VARIOUS / SOUL JAZZ RECORDS PRESENT – Studio One Funk (2023 Reissue) – 2LP – Red Vinyl

2LP – Limited Edition Heavyweight Red Vinyl. Includes download code.

Studio One Funk is made up of rare and unreleased Reggae Funk from the vaults of Studio One. Ever since the birth of Funk in America, the sound has been an ever-present ingredient in the melting pot of Studio Ones musical output.

The music on this release is a combination of originals, US covers and versions of existing Studio One cuts. Jackie Mittoo shows his appreciation for Booker T and The MGs, the studio group at Memphis famous Stax Records with Hang Em High, itself a cover of a film soundtrack by Dominic Frontiere. Incredibly this version has never before been released. Booker Ts super-funky Melting Pot is also covered by the little-known Underground Vegetables.

Other versions include Isaac Hayes classic Blaxploitation soundtrack Shaft again by Cedric Im Brooks track – another unreleased gem, straight from the tape master. Motown gets a look in with Altons stripped-down version of the Spinners classic Its A Shame, written by Stevie Wonder and Syreeta.

James Brown is apparent in spirit with the JBs-inspired groove on the super rare cut Now by Lee Arab. Lloyd Williams similarly does a fine Kingston-style version of the hardest working man in showbusiness on Reggae Feet.

Version-wise, we have Idleberg, Cedric im Brooks tough instrumental cut on Horace Andys seminal Skylarking. The little-known Prince Moonie gives us a rare DJ cut of another Horace Andy classic, See A Mans Face.

Pablove Blacks cut of Sidewalk Doctor (A/K/A Poco Tempo) is one of a handful of Studio One releases featuring Augustus Pablos trademark instrument, the melodica, played by Black himself.

Add to these original cuts from Studio Ones heavyweight session players including Leroy Sibbles, Jackie Mittoo, Eric Frater, Leroy Horsemouth Wallace, Richard Ace, Vin Gordon and more and you have one of the finest selections of reggae and funk you will ever hear.

Tracklist:

Side A
1. Cedric Im Brooks Shaft
2. Alton Ellis African Descendants
3. Pablove Black Sidewalk Doctor
4. Lloyd Williams Reggae Feet

Side B
1. Jackie Mittoo Hang ‘Em High
2. Cedric Im Brooks Idleberg
3. Prince Francis Beat Down Babylon
4. Lee Arab Now
5. Soul Brothers 007

Side C
1. Prince Moonie See A Man’s Face
2. Sound Dimension Love Jah
3. Leroy Sibbles Do Your Thing
4. The Sharks Music Answer
5. Underground Vegetables Melting Pot

Side D
1. Devon Russell You Found Heaven
2. Vin Gordon Steady Beat
3. Alton Ellis It’s A Shame
4. Roy Richards Another Thing
5. Delroy Wilson Funky Broadway