Funky Funky New Orleans 5

September 6, 2006

Title: Funky Funky New Orleans 5
Artists: Compilation
Label: Funky Delicacies (Tuff City Records)
Catalog No.: DEL CD 0072
Date: 2005

Old School hip-hop connoisseurs most likely identify the Tuff City Records label with its connection to early hip-hop. With an artist roster that included The 45 King, Cold Crush Brothers, Davy DMX, and Spoonie Gee, among others, the underground popularity of this label amongst true hip-hoppers is evident. However, Tuff City has channeled the majority of its creative energies into reissuing black music– a novel idea, since few labels in North America focus primarily on reissuing black music (it is widely known among black music collectors and scholars that most black music reissues come from Europe).

Funky Delicacies, one of several Tuff City subsidiaries, has released obscure yet timeless treasures on the 17 tracks of Funky Funky New Orleans 5. This compilation presents rare and unreleased music recorded from 1969-1976 by funk artists from New Orleans who are lesser known than many of their contemporaries. However, this does not suggest an inferior musical presentation. The compilation highlights quality musicianship and stylistic traits that are also found in the music of well-known artists. For instance, “Lover and a Friend,” recorded by Eddie Bo and Inez Cheatham, is reminiscent of Carla Thomas and Otis Redding’s recording of “Tramp.” Muchos Plus’s recording of “Funky Sheriff” presents a groove that puts one in the mindset of War’s “Me and Baby Brother.” “Tweedie Pie,” recorded by Raymond Winnfield, uses the same rhythmic foundation as King Floyd’s recording of “Groove Me.” Most striking is the Dome City Orchestra’s recording of “Higher, Higher,” which is a spin-off of Earth, Wind & Fire’s “That’s The Way of The World.” While there are some differences in dialect, vocal quality and degree of rhythmic cohesiveness, the stylistic similarities demonstrate essential funk characteristics such as earthy grooves that are bass heavy, collective or communal attitudes emphasizing the party environment, and percussive vocal and instrumental delivery, along with others that are geographically reinterpreted.

There are no liner notes, only track listings and credits. The CD cover brandishes images of artists in funky apparel reflecting the funky style of New Orleans, which is more simplistic than the style of artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire, the Ohio Players, and Kool & the Gang. In short, Funky Funky New Orleans 5 is a pleasant surprise for those who are not only interested in dancing, but who also want to experience funk music performed by artists who deserve acknowledgement for their contributions to the funk tradition.

Posted by Tyron Cooper

Editor’s note: This is the 5th release in Tuff City’s Funky Funky New Orleans series and is also available on LP.