Lack of Afro - charts

January 2008

The Diplomats of Solid Sound (featuring the Diplomettes) – Hurt Me So (Lack of Afro rmx) [Record Kicks 45]
The Originals – Dont Stop Now [Legere 45]
Kraak & Smaak – Mad as Hell [Jalapeno promo]
Ino Hidefumi – Satisfaction [Innocent Japan CD]
Regal – The Mack (Lack of Afro rmx) [Funk Weapons test]
Flow Dynamics – Bossa For Bebo (Lack of Afro rmx)
Dr Rubberfunk – Beats Working [Jalapeno promo] [Freestyle 12”]
The Headhunter – Get On It! [Club Tikka 45 test]
Kraak & Smaak – Squeeze Me feat. Ben Westbeech (Lack of Afro rmx) [Jalapeno test]
Flash Callahan – Do You KNow The Truth [Jalapeno promo]

Press On!

What’s bangin my drum right now…

Mmm...That'll be nice

Mark Ronson – Version [Sony/Allido]
The Sound Stylistics – Play Deep Funk [Freestyle]
Nostalgia 77 – Everything Under The Sun [Tru Thoughts]
Arctic Monkeys – Favourite Worst Nightmare [Domino]
Lack of Afro – When The Sun Goes Down [Unreleased cd-r]
Flow Dynamics – Flow Dynamics [Freestyle]
Funk Shone – The Raw [Unreleased cd-r]
Smoove – I’m A Man [Record Kicks 7”]
Solid Pleasure – Solid Pleasure [Afrokats 12”]
Sam Cooke – Love Me [Studio 7”]
Tuomo – Don’t Take It Too Hard [Jupiter 7”]
New Mastersounds – Land of Nod (Lack of Afro rmx) [Record Kicks]

Funk 45's February 2007

Although busy with a sh*tload of remixes and writing the Lack of Afro album, I thought it was about high time I gave you good people the second installment of my Funk 45 chart. ‘Ere tis…

Eddie Bo- Hook N’ Sling [Scram]
What makes this record so special? Why it’s easy, the drums of course! Stand up James Black, this is without doubt your finest hour! An irresistable grrove that all starts with the syncopated drums and builds from there. Added to that Eddie Bo’s cheeky shouts and you have a winner. Makes me feel so unnecessary! More Info
The Meters – Cissy Strut [Josie]
Yes before you say it it’s an obvious choice, but how many funk records have been more influencial than “Cissy Strut”? Not many. I first heard this on a TV advert years ago and I had to find out what it was. Can’t remember what it was advertising but the music got me noddin straight away and has been with me ever since. Plenty has been written about The Meters so I won’t add to it here, safe to say if you haven’t heard this record, do yourself a favour and get on the case… More Info
James Brown – The Chicken [King]
I’ve had a soft spot for this record for years. I actually first heard it played by Jaco Pastorius, then later found this original version. Written by James Brown’s arranger Alfred “Pee Wee” Ellis, I think it’s actually impossible not to like this recording. It’s all there; addictive bassline, choppy guitar, stabbing horns but what really does it for me is Clyde Stubblefield’s drumming which is simply way ahead of its time. More Info
The Detroit Sex Machines – Rap It Together [Soul Fire]
Rough rough and raw! Snappy drums and a catchy horn refrain make this one of the best 45’s around to nod your head to. Great stuff! More Info
The Soul Seven – The Cissy’s Thang [Now Again]
A good time record without a doubt! Just a wonderful vibe sums this one up. The usual funk 45 ingrediants are present: chicken scratch guitar, infectiuous horns, big bass, drum break etc, but plenty of records have those without quite achieving the vibe that this one does. Recently heard at the beginning of Christina Aguilera’s “Ain’t No Other Man”. Or so I’m told… More Info
Soul Drifter – Funcky Brother [Smoke]
One of the most manic drumbreaks of all time in this one. What also floats my boat is the bass is so upfront in the mix. And what a bassline it is! More Info
The Latin Breed – Hard To Handle [GC]
One of the best covers I’ve ever heard, this one always does the business on the dancefloor. Heavy heavy stuff from the word go, the wah guitar is a particular highlight, and I also loves the way it speeds up as it goes along. Manic drumming! More Info
Funkshone – Purification [Skyline]
Woe betide anyone who thinks decent funk 45’s aren’t being made anymore. Step forward Mike Bandoni, aka Funkshone with this belter. From the opening 8 bars of just drums (and cowbell!) you know it’s gonna be good. It’s the sound that does it for me – straight from 1969 and that ain’t no accident! If you like your funk hard (and who doesn’t?) then check this mutha out! More Info
Cyril Neville – Gossip [Josie]
I’ve got David Holmes to thank for this one as I first heard it on his wonderful “Come Get It I Got It” comp. Backed by The Meters, a slow start gives way to a fantastic syncopated groove (led by the drums of Zigaboo Modeliste) before Cyril Neville’s Tenor takes the track to another level. Reissued on Jazzman so there’s no excuse not to own a copy! More Info
The Roy Porter Sound Machine – Panama [Chelan]
A party 45 if ever there was one! I just love records that sound as if there’s 50 people crammed into a studio just having a good time! This is one of those, with shouts and whistles all over the show! A top top groove that has been sampled many times and for good reason…More Info

Part 3 to follow in the Spring…

Festive Fun(k)!

Funk Shone – Purification [Skyline 7”]
The New Mastersounds – 102% [One Note LP]
Bonobo – Days To Come [Ninja Tune LP]
Lack Of Afro – Roderigo [Freestyle 7”]
Ch3vy – Blue Boogaloo [Jack to Phono 7”]
Delicious Allstars – Poker Nights Theme [Skyline 7”]
Lundo / Chango Family – Otro Mundo [Afro-Kats 7”]
The New Mastersounds – One Note Brown (live) [Unreleased]
Eddie Roberts – Georgio’s Brother (Lack of Afro remix) [Record Kicks 12”]
Marasma – On Time [Marasma 7”]
Quantic – The Sound of Everything [Marulasoulfood 7”]
Smoove – Tired Feet [Acid Jazz 7”]