Nasty Funk/Soul Head Music
visuals | Philadelphia PA | 09/03/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I will try my best to keep this review as simple as possible, But I must say that everything the above reviewer said is true in reference to this funky piece. This is a long lost gem worth digging up from any crate you can find it in.The group puts me in the mind of other great funk groups from the same era but at the same time has elements that cannot be classified or said to be knocked off from another group's style...Truly a style of their own. When I listen I hear hints of spices from groups like Mandrill, Ripple, Black Heat, Parliament/Funkadelic-Bootsy, but also a dash of Leroy Hutson (whom was actually Rasputin Stash's lablemate on Curtom). At times, The violins paint Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra's hypnotizing stringwork on the canvas. True, While Barry & Leroy were not widely considered Funk artists, Rasputin Stash managed to incorporate sweet soul into their nasty funk creating a distinct style and that is what stands out on this disc for me.This piece is a must have for crate diggers interested in top-notch nasty funk. You simply cannot like 70's funk and not like this groups talent. The instrumentation on the funk tracks is without a doubt NASTEEEEE but check this....These cats can actually SING! Just dig the ballads. Martin Dumas Jr, The brother on the cover that sits on the bike with the blow-out fro and lambchop sideburns topped off with the pointed goatee (I guess the devil made him do it), plays lead & rhythm guitar but can also sing...his guitar licks put me the in mind of Isaac Hayes "Shaft" at times (Listen to how he chops & scratches the Wah-Wah guitar on The Devil Made Me Do It) but also his singing has a Frankie Beverly type mellow and the music on certain tracks has a Maze style...the sound is rich and clean with everything up front creating the perfect feel. Did I mention that these cats can sing??? ha! Dig the harmony on cuts such as "I See Your Face, I Can Feel Your Jones, Giving Way' My Love & a couple others...These cats are amazing! Martin Dumas on lead/rhythm guitar & vocals, Paul Coleman on keyboards and vocals, Ernest Donaldson on drums & Billy Butler carrying the role as the funky bass player...A'La Larry Graham, Master of the slap-bass style & Mark Adams (Mr.Mark) from funk group "Slave". I cannot stress how good I feel just hearing this long lost but not forgotten LP re-issued on disc. Unfortunately, Real music like this is now obsolete in these days of the weak,no talent having "so-called" artists that have never even picked up an instrument in all their born days
let alone sing a real note from the heart without the help of voice-boxes and synthesizers....and dig this...MAKE MILLIONS off OF IT! Rasputin Stash along with countless other artists that have never been heard of by the masses never actually got the credit that they were due.In closing, I would say that this disc is a must have for you if you dig groups like Mandrill, Ripple, Black Heat, Parliament/Funkadelic-Bootsy, Sun, Slave, Ohio Players, The Counts, War, Kool & The Gang (pre JT Taylor)....I can go on and on with great under-appreciated artists. Buy this disc without hesitation funk lovers....I guarantee you like it. Trust me on this! Head Music to the fullest. Just pick your favorite poisons and apply them. Twist up a stogie and get some ice-cold beer. You are in for some good head music."
Sweet funk.
Aaron Pontin | 11/22/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I search far and wide for some good hard funk and this joint definitely fits the bill. Sure, there are a few ballads (not a big fan of them) on here, but the rest is pure lead slabs of goooooood funk. Don't pass this one up. If you dig Mandrill or some of the older Cameo stuff you'll like this."
Tripped Out Soul, Curtom Style !
Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 12/23/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ouch ! I've refered to this long out of print group in my of my reviews... and here it is... The best way to describe them is early '70s black rock/funky soul... Typical to most of those Curtom (Curtis Mayfield label)releases the sound is full, fat and thick... you really feel everything from the top to the bottom, the kicks, the snap of snare and conga, the bite of the high hat and rhythm guitar... the screaming vocals. - - A band with a sound of their own, I can only say that if you dig those early '70s black action sound tracks, in fact early '70s soul in general, this group is this bomb. - - Throwing a house party, throw down HIT IT AND PASS PASS IT, I CAN FEEL YOUR LOVE JONES and YOU OPENED UP MY MIND... if the grooves aren't enough to get things smoking, its possible everyone's already litten up a bit too much already ! ! ! (Some great slower jams too !) - - DANCE WITH ME, by the way is JUNGLE FUNK to the extreme (remember the Kay-Gees and James Brown's BODY HEAT ?)Prior to recording the material from which this compilation comes (early/mid '70s), they recorded an ultra heavy album for Cotillion in 1971... for some reason my copy seems to have disappeared, so if anyone ever sees one floating around, please let me know ! ! !"
Track Listings (19) - Disc #1