. Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

http://www.mediafire.com/?dqiz3j6m10c

Rudolph Johnson - The Second Coming

Dope jazz with an edge, which is nothing less than what you expect from a Black Jazz album. Released in 1973, this record features four Rudolph Johnson originals and one tune written by Kirk Lightsey, who plays piano. Doug Sides plays drums, Kent Brinkley plays bass and Rudolph Johnson plays his tenor sax and is also credited as the arranger. All the tunes are nice but The Traveler and The Highest Pleasure stands out for me.

1. The Traveler
2. Time And Space
3. The Highest Pleasure
4. The Water Bearer
5. The Second Coming

Link removed at the request of Black Jazz Records

The Afro-American Ensemble - Free The Black Man's Chains

This is a great funky concept record that deals with being black in America, from the slavery days to religion to politics. It was released in 1972 on GSF records. My favorite tracks include the title track and Fair Skin Man, both tracks are masterful dirty funk all the way through.

1. Free The Black Man's Chains
2. ''Slave'' I Wanna Be Free
3. It's A Sad Black World
4. North To The Promised Land (Big Black Man)
5. Black Is Black
6. Fair Skin Man
7. Gone Is The Laughter Of You
8. Somebody Bigger Than You And I
9. Love (L.O.V.E.)
10. Tomorrow The Sun Will Shine
11. Soul President
12. We Are Here

http://www.mediafire.com/?cxvxgvwy3qq

Jazz Crusaders - Lighthouse '69

By 1969 The Jazz Crusaders had begun moving into the funky area of jazz they would focus on for most of the 70's. They still have a good chunk of jazz left in their style though. This was recorded live at the Lighthouse with "their favourite bassist" Buster Williams. The main four Crusaders are Wilton Felder, Wayne Henderson, Stix Hooper and Joe Sample. Lighthouse 69' was released on World Pacific Jazz.

1. Get Back
2. It's Gotta Be Real
3. Willie And Laura Mae Jones
4. Ruby P'Gonia
5. It's Your Thing
6. Inside The Outside
7. Reflections
8. Svenska Flicka

http://www.mediafire.com/?ijrzttwbewn

Archie Shepp - For Losers

Archie Shepp recorded this album for Impulse on three seperate dates in 1968-69, but it wasn't released until 1971. It features sounds that go in line with what he had done up until then and some funkier, fatback sounds that go in line with what his later Impulse releases would sound like. Personnel is as follows; Archie Shepp on tenor and soprano sax, Woody Shaw, Martin Banks or Jimmy Owens on trumpet, Matthew Gee or Grachan Moncur III on trombone, Clarence Sharpe, James Spaulding or Martin Kenyatta on alto sax, Cecil Payne or Charles Davis on baritone sax, Cedar Walton or Andrew Bey on piano, Dave Burrell on organ, Bert Payne or Wally Richardson on guitar, Wilbur Ware, Albert Winston or Bob Bushnell on bass, Joe Chambers, Beaver Harris or Bernard Purdie on drums and China-Lin Sharpe or Leon Thomas, Doris Troy and Tasha Thomas on vocals.

1. Stick 'Em Up
2. Abstract
3. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
4. What Would It Be Without You
5. Un Croque Monsieur (Poem: For Losers)

http://www.mediafire.com/?wy00xmgnloy

Odyssey - Odyssey

I was a little surprised when I couldn't find this one on any blog. Maybe it's just my blogsearching skills that's messing me up. Anyway, this record was released on Mowest in 1972 and contains some rare groove classics, for example Our Lives Are Shaped By What We Love and Battened Ships, both great tunes. Another favourite of mine is the rocky funk of Black Top Island (Of The West). Most of the songs fit into the soul category, although there is some songs that makes me wonder how they came to be on this album, Country Tune for example. This was the only album this group ever released (if you're thinking of the disco group of the same name, stop it). Royce Jones and Billy Pierce is doing the lead vocals, Kathleen Warren plays piano, fender rhodes, vibes & sings, Warner Schwebke plays bass, Don Peake and Don Dacus plays guitars and Gene Pello plays drums.

1. Home Of The Brave
2. Georgia Song
3. Country Tune
4. Gossamer Wings
5. Our Lives Are Shaped By What We Love
6. Wondrous Castles
7. Battened Ships
8. Sunny California Woman
9. Black Top Island (Of The West)
10. Broken Road

http://www.mediafire.com/?ww2dyolbcrb

King Floyd - Think About It

A quality funky soul record, released on ATCO/Chimneyville records in 1973. King Floyd tackles some covers and some originals. The Otis Redding tune Hard To Handle is my favourite, with its classic piano intro intact and drums that is a little harder than those on the original. Do Your Feeling is also great.

1. My Girl
2. Here It Is
3. Do Your Feeling
4. It's Not What You Say
5. Woman Don't Go Astray
6. Think About It
7. Thank You
8. Hard To Handle
9. You've Got Me
10. Everybody Needs Somebody

http://www.mediafire.com/?dtyuaewz03d

Dave Liebman - Drum Ode

Another Dave Liebman album but this one is more experimental, less rooted in funk and R'n'B grooves. Released on ECM in 1975, this record is a smorgosboard of rythms and rhodes. Richard Beirach plays rhodes, Gene Perla plays bass, John Abercrombie plays guitar, Jeff Williams and Bob Moses plays drums, Eleana Steinberg supplies vocals and then there are some congas, bongos, tablas and percussion being played, see the back cover for full detail.

1. Goli Dance
2. Loft Dance
3. Oasis
4. The Call
5. Your Lady
6. The Iguana's Ritual
7. Satya Dhwani (True Sound)

http://www.mediafire.com/?tndzgx0dmfv

Various Artists - Motown Instrumentals

The title pretty much explains it all. From what I understand, this is a pretty obscure record. A couple of the songs are instrumentals to old Motown hits and another couple of songs are new. Released in 1977 on Motowns Natural Resources Label. The sound quality of this one is a little rough at times but that's due to issues with the sound of the actual record, not a glitch in the ripping process.

1. San Remo Golden Strings - Hungry For Love
2. Jr. Walker - You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
3. Commodores - Rapid Fire
4. The Temptations - Papa Was A Rolling Stone
5. San Remo Golden Strings - Festival Time
6. Jr. Walker - Cleo's Back
7. The Crusaders - Way Back Home
8. Jermaine Jackson - Erucu
9. Rare Earth - Get Ready

Link removed upon request.

Odell Brown - Odell Brown

Organ-izer Odell Brown released this jazz-funk album on Paula Records in 1974. It's mellow, funky music and Brown plays both organ and rhodes (the electric piano is actually featured more frequently than the organ). A nice record all the way through. No info on the other players (if you know, clue me in).

1. I Love Every Little Thing About You
2. Tasha
3. South of 63rd
4. Song Theme
5. Simizzoke

http://www.mediafire.com/?lb4jmypbnuw

Camille Yarbrough - The Iron Pot Cooker

A great record by poet/singer Camille Yarbrough that mixes funk, jazz and soul. Camille sings, reads poerty, rhymes and talks. She's backed up by a group of five musicians; James Benjamin on bass, Cornell Dupree on guitar, Leopold Fleming on congas and percussion, Jimmy Johnson on drums and percussion and Linda Twine on Clavinet. Released on Vanguard in 1975.

1. But It Comes Out Mad
2. Dream - Panic - Sonny Boy The Rip-Off Man - Little Sally The Super Sex Star (Taking Care of Business)
3. Ain't It A Lonely Feeling
4. Take Yo' Praise
5. Can I Get A Witness
6. All Hid

http://rapidshare.com/files/386430658/Camille_Yarbrough_-_The_Iron_Pot_Cooker.rar

Rufus Thomas - Doing The Push & Pull At P.J.'s

Rufus Thomas released this funky and funny live album in 1971 on Stax records. It starts off with a 12 minute monologue where Rufus warms up the crowd, telling jokes, making them laugh. Then the music starts. It's funk with a late 60's feel, very groovy. There's also a bluesy tune and a cool version of Old McDonald Had A Farm.

1. Monologue
2. Ooh Poo Pah Doo
3. Old McDonald Had A Farm
4. Walking The Dog
5. The Preacher And The Bear
6. The Night Time Is The Right Time
7. (DoThe) Push And Pull
8. Do The Funky Chicken

http://rapidshare.com/files/139725281/Rufus_Thomas_-_Doing_The_Push___Pull_At_P.J._s.rar.html (The file was too big for mediafire so we're back to rapidshare for this one)

Secret Oyster - Vidunderlige Kaelling

Don't get thrown off by the cover, this is a nice record. And there is a quality break in here for the beatdiggers too. Secret Oyster is a fusion outfit from Denmark. This is the only record I've heard from them and, as far as I understand it, this is their funkiest record. Recorded in 1975, released on CBS in Holland. The music reminds me of Weather Report, for the most part, but the track Bellevue is pure funk (starts of with a nice long drum break).

1. Intro
2. Stjernerne Pa Gaden
3. Sirenerne
4. Astarte
5. Solitude
6. Tango-Bourgoisie
7. Bellevue
8. Valse Du Soir
9. Outro

http://www.mediafire.com/?zvxct93wqdp

Gene Ammons - My Way

Jazz-funk from saxophonist Gene Ammons, released on Prestige in 1971. The opening track is a real nice groovy number, there's also a couple of slower numbers and a nice version of What's Going On. Back in Mérida is also nice and funky. Players are Gene Ammons and Richard Landry on tenor saxes, Idris Muhammad on drums, Omar Clay on percussion, Roland Hanna on rhodes piano, Ted Dunbar or Billy Butler on guitar, Ron Carter or Chuck Rainey on bass, Robert Prado and Ernie Royal on trumpets, Garnett Brown on trombone plus some voices and strings.

1. Chicago Breakdown
2. What's Going On
3. A House Is Not a Home
4. Sack Full of Dreams
5. Back in Mérida
6. My Way

http://www.mediafire.com/?6jjjhkpae1f

Kim Weston - Kim Kim Kim

Kim Weston released this great soul album in 1970 on the Volt label. If you'd like, you could see this as a tribute post to Isaac Hayes, who recently passed away. Isaac is credited as one of three producers on this record. Great, powerful soul, with a sometimes funky edge. Kim really puts it down on this album.

1. You Just Don't Know.
2. The Love I've Been Looking For
3. What Could Be Better
4. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby
5. Love Vibrations
6. Buy Myself A Man
7. Got To Get You Off My Mind
8. Soul On Fire
9. Brothers & Sisters (Get Together)
10. Penny Blues
11. The Choice Is Up To You (Walk With Me Jesus)

http://www.mediafire.com/?xdjtjmymydd

Chuck Bridges and the L.A. Happening

A soul/funk record from 1969 (I think), released on the Vault label. I don't know a whole lot about these guys, but it seems this was their only LP. It's mostly good soul music, but there is also some more funk oriented tracks. These funky tunes are my favourites along with the soul pearl Head Over Heels.

1. L.A. Happening
2. Keep Your Faith Baby
3. Payin' Your Dues
4. State of Confusion
5. Things I Didn't Do
6. Bad Sam
7. Girl Wanted
8. Makin' The Rounds
9. Head Over Heels
10. A Boy And A Girl
11. Fox Tale
12. She Don't Love Me

http://www.mediafire.com/?09cjzwjcvwx

(Rapidshare or Mediafire? what to use?)

Hank Crawford - It's A Funky Thing To Do

Saxophonist Hank Crawford released this album on Cotillion in 1971. It is funky/bluesy jazz and features the jazz-funk regulars as sidemen. Eric Gale, Cornell Dupree, Richard Tee, Ron Carter, Chuck Rainey and Bernard Purdie plus Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis on one of the tunes.

1. It's A Funky Thing To Do
2. If Ever I Should Leave You
3. Hills Of Love
4. Sophisticated Soul
5. You're The One
6. Parker's Mood
7. Kingsize Man

http://rapidshare.com/files/138737703/Hank_Crawford_-_It_s_A_Funky_Thing_To_Do.rar.html

Stanley Turrentine - Always Something There

Antoher late 60's soul-jazz record on Blue Note. Tenor man Stanley Turrentine recorded this album in 1968 with alot of help from Thad Jones who supplied the arrangments. Jones old drummer freind, Mel Lewis shares drumming duties with Mickey Roker, Bob Cranshaw plays bass, Herbie Hancock or Hank Jones plays piano, Kenny Burrell and Barry Gailbraith is on guitar, Jerry Dodgion and Jerome Richardson is playing saxophones, flute and clarinet, Jimmy Cleveland plays trombone, James Buffington and Dick Berg plays french horns and Burt Collins plays flugelhorn. On my first listen I couldn't really get into this one since I thought it was too pop (with two Lennon-McCartney tunes, plus a cover of Light My Fire). It has grown on me since then though, and I especially like the funky swagger of the backbeat to Little Green Apples. Stoned Soul Picnic is great aswell. On the whole, this album kinda feels like a jazz version of the Mel Brown record I posted.

1. (There's) Always Something There
2. Little Green Apples
3. When I Look Into Your Eyes
4. Light My Fire
5. Those Were The Days
6. Stoned Soul Picnic
7. Home Town
8. Song For Bonnie
9. Hey Jude
10. Fool On The Hill

http://rapidshare.com/files/138554059/Stanley_Turrentine_-_Always_Something_There.rar.html

Blue Mitchell - Blue Mitchell

First off, I just wanted to say that I appreciate the comments I've been getting, keep them coming. It makes me want to rip and post more records. Todays record by Blue Mitchell was released on the Mainstream label in 1971. It's a lot less funk than his later 70's releases, but it's a nice album no matter what. Walter Bishop Jr. is playing piano and rhodes, Jimmy Forrest is playing tenor sax, Doug Sides is on drums and Larry Gales handles the bass.

1. Soul Village
2. Blues For Thelma
3. Queen Bey
4. Are You Real
5. Mi Hermano

http://rapidshare.com/files/138445215/Blue_Mitchell_-_Blue_Mitchell.rar.html

Lou Donaldson - Say It Loud!

Released on Blue Note in 1968 (or 69, I'm not quite sure), this album has a reputation of being one of the best jazz-funk records from the era. It features great work by Lou and his band; Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Jimmy Ponder on guitar, Charles Earland on organ and Leo "Idris Muhammad" Morris on drums. Aside from the funky title track there's also two funky donaldson originals in Snake Bone and Brother Soul.

1. Say It Loud I'm Black And I'm Proud
2. Summertime
3. Caravan
4. Snake Bone
5. Brother Soul

http://rapidshare.com/files/138220094/Lou_Donaldson_-_Say_It_Loud_.rar.html

Sun Treader - Zin-Zin

This is jazz-funk, heavy on rhythm, released on Island in 1973. Sun Treader was a project led by drummer Morris Pert who handles drums and percussion. The other members were Peter Robinson on electric pianos (there's plenty of nice rhodes playing on this one), Alyn Ross on bass and Robin Thompson plays soprano saxophone on two of the four tunes. The last song is weird but nice space-out music, while the other three tracks brings the funk.

1. Zin-Zin
2. Stardance
3. Orinoco
4. From The Region Of Capricorn

http://rapidshare.com/files/138180777/Sun_Treader_-_Zin-Zin.rar.html

Rick Laird - Soft Focus

Rick Laird, most famous for his time playing bass with The Mahavishnu Orchestra, recorded this album for the Muse/Timeless label in 1976. However, this vinyl copy of mine wasn't released until 1979, so perhaps this is a re-release, maybe someone can shed some light on this. Anyway, this is much more straight jazz than The Mahavishnu Orchestra, although there is some electric involvement. The players are Joe Henderson, who also produced the date, on tenor saxophone, Tom Grant on piano and rhodes and Ron Steen plays drums. There's some really nice and mellow moments on this one, I especially like it when the rhodes and drums stay in the background accompanying Laird and his electric bass.

1. Outer Surge
2. Now You Know
3. Thorn In A White Rose
4. I Love You
5. Soft Focus
6. Tranquility
7. We'll Be Together Again
8. Epilogue

http://rapidshare.com/files/137985027/Rick_Laird_-_Soft_Focus.rar.html

Jabula - Afrika Awake

This is Afro-Funk-Jazz-Poetry. Or something like that. Sort of like Last Poets meets Fela Kuti meets Cymande. This group is called Jabula and consists of Julian Sebothane Bahula, Madumetja

Lucky Ranku, Mike Mathome Rose, Penise Saul and Steve Scipio. Steve Scipio was actually the reason I picked this album up since I recognized his name on the back cover as the bass player from Cymande. On this album, his basslines is as bubbly as ever. My favourite track thus far is the mellow funk of Soweto My Love.

1. Afrika Awake
2. Thunder
3. Mathome
4. Sorrows
5. Soweto My Love
6. Soweto's Children
7. Sia Kala
8. I Know My Way
9. Raining In Amsterdam

http://rapidshare.com/files/137745955/Jabula_-_Afrika_Awake.rar.html

Groove Holmes - Night Glider

For my second post of the day; organ jazz-funk from Richard "Groove" Holmes. Released on the Groove Merchant label in 1973. Players are Garnett Brown on trombone, Seldon Powell on tenor saxophone, Lloyd Davis on guitar, Paul Martinez on bass, Horace Ott on electric piano, Bernard Purdie on drums and Kwasi Jayourba on congo and bongos.
I'll be going away for a few days, but I'll be back in a week or so with more goodies for your behind. So check back then.

1. Night Glider
2. Flyjack
3. It's Going To Take Some Time
4. Pure Cane Sugar
5. Go Away Little Girl
6. One Mint Julep
7. Young and Foolish

http://rapidshare.com/files/136613336/Groove_Holmes_-_Night_Glider.rar.html

Dillard Crume - And The Soul Rockers

Great James Brown-inspired funk/soul from this artist, otherwise mostly known as a gospel singer. Released on Alshire in 1969. I think I read somewhere that Maceo is playing on this, but I don't know. Regardless, there's some nice funky soulful singing going down in all of these tracks and the version of mother popcorn is poppin'.

1. Doin' Our Thing
2. Polk Sallad Annie
3. Mini Dress
4. That's The Way Love Is
5. Come Back Baby
6. Your Good Thing Is About To End
7. Let A Woman Be A Woman Let A Man Be A Man
8. Wait For Me
9. Mother Popcorn
10. Save Your Love For Me

http://rapidshare.com/files/136572856/Dillard_Crume_-_And_The_Soul_Rockers.rar.html