Funk Night US レコード& CD

Review: The on point Funk Night label returns with these raw and emotive jams from Rickey Calloway & The Tennessee Band. The tidy two track 7" opens with the raw soul jazz sounds of 'Everybody Say Yeah' with its blasts of horns, expressive vocals and rolling rhythm section all cutting deep. Flip it over for the slightly more loose feeling 'Mr Meaner,' an instrumental version with the backing singers left in place to inject some human warmth to the lo-fi grooves.

Review: Funk Night cop a couple of fine funk gems here from Rickey Calloway. He is an r&b singer, as well as a rhythm guitar musician and songwriter from Jacksonville, Florida. His Tennessee Band helps him serve up funk that comes direct from the 70s, James Brown style. Both of the singles here are [rimed to fire up the floor, with 'Do It On The One (Stay In The Pocket)' the more direct of the two and the flip side 'Ain't It A Crime' (instrumental) going deeper.

Review: The Great Revivers continue their unassailable 2014 assault on the record boxes of funk selectors everywhere with yet another killer seven for the Funk Night label. Brashly titled "Don't Mess with GR" may be, but this Russian quartet always prefer to let their musicianship do the talking and you can't fault the Great Revivers funk here as three odd minutes of prime dirtiness unfolds driven by a killer drum beat. It's complemented well by the more uptempo jam that is "Hard Way To Go" and lays down a marker for what to expect from the Great Revivers forthcoming album.

Review: A fifth slab of 7" shaped funk live and direct from St. Petersburg arrives with the Great Revivers offering another Funk Night release that will invariably keep themselves busy on the turntables of funk establishments everywhere. Lead cut "Rhino's Walk" should be titled "Rhino's Strut" in truth given the sheer confidence the Revivers display as it progresses along driven by a killer drum break. Flip the Rhino over and Great Revivers are on more of a downbeat funk flex with "Dead Dipping" which is all about that frazzled organ. Big up Frank Raines and the Funk Night crew for this one!

Review: Joe Baer Magnant and The Ready bring that sweet sweet soul sound to Funk Night for a tasty 7" packed with good time grooves and a lil dose of the blues. Magnant is an accomplished guitarist who's been striking out on his own more recently, and his chops are in full effect on the heavy-grooving "Honey Stung". There are serious amounts of funk in those drums, and some punch in the brass section, but really this one belongs to Magnant's expressive playing. He's equally compelling on the B-side, which houses more downbeat cut "Orozco's Guarantee".

Review: Given that both have eclectic musical tastes and play a multitude of instruments, it makes perfect sense that Misha Paniflov and Shawn Lee have ended up working together on a handful of seven-inch singles. 'Volkswagenesque', the opening gambit from the pair's latest "45", is another strong sonic statement. It boasts the sun-kissed warmth and laidback vibe heard on many of Lee's productions, with the duo wrapping glistening guitars, gravelly funk-rock solos, spacey synths and warming bass around a languid, percussion-rich rhythm track. You'll find more weighty, beautifully played percussion on flipside 'Miles Away', a more low-slung and dancefloor-ready affair that features some excellent electric piano playing from Lee.

Review: Sunsay & The Soul Surfers' cover of William DeVaughn's 'Be Thankful For What You Got' is a smooth and classy rendition of the 1974 original. The funk and soul influences are evident in the laid-back groove and sultry vocals, creating a timeless and sophisticated sound. With Massive Attack's 1991 cover also gaining recognition, this song has become a staple in the genres of funk and soul. The 7' vinyl reissue from 2024 remains faithful to the original release, capturing the essence of the track in its entirety. The B-side features the instrumental version, providing musicians and DJs with a versatile tool for sampling and remixing. 'Be Thankful For What You Got' serves as a reminder to appreciate the things we have, both big and small, and to find contentment in the present moment.