Cut Chemist

After funk fell out of favor in light of the disco revolution and the ascension of hip-hop, many of its prized compositions were lost for the better part of two decades. On this widely heralded comp, the vinyl archeologists at Stones Throw records resurrect many of the era's lost gems. Ernie and the Top Notes' "Dap Walk" is a quintessential post-JB jam, with the track's ridiculously addictive bottom-end propelled by bobbing horn stabs. The shuffling funk of "Jody's Freeze" and the instrumental track "The Dump" are equally great. This is a crate-diggers wet dream.

A former Indianapolis high school jazz band led by a Ford Motor Co. employee with a James
Brown soul yelp; a Los Angeles community activist whose positive raps presage the Native
Tongue crew by two decades; a South Carolina trombonist who backed up Diana Ross and
the Temptations and can give Fred Wesley a run for his money. These are just a few of the
performers you'll find in this compilation of overlooked soul-funk artifacts from t... More >