Voodoo fire! Rare, deep, and HEAVY funk from N'awlins (1951 - 77) compiled by Soul Jazz Records, and once again, the London label slays it. The syncopated rhythms of Crescent City funk "developed out of a gumbo mix of New Orlean local flavors - rhythm and blues, Mardi Gras Indians, the street percussion Second Line of the Jazz Funeral and Marching bands, Caribbean rhumba and mambo rhythms," and each of the incredibly delicious ingredients are fully represented on the 18-track compilation, which comes housed in a heavyweight double gatefold sleeve w/ extensive liner note, photos, and digital download code. Check out super rare, one-off cuts like "Stay" by Chuck Colbert and "Y'er Comes The Funky Man" Bob French's Storyville Jazz Band, or listen to "hard-core classic funk productions" by the likes of Eddie Bo ("Can You handle It"), Allen Toussaint (Eldridge Holmes "Pop, Popcorn Children"; Lou Johnson "Frisco Here I Come"; "Let The Groove Move You "Gus 'The Groove' Lewis) and more.

• gatefold sleeves
• digital download included
• extensive liner notes
• music label: Soul Jazz Records 2016

reviewed by donut savage 12/2016