Search - Mezz Mezzrow :: 1953-1954

Not quite...

Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 08/15/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a little disappointed. Had this package been mastered as 20 killer tracks of RARE INSTRUMENTAL '60s FUNK AND SOUL, I would have given it * * * * * - - however, the packaging promises that we're in for some JB influenced funk and soul...

and while its true that JB pretty much influenced EVERY soul group to come out in that era, most of these groups seem equally inspired by Wilson Pickett, Dyke and The Blazers, Jr. Walker and other rockin' soul groups of the era... ergo what you hear is some great (mostly garage band quality) instrumental soul... however, the JB influence is not prominent enough to warrant the album's title.



That said, if you like late '60s booty shaking rockin' soul... definitely grab this. My * * * rating reflects the fact that the packaging is misleading, so when I flipped the bread, I was kind of expecting something like Good God! - - That said, some tracks do kick booty... but if you want to hear some real JB influences funk, check out Florida Funk: 1968-1975 or Carolina Funk: First In Funk series (the Carolina one especially.)

Now that series delivers."