best of tk - volume 1
originally i discounted this compilation from the 70's miami based label, as it does feature a vast amount of cheesy sounding 70's funk and even includes kc and the sunshine bands 'thats the way ..', a track that has seeped into that territory of the over familiar, but, despite my initial misgivings i placed this on when working and found my spine being displaced on a frequent basis, i could not help it. avoiding the big named track, there is a full set of soul-funk grooves that deserve a lot more airing if you ask me. particular mentions must go out to the fantastic 8 minute, all tracks are full length versions, 'one love' by celi bee and the buzzy bunch, (catch these names !) the track is soulful, uplifting, pure joy dripping through the funked up orchestrated bass lines. then there is the excessively horned up party vibes of jimmy 'b' horne with the obviously titled 'dance across the floor', lyrical content is simplistic and to the point, but damn the handclaps and hammond organ will indeed compel the muscular involvement. not all of the tracks hit the right spot, foxy's 'get off' may indeed have the worldwide ripped 'whoop whoop' riff (trust me you will know it) and a vocoder midsection that'll teach air how to use the gadget properly, but, something just doesn't work for me. luckily though, the non starry named peter brown has the necessary lyrical sleaze factor in his 'do you want to get funky with me', one suspects that prince heard this in 1978 and realised he could definitely progress the mans style. includes a superb extended sax and digital drums break. very cool, very funky. something which cannot be said about 'jazz freak' by paulette reeves, but as i aint a jazz freak of any order i cannot really comment. just a little to bland and generic 70s' sounding.
oh, and would anyone ever go by the name willie 'little beaver' hale in 2004 ? the fact that his track 'groove on' is by far a mid-tempo soul-funk monster that the man in the hats, j.k, would die for says everything on the quality contained here. the compilation finishes with another massive worldwide hit, i knew the track by heart but never knew the origins or title of the track when it ruled my parents radio2 selection, the song is 'rock your baby' by george mccrae and will indeed make many people very happy. luckily the track has not been regurgitated in excel sis in advertising campaigns so its sly stone-esque mood will become a regular visitor to my stereo.
all in all a great little compilation that should definitely inspire a new bunch of sample spotters.