soleil rare 10 - that funk.

Dat funk, dat funk baby...

Bernard "Pretty" Purdie - Soul Drums.

Pretty Purdie is one of the most famous drummers ever. His sticks are behind some of the best breaks ever. He's backed music icons like James Brown, Al Kooper, Galt MacDermot, Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, Joe Cocker, Steely Dan, Quincy Jones, Isaac Hayes and many many many more. 

Needless to say that when Pretty Purdie brings the heat, you'd better listen. 

"Soul Drums", his first solo album, was released in 1968. It has since been reissued and it's a good thing, as the original pressing reached such high prices... Here, the drums are the star of the show, backed by horns and a quiet bass. Enjoy the drummer's moaning. 

Mtume - Kiss This World Goodbye.

Another ex-collaborator of Miles Davis, percussionist James Mtume later expanded his own wing. Note that Mtume is the name of an authentic band, James Mtume being the leader, kind of in a Bon Jovi way (sorry for the reference). 

"Kiss The World Goodbye" is a strong album from 1978. The balance here is enjoyable, with all the elements of funk : electric guitars, greasy bass, horns, synths and drums... vocals are quite discreet, because instruments are the real stars. 

Booker T. & The M.G.'s - Hi Ride.

A classic Booker T's effort : dancing drums, loud grooving organs, what more do you need ? 

Dating from 1971, "Melting Pot" was a late success for the band, before it collapsed. Nonetheless, the band had enjoyed a remarkable reputation, both as in-house band for Atlantic and Stax, and as a band on its own. They contributed to the definition of the southern style of soul music, focusing on the groove. 

Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out.

"I'm... coming... I'm... I'm... coming...". You probably heard this on a Notorious B.I.G.'s posthumous song, "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems", featuring Puffy and Maze. "B.I.G.P.O.P.P.In...", classic.

Well, the original is from the queen Diana Ross. Can you feel the influence here ? The Motown's era was gone... Diana found a new home under Nile Rodgers's wing. Yeah, Nile Rodger, and Bernard Edwards, from the Chic Organization. "Le Freak" and all that... that's why it sounds so disco, but good anyway. Nile is probably responsible for the round bass of the track. The drums are just crazy at the beginning, with hard breaks cutting the guitar riff... there's even a trumpet at the end ! Wow, flawless. 

The Budos Band - Ghost Walk.

In recent years, many bands devoted to instrumental soul and hip hop emerged : The Budos Band, El Michels Affair, the Dap-Kings, The Will Sessions, etc. 

The Budos Band cultivated a mix of jazz, afro-soul and funk, whil other bands focused on a specific genre. Their first self-titled album was released in 2005, and since then, they released a couple others and collaborated with label mates Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. 

Enjoy that special swing on "Ghost Walk" ; killer percussions here. 

Kool & The Gang - Jungle Jazz.

You all of course know Kool & The Gang. But most people know their mainstream disco era, which is the less interesting of their stuff.

Featured on their 1975 album "Spirit Of The Boogie", "Jungle Jazz" is a variation of their 1973 hit "Jungle Boogie" ; but what's interesting with this track is the improvisation of the musicians, particularly on sax, flute and trumpet. The result is a wonderful track and a musical galore that surpasses all their disco hits of the 1980's. 

With that kind of performances, Kool & The Gang proved to be an authentic soul/funk band.

Idris Muhammad - Crab Apple.

Another original jazz drummer in this "Soleil Rare" compilation. In his career, Muhammad drifted from classic jazz to bebop, hardbop and generally more funky styles. Until this kind of tracks, "Crab Apple", which is pure instrumental funk, evn if it's usually labelled as jazz fusion. 

Actually, the bass/drums couple at the beginning says it all. Indeed, the album "Turn This Mutha Out" was released in 1977, right in the eye of the funk storm.  

"Crab Apple" features solid performances by all musicians, and includes a funky synthetizer performance alongside flying dancing horns. 

The Delfonics - Hurt So Bad.

The highly sampled The Delfonics may not be the most respected soul bands ever, but they delivered beautiful sessions of both vocal and instrumental performances. 

A pure product of Philly, The Delfonics were helped on their first album, "La La Means I Love You" by local legend Thom Bell. 

"Hurt So Bad" provides a high-tempo example of soul music. William Hart girly voice clearly serves the topic. Short, but good. 

Zulema - It's All Right With Me.

Zulema Cusseaux had that kind of warm deep voice that Tarantino would love. Kind of a confidential act in the R&B scene, she performed as a backing vocalist for Aretha Franklin, assumiong at the same time a solo career that never reached the top ranks of the charts. 

However, in retrospect, Zulema seems to be gaining more and more respect from diggers and soul lovers. 

Her performance here could easily be featured on soundtracks like "Jackie Brown", as it is pure soul with a big touch of funk, all thanks to Zulema's charisma behind the microphone. 

MFSB - TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia).

The sound of "Soul Train" ! Hell yeah. And who could have played it if not Philly's own MFSB ?

MFSB started as Philadelphia International Records in-house band, originating the Philly sound under the guidance of Leon Huff and Kenneth Gamble. Vibraphonist and arranger Vince Montana created the band with 30+ band, to be able to provide the walls of sound that the Philly International groups required.

"TSOP" may be the most famous MFSB track, as it sold over a million copies, and also thanks to the "Soul Train" classic TV show. Philly sound indeed. 

United States Navy Port Authority Soul Band - We're All The Same.

The 1960's and 1970's were the heavy years of propaganda in the US. The US armes forces were recruiting hard as the war in Vietnam was going on. There are a few examples of official bands made of members of the armed forces. The US Navy Port Authority Soul Band is one of them, and they released the "Together" album in 1973. 

Being an instrument of propaganda obviously didn't stop them from delivering soulful performances. "We're All The Same" is a very honest soul track, with a strong groove provided by an efficien guitar riff and a round heavy bass. Get Navy-funked. 

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