Free Association.

Slaughter Theme
James Brown & Fred Wesley
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off OST
Polydor : 1973
[Listen] [Buy]

Jungle Love
The Time
Ice Cream Castle
Warner Bros. : 1984
[Listen] [Buy]

The Deacon
Brute Force
Brute Force
Sepia Tone : 1970
[Listen] [Buy]

It's as random as I could make it, once again. The lack of activity around here has led me to drop all the themes for a while, and get back to basics. Great tunes, insight [hopefully], and entertainment. As such, it's a loose selection of tunes that have been scorching up our turntables for a while, whether used in mixes or used as something sweet to listen to as the evenings wind down.

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Up first, a dusty gem from James Brown and his JBs. The movie soundtrack to Slaughter's Big Rip-Off, a classic Jim Brown vehicle [the second Slaughter film], was given over to JB's unmistakable funk style. An ominous opening, complete with stuttering strings and JB's voice, gives way to full-on funk. A dark and groovy gem from the era. Listen out for the sweet guitar-fronted break into major chords around [2:25], a gorgeous little bridge before we get swept back into the head.

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Next, we have the Time. Do they really need an introduction? Is there anyone out there not aware of their charm? Referenced many times in Kevin Smith's "Jay and Silent Bob" universe [like here, for example], this is the classic jam, the one that put them on the map. It's got it all; heavy disco-era synths, the thick electronic vibe, and the floor-shaking chorus [anyone else coming in with the "oh-ee-oh-ee-oh" at home, right on cue?]. For 1984, the song's [and the band, for that matter] has aged remarkably well, sitting on that crossroads of Rick James-esque sex and bravado fault line, where distorted funk hit the mainstream and got people thinking dirty things.

I fucking love the breakdown where Jesse Johnson's guitar solo takes over and the bass drops out leaving us with drums and guitars alone, lost in our own handclapping to the beat. I'll take that chorus to the grave. [not to mention the next track on the album, the rather blunt slow-dancer "If the Kid Can't Make You Come"]

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Up next, a lost classic from Ohio's own Brute Force. For my money, it's the anchor of this, their one and only album. Heavily influenced by the likes of Cymande and other bands that had perfected that africa/funk sound, they let it all hang out on his LP. Each track is chock-full of delicious horn arrangements and plenty of jazz flourish, held together with an incredible rhythm section and a profound understanding of funk. If you can get your hands on this, I'd strongly recommend you do. It's worth splashing out the extra cash to get a record of progressive funk well ahead of its time.

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Another weird trio tomorrow. I'm trying to get these wheels turning again, I promise!