Last night's Funk Factory

[jazz_pilgrim]

I thought I would list some of the tracks played on last night's Funk Factory hosted by Norman Jay broadcast on BBC Radio 2... A pretty strong set I think!

See what you funk fans make of these

He started off with a Kool and the Gang classic - Funky Stuff which is possibly my favourite Kool and the Gang funk track from that era. Dig the horn licks and the bass!

Then he played a track I didn't know from BT Express - If Don't Turn You On (You Oughta Leave It Alone) - I shall add it to the list of BT Express classics... I am sure I shall get to like that one!! Any of you guys like that one?

Then he played a seminal (my new favourite word!) classic from Reuben Wilson - Got To Get Your Own - which I and my good friends in the Jazz Pilgrims really used to get down to! Great driving funky rhythms with Reuben's organ solos weaving in and out of the beat. Essential! Interesting to see from the playlist that Norman also played the track from the Charly RnB compilation that Got To Get Your Own was re-issued on and I have in my collection. I have never seen the original LP, but I know it was very rare ...

In the Blaxploitation film section he picked out Youngblood and played War's Flying Machine from that LP. Another one of those latin-tinged jazzy (flute) funky dance tracks that War were so good at. I am surprised that War don't get a greater mention on these pages than they do!

He then played a track that up until last Friday night I had never heard before! I first heard it on the Friday night funk and disco show that appears on JazzFM lastweekend, and Norman played it again last night!! Now I have heard twice in one week (and recorded it onto MD twice as well!! :D) It was Hidden Strength - Hustle On Up To The Bump. Anybody know that one? It really is seriously good! :D And it has just got itself re-issued on CD as we speak!!

He played a cut from one of Instant Funk's Salsoul LPs called Don't You wanna Funk?. Don't know that one but hopefully I have it somewhere ..

I didn't know the other tracks but he played a very interesting number from Olympic Runners called Grab It which I liked instantly!

Do those tracks bring back good memories for any of you other funk fans?

[QUINNY]

JAZZ: Sounds like it could have been the best to date. I'd only just got back off holiday so didn't tune in.
Reuben Wilson was a great track that I used to love. Can't find my 7" copy of it anywhere and I don't have a soundcard in my computer. So I've missed it.
Hidden Strength was a track I listed in one of my early posts. It was a good track but I have to admit I didn't play it that much. It was a filler rather than a thriller. I'm at odds as to why it's suddenly become so hip. It was on a relatively major label, UA in the UK.
Try listening to Radio 6 on Friday or Saturday (repeat) 7 - 10 p.m. with Craig Charles Funk Show. It's good 'n' funky.

[jazz_pilgrim]

JAZZ: Sounds like it could have been the best to date. I'd only just got back off holiday so didn't tune in.
Reuben Wilson was a great track that I used to love. Can't find my 7" copy of it anywhere and I don't have a soundcard in my computer. So I've missed it.
Hidden Strength was a track I listed in one of my early posts. It was a good track but I have to admit I didn't play it that much. It was a filler rather than a thriller. I'm at odds as to why it's suddenly become so hip. It was on a relatively major label, UA in the UK.
Try listening to Radio 6 on Friday or Saturday (repeat) 7 - 10 p.m. with Craig Charles Funk Show. It's good 'n' funky.

First, what label was your 7" of Reuben Wilson on? If you can find it.
..
The reason why Hidden Strength has been played on the specialist shows this week is that, as I said, Soul Brother records have just released it on CD for the first time. I have only heard this track for the first time ever this week, and I must admit, it has a spaced out funky rhythm that I kinda like! Could be a grower, m'thinks.

Is Radio 6 on DAB? What sort of funk does Craig Charles play ?

I might consider getting the portable that is out (which can connect to MD) or a tuner for Xmas - though I gather they are rather hot on the juice (=electricity use) - so the guy in the shop told me ... But then again I don't like the look of the portable very much ...

[QUINNY]

Jazz: Re Reuben Wilson: Purely from memory it was on Chess I think, although after 25 years......
Don't know whether or not Radio 6 is on DAB. I listen to it on headphones through a set top box, going into video recorder, going into my minidisc. I can only listen to it if no-one else in the family wants to watch or record something from the digibox. That's why I reckon I'll have to buy something for the conservatory. A DAB tuner looks fairly promising, but if I could get a decent signal into a digibox, that would give me much better TV reception on many more channels, plus great quality Radio on a selection. There's never a straightforward answer.

[sfbeary]

hey jazz_pilgrim,

yes, i have a promo-only 12" of the hidden strength track. it goes on and on for 10 minutes (hustlin' and bumpin' longer than the album version, perhaps TOO long!)

thanks for reminding me to listen to funk factory again - i liked the one show i've heard so far.

take care,
barry