Soul Cal: Funky Disco & Modern Soul, 1971–82 is a compilation album featuring various disco, Soul, and funk artists. Released on May 1, 2012, on Now-Again Records, a subsidiary of Stones Throw Records, the collection contains 15 songs and an 80-page book which summarizes the artists' backstories and recording processes.[1]
| Soul Cal: Funky Disco & Modern Soul, 1971-82 | |
|---|---|
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| Compilation album by Various artists | |
| Released | May 1, 2012 |
| Recorded | 1971–1982 |
| Genre | Disco, soul, funk, psychedelic soul |
| Length | 63:53 |
| Language | English |
| Label | Now-Again Records, Stones Throw |
Reception
editJoe Muggs of The Wire remarked that the album encapsulates "the retro-utopian vision of a past where every smalltown record store or garage in the US might have hidden a virtuosic funk outfit; the thrill of knowing that jobbing musicians might be getting paid for the first time; plus the bittersweet knowledge that those that passed on are getting deserved recognition. And all that before you get the thrill of the music itself."[2] Cyril Cordor of Okayplayer wrote that "Soul Cal may not have the same intellectual intrigue of Now Again compilations on Zambian psych-rock or Afro-spiritual jazz, but (Stones Throw general manager Egon) Alapatt wholeheartedly accomplishes this task with his meticulous handling and care of these bands’ precious music and stories."[3]
Allmusic's Fred Thomas said: "To be sure, this collection and book are pure record-nerd fare, even more fine-tuned for those already versed in funk 45 obsession and looking to get even deeper into hyper obscure subgenres and micro-histories."[4] Jim Farber of the New York Daily News suggested that the set "of obscure, American indie-R&B acts [...] bridged the gap between disco and soul with tracks that sound like outtakes from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack."[5] The Quietus named the album to its list of 2012's best reissues, compilations, mixes & live albums.[6]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "You Can Be a Star" | Luther Davis | 4:36 |
| 2. | "Don't Get Discouraged" | U.P.C. All Stars | 3:32 |
| 3. | "Wake Up" | Pure Essence | 6:08 |
| 4. | "Ecology" | Anibus | 4:00 |
| 5. | "Put a Smile on Time" | Rhythm Machine | 3:53 |
| 6. | "I'm Gonna Miss You Girl" | Ellis & Cephas | 2:51 |
| 7. | "It's a Bad Feeling" | Mixed Sugar | 3:03 |
| 8. | "Sha-La-La" | Mixed Feelings | 3:28 |
| 9. | "What It Takes to Live" | Key & Cleary | 3:12 |
| 10. | "Love Is" | Leon Mitchison & the Eastex Freeway Band | 4:17 |
| 11. | "Keep Running Away" | Clifford Nyren | 2:56 |
| 12. | "Things Cannot Stop Forever" | Stanton Davis' Ghetto/Mysticism | 6:06 |
| 13. | "The Stranger" | C. Henry Woods Troupe | 8:33 |
| 14. | "Free Your Mind" | Record Player | 3:50 |
| 15. | "Get Down" | Colors of Love Choir / Freedom Express | 3:28 |
References
edit- ^ Reynolds, Rachel (April 12, 2012). "You Can Be A Star!". KCRW. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
- ^ Muggs, Joe (April 2012). "A-Z Soundcheck". The Wire. 1 (338): 61. ISSN 0952-0686.
- ^ Cordor, Cyril. "Reviews: Various Artists - 'Soul Cal: Funky Disco & Modern Soul, 1971-82'". Okayplayer. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
- ^ Thomas, Fred. "Various Artists - Soul Cal: Disco & Modern Soul, 1971-1982 - Review". Allmusic. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
- ^ Farber, Jim (April 8, 2012). "Jim Farber's Top Ten in Music for Week of April 8, 2012". New York Daily News. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
- ^ Gibb, Rory (December 29, 2012). "Past Caring: 2012's Best Reissues, Compilations, Mixes & Live Albums". The Quietus. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
External links
edit- Soul Cal: Funky Disco & Modern Soul, 1971-82 at Now-Again Records