Ok, yes, these regional funk comps are getting totally out of control, but anyone who's picked up a Jazzman release in the past will tell you these dudes do not half step. (Plus, it's co-released by Stones Throw's equally solid Now Again imprint.) Here, we've got 22 gritty funk jams from down south, spanning about a 10 year period in the history of the collective Carolinas' funk scenes. Surprisingly, this stuff is every bit as good as the rarities from states more commonly associated with funky business. There's tracks from Now Again favorites Carleen & The Groovers(1), JB impersonator Dynamite Singletary ("Super Good(2)"), The Black Exotics ("Theme of Blackbyrds(3)"), Primitive ("Creation of Music(4)"), the awesomely named Communicators & Black Experience Band ("The Road(5)"), Paul Burton with my personal favorite "So Very Hard To Make It (Without You)(6)" and lots of artists that you've more than likely never heard of but won't wanna forget after hearing. EXTENSIVE liner notes as usual, filling a fat 23 page booklet with loads of rare photos and more information than you ever thought you'd need on the Carolinas. P.S. Tyler Hansborough must be stopped. 22 tracks; 75 minutes total.

reviewed by Larri Byrd