Into The Groove (36)

Hello Its Into The Rare Groove today, at least that what these Urban Classics were called at the time of their re-discovery...rare grooves . It wasn't just rappers looking, the soul/funk and jazzdance DJ's were looking out for these too, so inevatably compilations hit the market.. And these Urban Classics 1 & 2 certainly got noticed...

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Whether it’s sampled as breakbeats, mixed into DJ sets, resold as baby boomer nostalgia or treasured as a holy grail of crate-digging connoisseurs, vintage soul and funk has journeyed from of-the-moment sounds into the realm of timeless for several generations of music lovers. From singles to compilations to samples back to compilations, the sound of the original recordings is creating ever-louder echoes of the echo.

Soul and funk of the ’60s and ’70s had an incalculable influence on American and global popular music. Unlike rock, America’s other great post-war musical phenomenon, soul music came from specifically Afro-American cultural experiences. Its impulses included gospel and jazz, increasing rhythmic sophistication and a broader instrumental palette. Its national successes (James Brown, Sly Stone, Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes) expanded the artistic and commercial dreams of these soul purveyors, but for the huge majority, soul music was a regional industry: recorded by local artists, pressed on 45s, distributed through “mom & pop” stores and played almost exclusively in regional radio markets. With no national distribution or support, many recordings disappeared not long after their initial release; almost as soon as the “golden age of soul” came to an end these recordings were valued by collectors and aficionados, whose dedication helped keep the music alive.

Funk and soul came from a singles world, found new life in cut-up snippets and extended compilations, and now through the digital download. Yet this confirms the ongoing relevance of the DJ. There will always be a demand for musical concierges; it takes a dedicated individual to navigate the sheer number of musical choices available today. The role of the DJ has moved beyond crate-digging and into the role of contextualiser.


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VA - Urban Classics 1 and 2 (87, 88, 101min mb)

Urban Classics, the first of three volumes, is a fine snapshot of the sound of London. Side one is all James Brown rarities (at the time) and featured tracks that were barely a decade old like “Blow Your Head” and “Don’t Tell It,” which became much less obscure after being sampled in “Public Enemy #1” and “Poetry” by Boogie Down Productions. Side two was a mix of stepping soul, jazzy grooves and ballads including Roy Ayers’ “Everybody Loves the Sunshine”: still Camden Town’s unofficial anthem after 30 years. This compilation at the time was a soundtrack to a hip, culturally aware lifestyle. That called for a part 2 and one year later Urban Classics 2 saw the light. Another great set of undeniable classics from the funk and soul vaults, this time compiled by Norman Cook. The purists & collectors will probably disagree with such sought after gems as these being released as a compilation, but hey, why should they keep all these funkysheeeeeet classics to themselves ?.



VA - Urban Classics 1 (^ 300mb)

01 - The Macks - Cross The Tracks (3:22)
02 - Jackson Sisters - I Believe In Miracles (3:00)
03 - Bobby Byrd - I Know You Got Soul (3:09)
04 - James town - Don't Tell It (3:59)
05 - Fred Wesley & The JB's - Blow Your Head (4:46)
06 - Fred Wesley - House Party (3:56)
07 - Greg Diamond Bionic Boogie - Hot Butterfly (5:24)
08 - Johnny Bristol - Hang On In There, Baby (3:56)
09 - Roy Ayers Ubiquity - Everybody Loves The Sunshine (4:01)
10 - La Toya Jackson - Camp Kuchi Kaia (3:35)
11 - Gloria Gaynor - This Love Affair (4:18)
12 - Johnny Bristol - Memories Don't Leave Like People Do (3:56)
13 - The JB's - The Grunt (2:51)




VA - Urban Classics 2 (^ 296mb)

01 - James Brown - She's The One (3:02)
02 - Timmy Thomas - You're The Song I've Always Wanted To Sing (3:19)
03 - The Wild Magnolias - (Somebody Got) Soul, Soul Soul (6:16)
04 - The J.B.'s - Pass The Peas (3:15)
05 - Kool and The Gang - Funky Stuff (5:08)
06 - Foster Sylvers - Misdemeanor (2:23)
07 - Bobby Bird - Never Get Enough (3:16)
08 - Lyn Collins - Mr. Big Stuff (4:01)
09 - The Mob - I Dig Everything About You (2:31)
10 - Roy Ayers - Brother Green (5:41)
11 - Sweet Charles - Yes, It's You (3:13)
12 - Gregg Diamond - Cream (Always Rises To The Top) (4:35)
13 - James Brown - Papa Don't Make No Mess (4:30)


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