Bay Area Funk 2

"Bay Area Funk 2" – The second volume from Ubiquity records of great funk and soul from around the bay area. Songs are from the '60s and '70s and are for the most part from lesser known artists. The styles vary widely from bluesy soul to psychedelic funk to more latin flavors, but it's all really good and really funky. Liner notes have some interesting facts and photos. All of these songs are great so listen and learn some Bay Area history. FCC clean.
My Picks: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8
Katie P. 7/21/06

1)Starts with some nice horn hits. Lowdown sister soul. Simmering midtempo that's tough and has some serious attitude. Nice wah-wah guitar and great female vocals.
2)Biting wah-wah guitar with some nice organ. Solid midtempo funk. Nice male harmonized vocals. Ooo, this is funky!
3)Lowdown bass line with party noise in the background (hand claps, shouts, etc.). Solid organ, guitar, and a nice horn section. Midtempo groover. Fun instrumental.
4)Slower creeping bass line. Guitar is added along with vocals and horns. A bit more on the soul side with a funky flavor.
5)Funky and tough female vocals! Solid midtempo walk. Nice guitars, a little bluesy, but very funky.
6)Extended intro with horn hits. Goes into an uptempo number with driving horns and guitars. Psychedelic funk. Male vocals have a James Brown quality, but don't sound exactly like him.
7)Solid midtempo with a nice bass line, excellent horn section and lots of percussion. Fun instrumental with a latin flavor.
8)Low driving bass line. Solid fast midtempo. Great layers of vocals and harmonies. Minimal instruments, but the vocal layers make up for it. Wow!! This is seriously funky soul.
9)Slower midtempo groover. Female vocals with simple guitar and heavy bass line. Some nice piano and organ in there too.
10)Organ and guitar along with solid midtempo drums. Sassy female vocals. Cute funky song.
11)Tough organ and guitar. Pounding funky song. Some spoken/sung parts as well as layered vocals.
12)Oooo, nice bongos (or maybe congas). Funky organ and guitar with a solid midtempo beat. Has a New Orleans sound, but also some latin flavor.
13)Bouncy guitar funk. Male vocals and some nice horn hits here and there. Faster midtempo. Damn!
14)Lowdown organ to start. Lightens up a bit with horns and vocals. Nice soul.
15)Solid midtempo with heavy bass line and lots of percussion. Smooth saxophones along with piano. Jazzy yet funky instrumental.