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10 |
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Various Artists |
| Jamaica to Toronto: Soul, Funk & Reggae 1967-1974 |
| Light In The Attic | 2007 | Album |
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The seemingly unlikely musical pairing of the Land of Wood and Water and Canada’s largest city produced some truly inspiring and soulful biscuits that are given a most necessary and appreciated revival decades after their original release dates. I’ve always maintained that the world is bettered by signature soul sounds, and this comp does wonders reminding us all that the tastiest licks and tip top vocal cuts should never be forgotten, lest we find ourselves mired in a muck of cheap, imitative radio slop. From the opening “Fugitive Song,” by Jo-Jo and the Fugitives, to Wayne McGhie’s “Here We Go Again,” the musicianship never stops, packed with horn bleating, drum rolls, backing harmonies and everything you’d hope a quality spin would provide. Jackie Mittoo’s “Grand Funk” is just that, overflowing with organ grinding and kit slapping that answers to no one. Johnnie Osbourne’s “African Wake,” instrumental hits on all the right buttons, carving out an easy island sound floating somewhere between exaltation and contentious chill.
The line between reggae, soul and country is wonderfully blurred by Bob and Wisdom as they cover the singer, songwriter and actor Mac Davis’ “I Believe in Music,” laying down a thick baseline buoyed by a sultry ballpark organ, not to mention choice horn arrangements to embrace their outstanding harmonies. On the subject of covers, the Cougars do a deftly mournful take on the Temptation’s “I Wish It Would Rain,” borrowing a Detroit hit for a bit to fashion as their own. The Hitch-Hikers Feat. the Mighty Pope blaze through “Mr. Fortune,” offering up continuous drum rolls, additional percussion and slick trumpet work. Noel Ellis gives us a thick dub, full of laid-back grooves and sensuously echoed beats on “Memories,” affirming a deep Jamaican musical genius for slowed rhythms and lazy vibes, standing out among the more upbeat contributions.
This 16 track collection is pumped with can’t miss material by bands you’ve maybe never heard before, unless you were privy to the scene at that point in time. If you were, you’re a luckier and much older listener than I. Regardless, we can all dig the reissue of these remarkably talented creators work and hope to hear more as the crates are uncovered.
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| Sean Lambert |
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