V/A - Psych Funk 101

Year of Release: 2009

Label: World Psychedelic Funk Classics

Genre: Psych-Rock / Psych-Funk / Avant-Garde

Music: 4.5

Sound: 3.5

Format Reviewed:LP

There's something about the music of the late 60s and early 70s;  just bear witness to the volume of quality psychedelic music that is being unearthed and rereleased.

The title Psych Funk 101 might sound a bit cheesy, but this is easily one of the best compilations I own.  It's released on a small label - World Psychedelic Funk Classics - that has only 1 other release (Brazilian Guitar Fuzz Bananas and the forthcoming Psych Funk Sa-Re-Ga!).  All I know of them that is that they're located in Cayenne, Wyoming USA and have a great nose for sniffing out psych funk classics.  I can't find a website or anything but labels such as Honest Jons, Stone's Throw and Now Again Records feel compelled to promote their material , in spite of no association with World Psychedelic Funk Classics.

K Spark's Hip Hop 101 - Not Associated with Psych Funk 101

On the back of the LP we're given some 'course notes' that the music within covers 1967-1980 and has been drawn from across the globe.

It is presented in a beautiful gateway double LP (and with a substantial booklet on the CD) and inside is a little excerpt on each featured track that includes the country of origin, year of release and a picture of the original cover (or just a picture of the 45 where there is no cover).  Whilst not as thoroughly researched as a Numero release, the effort in which they've compiled this album is noteworthy especially considering the quality of the material.

Side A - featuring tracks from Turkey, Nigeria, Ethiopia and South Korea - eases us into the world of psychedelia, which can often be difficult and fraught with mediocrity but luckily for us each track is quality.  The opener from Turkey features a nice break beat and funky bass supported by a multitude of traditional folk instruments including the prominent heavy fuzz of an electrified Saz.  This is followed by a very mellow track from Nigeria featuring a bassline that's sure to get your head nodding.  On the subject of Nigerian music, there's no shortage of great music from this era and I high recommend you delve into the gold mine that is the late 60s and entire 1970s if you dig rock and blues tinged with psychedelia.  Next up we're served up a classic from the legendary Astatke Mulatu, who is currently touring and will be in Melbourne and Sydney in October this year - don't miss it!

The SAZ - electrify that shit

The 4th track to me is the highlight of the album Kim Sun: The Man Who Must Leave written by Shin Jung Hyun - a legend in Korea and hailed as the Godfather of Korean Rock 'n' Roll as Elvis is to the Western world.  If you're starting to think Blue Suede Shoes or something, stop now as Shin Jung Hyun's guitar work is more akin to Hendrix.  The stories goes that he was so talented that all the Korean record labels of the time wanted his skills and as long as he put something out for a female starlet, they'd let him do whatever the hell he wanted on the b-side - where this epic track is found.  This guy was so popular that the Korean president in the 70s asked him to write song to glorify him - he refused and instead offered to write a song to glorifying Korea.  This resulted in his records being banned and him being imprisoned for a few years.   Intriguing stuff.  I should also note that "The Man Who Must Leave" also has really beautiful vocals and a dude rocking it out organ Ray Manzarek style.

Side B is diverse as the first with gems from Green, Iran, Germany and Italy.  Where are these guys finding these records!?  The highlight is a heavy funk track from Iran with beautiful sweeping strings evoking their beautiful land in better times.

Lesson 1 of digging - covers can be deceiving.  Try song titles such as "All Men Shall be Brothers of Ludwig" by Staff Carpenborg and the Electric Corona for potential goodness.

From track 7 onwards (featured in the above image), it gets pretty hairy.  The folks at WPFC assume you're a quick learner and they proceed into some pretty heavy psychedelic tracks interspersed with some dance friendly tunes from Lebanon, Russia and Egypt.

All-in-all a pretty epic compilation and journey - not always easy but infinitely rewarding.  Sound can be bit iffy, which is understandable considering where some of these songs were recorded.
And what is a revolution without a soundtrack after all?

They seem to be out of stock online and in some record stores, so pick up a copy if you can.