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SWEET FUNK AND BEAT-HEAVY BALLADS 1968-1975
This anthology follows Now-Again’s Loving On The Flipside, issued more than a decade ago. And that anthology itself got its start in a different time, a decade even earlier – the era in which Now-Again’s Egon and his friends chased down funk 45s and the odd LP for their testosterone riddled, aggressive sound. Often times the funk song on one of their chosen is would be the throw-away b-side, the hasty afterthought the band cobbled together the night before hitting – or while in – the studio because they’d put all of their energies into writing the amazing ballad that would ensure their entry in soul’s history books.
Every once in a while, that funk song they coveted could have been – in an alternate universe – a ballad. The Third Guitar’s “Baby Don’t Cry,” El Pooks* “I Could Do The Impossible” and Spider Harrison’s “Beautiful Day” all fit into this category. That realization notwithstanding, more often than not they shined over the ballads to get to the tough stuff.
Then they started flipping those funk records over to find some loving on the flip side. Some marvellous tunes were there to be found.
This is the long awaited follow up. Contained within this anthology are some of the greatest soul ballads that go sweet with a beat – or, to follow our tagline, epitomize “sweet funk.” Most of these songs have never been compiled. Some have never been issued in any form. Some, like the Ledgends entry here, were sampled to great success (in that case for Freddie Gibbs and Madlib’s “Deeper”). Some haven’t been sampled, but, like Herb Johnson’s entry, are patiently awaiting their day.
It should go without saying that we’re proud to present this music in good conscience; with the full participation of everyone but the most obscure names contained within. And, for those who we’ve not yet been able to contact, this is our message: We’ve found your brethren, we’ve placed them beside you on an album that we hope you feel is befitting of your collective contributions to soul music and now we’re just waiting for you. Though the music you recorded is from the years past, vour time is now.
Tracklist:
Side A –
Del Jones – The Last Letter
Herb Johnson – Where Are You
Will You be There
Little Beaver – Do Right Man
Soul Superiors – Trust In Me Baby
Outback – Strangers In Our Homeland
The Montecarlos – If You Leave
Words Of Wisdom – You Made Me Everything
Side B –
Soul Charges – My Heart Beats For You
The Power Of Attorney – I’m Just Your Clown
James Reese – Throwing Stones (Kenny Dope Mix)
Richard Marks – I’m With You Love
Bonnie Floyd – You’re My Everything
The Ledgends – A Fool For You
Apple & The Three Oranges – Moonlight
Credits:
This anthology produced by Eothen Alapatt.
Restoration and remastering by Jason Bitner.
Art direction by Errol F. Richardson.
Vinyl transfers and production coordination by Tanner McCrary.
LP, Digital. 2025. NA5282.
