Various Artists - Rare Funk Uncovered (Fifteen Essential Ghetto Gems) (CD 2004)

One of those impulse buys but certainly don't regret it at the price.

Certainly you have to be a funk fan and pretty open-minded to enjoy it but there is plenty to enjoy.

I'm a funk fan but no expert and didn't know any of these artists so I think it's fair to confirm the 'Rare' in the title. Also, and I'm guessing here, but most of these tracks seem to have been taken from the original vinyl - the sound quality is pretty low but listenable.

As to the music, well, there are pretty much all the funk variations here from obvious James Brown rip offs (Flintstone Shuffle) to some very nice jazz-tinged tunes (Red Snow - great flute and vibes!) and a couple of tunes that display the label's roots in Northern Soul (You can't hide the real you).

There's nothing here that is really wonderful but there is something for everyone and only a couple of real stinkers.

Worth getting at the right price if you're a broad-minded funk fan.

The label looks interesting and specialises in hard to find soul and funk tunes and obviously started off servicing the Northern Soul market. I can't say I've bought anything else on the label as I'm a bit more mainstream myself but good luck to them.