Special reissue of one of Soul Jazz's most popular compilations, originally released in 2001. Our original review: I haven't been this excited about a compilation in a long time. Top to bottom, this is the shit. Before the days of robo ODs, Prowlers and pimpin scrimp consumption, Nawlins was famous for the funk. And like the C-Money bounce music of now the funk coming out of N.O. had a completely different sound from its contemporaries. They got that special brand of funk down there: the tempo and chunk go right along with their unique living style and culture. The rhythms are all off-kilter, banging around the beat with hard to define paces. This is the shit you want but cant pay for: Eddie Bo's "Hook and Sling(1)," The Meters' "Handclappin Song(2)" and "Just Kissed My Baby(3)," Professor Longhair's "Big Chief(4)," Mary Jane Hooper's "I've Got Reasons(5)," The Explosions' "Hip Drop(6)," Aaron Neville's "Hercules(7)," and so many more rare 45 classics from The Gaturs, Allen Toussaint, Dr John, etc. Leave it to Soul Jazz Records out of London to come up with the perfect New Orleans funk comp. Beautiful cover (righteously simple), 3LPs with illustrated sleeves and a full-size color booklet round out the package.

reviewed by the mgmnt