...this blog captures in order the albums as I pull these gems off the shelf and groove to them .....

Sunday, December 16, 2012

What It Is! - Funky Soul and Rare Grooves (2006)

What It Is!  -  Funky Soul and Rare Grooves 1967 - 1977 

    Here is a very groovy 4 CD box set from Rhino that I picked up a few years back that is guaranteed to make you funk-out......imagine a boatload of rare funk & soul tunes from famous and not so famous artists from the late 60's and 70's sound ?

   Rhino really outdid themselves with this whole package.  The  music was sourced across the vaults of three different major record labels and countless production labels.   The music really hits the full range from full out funk to softer soul but never really sits too still for too long.
   I love compilations like this that just stray a bit of the "popular" path to find those songs and artists that should have really made it.  Of course on this compilation you will also find the likes of Aretha, Commodores, LaBelle and  Curtis Mayfield, but the majority of the tunes and bands I had never heard of before.
   These long lost treasures have been carefully remastered and sound fresh and new with all songs from the original masters (no vinyl rips here!).
  Just as a way to give you an idea of the type of goodies in here listen to The Mystic Moods song "Cosmic Sea" originally released in 1973 and sold like only a few copies and basically faded into the abyss.  But this tune and band were recorded in Quadraphonic by founder Brad Miller of Audio Fidelity.   ...wah wah guitar....trippy female vocals .....no wonder the 45 is totally sought after by Funk fans !
  The packaging is also quite stunning with all 4 CD's being individually wrapped in a paper LP sleeve and snuggly fitting into the large box with a droned color 76 page booklet  with detailed notes and pictures.
   Any fan of Funk will need to have this box set in their collection....it's just that good.
  
   

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