Funk From All Over the World Part 2

Bobby Boyd Congress: Straight Ahead
From: S/T [Okapi, 1971]

Fire: Flames
From: Could You Understand Me [Estrella Rockera, 1973

Yuya Uchida and the Flowers: Intruder
From: Challenge [Sony, 2007]

Petalouda: What You Can Do In Your Life
From: V/A- Psych Funk 101 [World Psychedelic Funk Classics, 2009]

The Deviants: Fire In the City
From: Disposable [101 Distribution, 2009]

Neoton: Nora
From: V/A- Well Hung: Funk Rock Eruptions from Beneath Communist Hungary, Vol.1 [ Finders Keepers, 2009]

I know it’s already been close to two weeks since we kicked off the New Year, but I wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year. Here’s to more scores of wax in 2010 that will make your head spin. I realize I haven’t been posting very often on here, but I’ve been spending most of my time listening to new and old tunes.  You may recall that I posted a compilation of Funk From All Over the World earlier in the year.  The tunes that I am presenting to you today are the second part to this ongoing series of psychedelic funk relics from all over the world.  I have to warn you ahead of time that these tunes are so addictive that you might start to shake when you haven’t received your daily funk intake.  

Instead of inundating you with an in-depth analysis of these tracks, I will present you with quick takes on each track.  The music will undoubtedly speak for itself. 

Let’s bring in the new year with a double-shot espresso of funk that will have you reaching for the repeat button on your stereo.

First off is a slammin’ funk monster from the Bobby Boyd Congress called “Straight Ahead”.  This track is the deep funk that gets under your skin and makes you feel dirty afterwards.  The next track called “Flames” is from a Yugoslavian psych rock band called Fire.  This is the longest track of the bunch at 9:00, and it features numerous breaks that have been used in old-school joints that aren’t coming to my mind right now. If any of you recognize where these breaks have been used, please don’t hesitate to share the wealth.  This is a fuzz-inflected psych rock behemoth that literally pummels your mind.  Next is Yuya Uchida and the Flowers’ “Intruder” which features a funky psych backdrop coupled with hair raising vocals that are reminiscent of Casa Nostra.  

Petalouda’s “What You Can Do in Your Life” is one of the most amazing tracks I have heard in quite some time.  It starts with a deceiving slow tempo and then builds up to a midtempo groover with vocals that recall Grace Slick singing in Greek.  After this, I felt that The Deviants ”Fire In the City”  fit this mix perfectly with a groovy 70’s sound that seems  like something that Madlib would sample on one of his Beat Konducta compilations.  Last but definitely not least is the fantastic track called “Nora” from the Well Hung compilation.  It has a couple drum breaks in it with groovin’ organ and a latin tinged sound that gets you moving.  Phew… I’m sweating right now as I listen to these funky, funky jams.

The next Anatomy of a Sample is on deck, but for now enjoy these funky jams.