Superfunk Vol.1

SuperFunk's a solid compilation of obscure funk from the late '60s and '70s, seven of the 20 songs making their first appearance on any release, though it's not up to the same level as the best work by the best practitioners of the style. Denise LaSalle is the best-known artist here, which gives you some idea of how deeply the compilers journeyed into the vaults. There's a satisfying variety to the selections as well, including instrumental workouts, tough emotional female vocals, and kinda goofy things like Larry & Tommy's previously unissued "Here Comes the Judge." James Brown, to no one's surprise, casts a long shadow on some of the cuts, like the Houston Outlaws' "Soul Power," but he's certainly a good model to emulate. Several cuts are garnished by those period squiggly sounds whose source is hard to identify as either a keyboard or guitar. One genuine funk star, Bootsy Collins, does make an appearance as part of the Pace-Setters, who put out the instrumental 1972 single "Freedom and Justice," and also included his brother Phelps Collins. Little Ann's "I Got to Have You" is a good change of pace for its exuberant vocal and mighty tough, concise tandem guitar licks, some of which have enough reverb to make one think they might have been recorded in a freight elevator. [This U.K. import is not available for sale in North America.] ~ Richie Unterberger