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Edwin Birdsong – Funtaztik (1981) (Salsoul SA 8550)

Edwin Birdsong – Funtaztik
1981 Salsoul Records SA 8550

A cult hit if only because of the iconic “Rapper Dapper Snapper”, the whole record is solid. Edwin Birdsong is an interesting guy who is associated with another really interesting guy, the recently-deceased Roy Ayers. I have a few more of Edwin’s albums to share. I’ll get right on that, which means you can expect them sometime before 2030.Edwin Birdsong – Funtaztik (1981) (Salsoul SA 8550)

The Sylvers – The Sylvers (1972) (Mr.Bongo 2019)

The Sylvers – The Sylvers
Vinyl rip in high resolution
FLAC |  300 dpi scans | Soul, Funk
1972 Pride Records || 2019 Mr.Bongo

The early seventies were the heyday of “family” bands from The Jackson 5 to The Staples Singers to, um, The Partridge Family. But there many less famous groups like The Stairsteps, and The Sylvers, with their own patriarchal figure helping shape things, and several guys named Leon in the mix.The Sylvers – The Sylvers (1972) (Mr.Bongo 2019)

James ‘Blood’ Ulmer – Are You Glad To Be In America? (1980) (Rough Trade – ROUGH 16)

James ‘Blood’ Ulmer – Are You Glad To Be In America?
Vinyl transfer in  24-bit 192 khz |FLAC | Artwork at 300 dpi
889 MB (24/96) 1.56 GB (24/192)| FileFactory | Free jazz, Funk
1980 Rough Trade (UK) | ‘Porky Prime Cut’

Well, greetings for the “new” year of 2025.  That’s all I will say about that.  This is the second record from guitarist James ‘Blood’ Ulmer, who had once been in Ornette Coleman’s band.  While his debut featured Ornette and was produced by him, this one shows how comfortable he was doing his own thing, while being produced by Mayo Thompson of Red Krayola fame.
James ‘Blood’ Ulmer – Are You Glad To Be In America? (1980) (Rough Trade – ROUGH 16)

Nat Turner Rebellion – Laugh To Keep From Crying (2021)

Nat Turner Rebellion – Laugh To Keep From Crying
Vinyl rip in 24-bit/192 kHz | |  Soul, funk
Philly Groove Records, Chrysalis – PGRV101

The Nat Turner Rebellion – the musical act, not the historical event – was a promising group from Philly that imploded before they ever really got off the ground, featuring vocalists Joe Jefferson, Major Harris, Ron Harper and Bill Spratley. With only a pair of singles issued while they were together, their planned debut record got shelved and sat collecting dust among the holdings of label Philly Groove Records before ending up in a stash of donated material at Drexel University, waiting almost half a century to finally be released.Nat Turner Rebellion – Laugh To Keep From Crying (2021)

Fat Larry’s Band – Off The Wall (1977) (Stax STX-4103) Day 3 of FV’s 12 Days of Christmas

Fat Larry’s Band – Off The Wall
Vinyl rip in 24-bit/192 kHz | FLAC |  300 dpi scans | Funk, Soul, Disco
1977 Stax Records STX-41303

 

Two words: Peaceful Journey…  I mean, the lead-off song Sparkle is fantastic: it’s about getting it on with an alien, so how could it not be?  I like to imagine it as an alternative version of the film of the same name with the Aretha Franklin / Curtis Mayfield soundtrack.  But Peaceful Journey, that’s where it’s at.  The group must have thought so too since it was the first single off the album, though it barely registered on the R&B charts, reaching No.98.  Still, you know you have a first-rate start-to-finish funk and soul album when even the slow tunes burn with a tight, smokey groove.  That rock solid beat just kills: founder and bandleader Fat Larry, aka Larry James , was a drummer. This is definitely a classic highlight from Fat Larry’s Band’s brief catalog.  And, like another classic highlight, Soul Makossa, it contains an idea that Quincy and Michael J would rip off a few years later.Fat Larry’s Band – Off The Wall (1977) (Stax STX-4103) Day 3 of FV’s 12 Days of Christmas