The benchmark for high-quality library music, KPM (Keith-Prowse-Maurice)'s huge, diverse pool of recordings, in addition to being extensively used in films and television programs, have long fascinated crate diggers, music producers, and record collectors. This "greensleeve" edition focuses on funk and soul, with composition and arrangement expertise of Keith Mansfield and Alan Hawkshaw reminding us why they are the dream team of this stuff. The latter musician's groovy mod-funk Hammond stylings are easily the highlight of the bunch—check out "Beat Me 'til I'm Blue," reminiscent of break classic "The Champ," which Hawkshaw famously played on, as well as "Rocky Mountain Runabout," and "Senior Thump" which also sound as if lifted from The Mohawks recordings. The Big Beat series is considered KPM's best, having been sampled by artists like Talib Kweli, Jay-Z, Madlib, Gnarls Barkley, and more, and the og pressings go for a lot of money, don't miss out!

• music label: Tummy Touch 1969 / 2020

reviewed by singing in japanese 03/2020