10 Records That Never Leave My Box - Fabulous Hand

I am glad that I met Gabriel and he seemed keen to check out my box of funk. To come and play at some of the Blunted parties was a real treat cos before that I was getting threatened to change the records or get my face beaten in by certain twats at my nights in ‘black’ Wantage (as it was known many hundreds of years ago). I’m hoping I did a pretty good job for Wantage though, there were some good people that came to my nights in The Swan and I got the place all funky. Just some people were a little hostile to say the least. But yeah! Blunted….

I am thankful to be able to play my records out and I love doing it. I love to watch as I see people who know the tune I just dropped or singing along to a rare one and that gives me a warm cuddle of hope. Every time I play, I want people to have a laugh, make shapes, take the piss, wobble yer legs, all that stuff. A great challenge is when someone asks if I got any Mickey Finn (yeah it happens) and then I play something with a good break and see them grooving on it. I think we are all turning into DJs though, always on the look for new stuff and there are no limits on what you wanna listen too. People just don’t wanna get pigeon holed and no-one seems to take the piss like they used to.

I guess I see music at the very heart of culture; it is the driving force behind collected cultures as we move forward to an eclectic future. The Punks don’t mind the funk and the Funks are happy for a bit of Rockabilly, the Emo kids are thrashing out with the Metal freaks and they are freaking with the Hip Hoppers, the D&Bers are even chillin with the Morris Men and folk all dance together, a massive achievement for music culture since the days of chains, bars and knives on Brighton beach.

Unfortunately parts of England still have this violent mentality, shit, too much hippy in that. Do you think you have the freedom to listen to what ever you like without some hardcore, ‘I’m into this and that’s fuckin that’ telling you, NO! “You won’t be cool man, we’ll look fucking gay if we listen to Country & Western”. “Yeah but I don’t mind it, if we loop some of this stuff we could make some wicked D&B or a bit a Techno innit”. Probably just babble but it gives me something to think about. Enough ranting!

Thanks! Blunted and The Dugout, Boogie Basement and all the people that ask if I’d like to come play some records.

10 That Never Leave My Box - Fabulous Hand

Joseph Henry - Who’s the King - Desco

My favourite funk record of all time, it is the ultimate party vinyl and never fails on the dance floor. A horn section out of this world, bass line out of this world, drums so solid and relentless and Joseph Henry’s driving vocals make this the funky funk. “ I got it, I got the funk”, yes you did Joseph, yes you did! This record has funk so deep inside its grooves that it has the power to infest, take over and spread happiness across any dance floor. Play it loud and late, when you see the smiles on dancing faces, you shall have living proof of how contagious this record actually is.

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - Got a thing on my mind - Daptone

There is a link between my first two here, if anyone knows, good on ya.

It’s a classic now really, I’m sure most people know this record. Anyway, it is more than likely that the musicians who infected you with ‘Who’s the King’ are now, 3 years later and with Miss Jones, releasing another funk virus. Symptoms are, itchy feet from pounding drums and bass causing parts of your brain to react by moving your body in all manner of funky ways and sure as shit, some funky geetar to get right in on those hard to find funky motor neurons that let you find the groove as you should, hard hitting sister funk! Bosco Mann could possibly be a hero for me.

Two modern funkers that’ll have your party stormin’ by mid-night.

Latin Breed - I turn you on - Funk45

Sadly I cannot afford an original but hey, it’s the tune right. Oh it’s the tune all right, some serious funky organ and booty slappin’ bass just right for the romantic side of your funk. I’ve seen ya, bumpin’ & grindin’ and moving up, getting all sexual on the dance floor. Its an early player but is sure to bring the punters. This guy asked me to DJ his wedding I thought yeah fuck it, why not? Man the room was full of people who didn’t even know funk let alone want to hear it at this wedding. I shit you not though I had grannies throwing shapes, children poppin’ little grooves, the groom and his mates were down and everyone seemed to like this record. Of course they did not get most of my records and it was hard explaining to them that I have none of their requests but I trooped on and gave them the funk no one wanted except the Groom.

Bobby Holley - Moving Dancer - Weis

Deep soul records are something I just don’t have the balls to play. I don’t know why? Maybe I think at the time I’m not gonna fit it in to my set or maybe the depth of it will throw off the crowd I spent time on building up. So actually I have never played this record out. However! It never leaves my box purely because it is a treasured vinyl. Lyrically it’s tuff and it has a lovely step to it, not hugely rare or sought after and simply gets deep into me, true grits. Another deep soul vinyl of ilk would be Frankie Coe & The Mighty Soul Messengers ‘Get It Jerk’. I’m gonna have to get off my funky funk and play them soon.

The PCs LTD - Fast Man - Funk45

Party you want? Party you get with the PC’s ‘Fast Man’. Super horn driven funk that takes everything to another level, all the screams, shouts and laughs are what really get me involved. The half way break down with a shout of “F, A, S, T”… drop, back into party horns and watch the crowd go pignuts over it. Oh yes! Dynamite people, Dynamite!

The Blenders - Nothin’ but a party - Tramp

Tramp Records is the home of hardcore funk collector, Tobias Kirmayer and if you are looking for quality reissues of funk rarities or just something funky, then pay him a visit at tramprecords.com. Part 2 is the side for me, a very similar vibe to that of ‘Fast Man’ and they sit very well together, you’d almost believe they were the same band. Again, super funky horns, organ grinds and FAT bass but best of all the whole band are in there shouting and screaming like there is no funk in tomorrow, “ain’t nothin’ but a party”. Damn right when it comes to this record.

A.C. Reed - Boogalo - Tramp Nike

66’ Chicken pickin’ geetar with a thick spread of R&B/Boogaloo, a sure bet for a gritty start to the nights dirty Mod funk session. It turns empty dance floors into lively shapes of butt grinders and titty shakers. Is rather a prize vinyl in my humble opinion (not for price or limited availability), for its value in raw party funk is worth two of Brown’s bags I’m sure.
And for the people who’d never consider asking if I have a ‘Boogalo- Tramp’ that I could spin for them…..

James Brown - Sex Machine - Polydor

Everybody knows it, everybody loves it, nuff said.

The Maskman & The Agents - Stand Up - ViGoR

A strong funky message to the brothers and one of unity, vocalised in the charismatic funky vibe of Harmon Bethea aka Maskman. It’s clean production and tight musicianship hand over a Brown-esque track for Harmon to do his thang which he does so well. A lyrical genius that I don’t believe is credited, as he should be, the Maskman has had many recordings under many names/bands, spanning from the late 40’s to the early 80’s. Some of these are as whacky as it comes but ‘Stand Up’ I believe is a serious message and yet Harmon still makes it fun and funky and fucking rockin’ on the dance floor. Another track by these lads (as I’m sure you Hip Hop sample freaks know) is ‘One Eye Open’, stupidly badass breaks.

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