Truckload of funk from Instinct
Various Artists"More Original Raw Soul"
(Instinct 352)
For instance, More Original Raw Soul is the sequel to (surprisingly enough) Original Raw Soul. The first volume is a bit of a hit and miss affair, but this latest volume smacks solid from start to finish. This is the pure stuff - unadulterated funk from rare groove masters. Coming from the vaults of Hotpie and Candy Records, this is the kind of collection that will have you looking closely at the soul sections in your fave used shop. Sweet blaxploitation soundtracks, growling vocals and mellow ballads cover the range of early '70s American soul. It's a primer on everything you should know, but probably don't.
Various Artists"This Is Acid Jazz Volume Six"
(Instinct 365)
Fast forward to the present and you'll see what the pioneers of More Original Raw Soul begot. The Instinct Acid Jazz series has been both brilliant and completely forgettable. Volume Five is (to Vik's ears) almost totally unlistenable (think Kenny G), but Volume Six has recaptured the spark. 12 tracks from new school funk hipsters, Acid Jazz takes the soul of the '70s, the rare groove of Blue Note and blends it with a thoroughly modern dance floor sensibility. This time out, it's strictly on the rare groove tip (think Donald Byrd, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Smith et al). A couple of misses, but overall the Acid Jazz series is back on the right (and righteous) track. Food for your weary soul.
Feelin' funk free? Need to feed your soul? Radio Vik has selections from both More Original Raw Soul and This Is Acid Jazz Volume Six.
