Various - ...King Funk - 2 LPs of rare Soul

Various Artists 
 ...King Funk - Rare, Fast & Hard. 24 Essential Funk cuts from the label that gave              birth to the music 
BGP2 135 - 2 LP set of classic and rare early funk - 24 trx!! 

King Records of Cincinnati was one of the most influential record labels in the history of music. They recorded jump blues, rockabilly, vocal groups, rock'n'roll, country and excelled in all those areas. Names such as Hank Ballard, the Five Royales, Billy Ward and the Dominoes and Little Willie John stare out from the labels and titles like Fever, Honky Tonk and The Twist all made their debut on Syd Nathan's mammoth independent. It was in the mid-60s that the label made its most influential stamp on the music world. Its then #1 star unleashed a record that was defined by its unchanging solid groove rather than its melody. James Brown's Papa's Got A Brand New Bag may not have been the first funk record - check Gene Ammons Ca'Purange from his Bad! Bossa Nova album on Prestige - but it put it in an accessible context. For King, it meant that its next ten years were dominated by either James Brown productions or attempts to recreate that success with other producers.
King Funk rounds up much of the great music that was produced during this period and, unlike others, relies on the original masters for superior sound quality. From the James Brown camp we have old King stars Hank Ballard and Bill Doggett revitalised by a shade of Brown magic. We also include the rare 1972 outing by the JBs under the name the Sons Of Funk From The Back Side (titter ye not). Ballard is also on the original version of Unwind Yourself produced by Charles Spurling. Our 50s hit-makers are topped off by the Coasters with a couple of cuts from their sought-after 1972 album On Broadway including the much-sampled Down Home Girl.
We round up several more super-rare moments, including Roosevelt Matthews hooked up with Billy Ball and the Upsetters on Tighten Up which would set you back more than £500 for an original. We also have three tracks from Marie 'Queenie' Lyons' ultra-rare DeLuxe album including the magnificent See Don't See and Fever. Add to this the much-wanted singles by Over Night Low, Soul East and James K-Nine and you can see we are truly cooking.
Of the other tracks there is a level of consistency that would rock most people's worlds. My personal favourite is the wonderful Gold Walk by the Presidents, whilst J Hines and the Fellows' Camelot Time is a big favourite with DJ/producer David Holmes. This is music that is funky and some. Listen and enjoy. -- By Dean Rudland

Contains;
     Disc One - Side One 
Honky Tonk Popcorn - Bill Doggett 
Butter Your Popcorn - Hank Ballard 
Your Thing Ain't Go Good Without My Good Thing - Marie Queenie Lyons  
Tighten Up - Roosevelt Matthews
Live It Up - James K-Nine
Gold Walk - The Presidents  
     Disc One - Side Two 
See and Don't See - Marie Queenie Lyons 
From the back Side (part 1) - The Sons of Funk 
From the Back Side (part 2) - The Sons of Funk 
The Witch Doctor - Over Night Low 
Papa's Got the Wagon - Gloria Walker 
Camelot Time - J Hines and the Fellows 
     Disc Two - Side One 
Fever - Marie Queenie Lyons 
Love Potion No. 9 - The Coasters 
Soul Train - Little Royal 
Unwind Yourself - Hank Ballard 
Get it Right or Leave it Alone - Dan Brantley 
Stand Up and Get Funky - James Duncan 
     Disc Two - Side Two 
Honky Tonk - Bill Doggett 
Funky Lady (Part 1) - Soul East 
Funky Lady (Part 2) - Soul East 
Mr. Tuff Stuff - Toby King 
Don't Get Funky - Gloria Walker 
Down Home Girl - The Coasters 

NEW SEALED import 2 LP set