It's been said before, but it bears repeating: there's no way to really give a good description of these Cult Cargo comps in blurb form. To really appreciate these lovingly researched, carefully compiled little treasure troves, you gotta get it home, crack open that (EXTENSIVE) booklet full of liner notes and rare pics, and immerse yourself in the experience. With that out of the way, here's the cut and dry on this new one from Lab faves, the Numero Group: "The second in our series of explorations of the pan-American funk experience, Cult Cargo: Grand Bahama Goombay is a deep overview of funky Nassau's redheaded sister city, Freeport, GBI. From 1969-1976, Frank Penn's GBI studio and label cranked out a dozen LPs and twice as many singles, all infected with the Miami sounds drifting in over the 100 mile strait. The catalog is a fruity blend of rake and scrape, bush, junkanoo, calypso, reggae, and of course, goombay, with a twist of American soul." If that kinda thing doesn't get your nerdus motor revving, you're on the wrong site. For audio confirmation, check Sylvia Hall's office favorite "Don't Touch That Thing(1)," Jay Mitchell's "I Am The Man For You Baby(2)," Ozzie Hall's version of Brubeck's "Take Five(3)," Frank Penn's "Gimme Some Skin(4)" or the outstanding pair of tunes from the Mustangs, "Watcha Gonna Do 'Bout It(5)" and "The Time For Loving Is Now(6)." 16 tracks; 76 minutes.

reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red