More Rare Funk...

Here is another selection of super rare grooves from my personal collection :) Many of these should have been posted earlier, as there are really some excellent tracks in here.

Rare sound illustrations unearthed from the glorious days of Library music, rare soundtracks from 1960-70s European films, rare American funk grooves, all tied together by the ever present thumping bass, breaking drums, scatting flute and horny horns.

Many artists here have already been featured on this blog: Janko Nilovic, Bernard Estardy, Ivan Jullien...

Stefano Torossi and Roger Roger, already featured in the previous selection open up on this one, and are followed by Barry Forgie's "Mindbender". This track is a classical suite, recorded in one 3-hour session. Beautiful string arrangements, electric harpsichords, bongos and other rare instruments come together to form a true baroque/psych/funk masterpiece. Released on a Library Record, it is now one of the most sought after Library LP's in the world (find it for less than $500 and I'll buy it!)

Then comes a track from Jean Claude Vannier's conceptual masterpiece "L'enfant Assassin des Mouches" from 1972. This is an album way ahead of it's time, by the arranger of Gainsbourg's "Melody Nelson". This track mixes classical tones, European mod funk and oriental modalities. An incredibly rich production for a beautifully lush result. An album that MUST be discovered at all costs.

Some serious funky flute moves follow, with Raymond Guiot's "Primitive Spirit" and Jeremy Steig's "Howlin' for Judy". If you've ever listened to the Beastie Boys, you'll know exactly where I'm coming from.

David Snell was also featured in the previous post, and returns with a very etheral and mellow track. A slow-jammer filled with harp melody and a very groovy bass. The track that follows is a mind blowing psychadelic gem from Georges Garvarentz, famous for being Charles Aznavour's arranger and for composing over 150 film scores.

Others include Plimsoll Sandwich from England, the great Italian sountrack composer Piero Umiliani. The track "Topless Party" was part of a score for a soft-core Swedish Porn film "Svezia, Inferno e Paradiso". This 1968 Soundtrack has become legendary for the song "Mah Na Mah Na" covered by..... THE MUPPETS.

Bop Jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie is featured with a massive funk tune "Matrix" and is followed by "Brother" McDuff with his "Moon Rappin'". Then come Jimmy Sabater from Puerto Rico, Brazilian-born Jazz Funk artist Jayme Marques, Missus Beastly from Germany, Tihomir Asanovic ("the most funky ex-Yugoslavian keyboard player in the world") and Embryo from Switzerland. Great Funkiness From Around the World!

Tracklist is:

01. Stefano Torossi - Having Fun, 1975
02. Roger Roger - Safari Park, 1972
03. Barry Forgie - Mindbender, 1972
04. J.C. Vannier - Danse des Mouches Noires Gardes du Roi, 1971
05. Raymond Guiot - Primitive Spirit, 1971
06. Jeremy Steig - Howlin' for Judy, 1970
07. David Snell - Crab Apple Jam, 1975
08. Georges Garvarentz - Haschisch Party, 1971
09. Plimsoll Sandwich - Memphis Underground, 1975
10. Piero Umiliani - Topless Party, 1968
11. Janko Nilovic - Gipsy Funk, 1970
12. Dizzy Gillespie - Matrix, 1970
13. 'Brother' Jack McDuff - Moon Rappin', 1970
14. Ivan Jullien - An Oscar for Eddy, 1970
15. Jimmy Sabater - Kool it (Here comes the Fuzz), 1970
16. Bernard Estardy - La Gigouille, 1967
17. Jayme Marques - Negra Orquidea, 1970's
18. Missus Beastly - Space Guerilla, 1976
19. Tihomir Asanovic - Berlin, 1976
20. Embryo - Knast Funk, 1977

Get it here