Search - Various Artists :: Midwest Funk: Funk 45's From Tornado Alley

Funk Heaven

DW | chicago, IL | 05/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like the Keb Darge, Sound of Funk and Luv N' Haight compilations, you'll think you've died and gone to funk heaven with Midwest Funk. There's no disco or other weak material. Just solid soul-funk.



Get it and get funktified.



[DW]"

Right up there with the best !

Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 03/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In recent years a lot of DJs have been going through their bins, dusting off the rarest of the rare vinyl they can find and releasing funk to a funk crazed listening public... one at present more than willing and able to go beyond the standard fare of James Brown, P-Funk and Kool and the Gang albums found at most stores... Much to my delight almost none of these albums fall short of their claims of funkyness... in fact, most go beyond expectation... MIDWEST FUNK: Funk 45's from Tornado Alley is the latest ditty added to my own bin, and I must say, one of the best to date... (I read one review calling it the funkiest album of all time... I'd say that after giving a listen the arguement is pretty strong in its favor!)



As for the sound... its very interesting... a mixture of raw and gritty southern funk (remember Texas Thunder Soul - - how about Archie Bell and the Drells ?) meets the bass and horn bumpin' east bay funk... Though some cuts have a bit of a low budget feel (*actually the album is very niceley mastered!)... there is also a strong sense of production tightness and the party and groove in all reign high... with one tight band after another whipping it... and each with their own sound No, this is definitely not a "hear one, hear them all" type production... Its a battle of the bands in an age when funkyness as well as individuality counted!



As for faves... too many tied for first in this album of wailing twangy guitar, ultra greasy organ, funky drummers and fired up horn sections... all in all I'd say if you don't get this album, you simply haven't gotten the funk ! - - and by the way, the album is GOOOOOOOOD straight through... all grease, no fillers !



Six stars...! ! !"

AN OASIS OF FONK!!!!!

Martin L. King | 01/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this keeps me movin' TELL HER has been sampled on many occasions and i can see why. i am a sucka for that type of lyrical dynomite. MR. MACHINE is another one i love. it has that james brown feel. the singer on that..........i just love his delivery of the lyric. i dig SOULFUL PROCLAMATION, SAVE ME, and that one that tries to sound like CISSY STRUT. shoot, from beginning to end, it is a nice fonky ride. i hate getting off when it ends, so i just rev it up again, ya dig me!!!!"