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Super reissue label Soul Jazz turn their attentions to funk, documenting thedevelopment of the African-American music form in the city of New Orleansduring the 1960s. In-depth liner notes take the music's tale back to slaverydays (when New Orleans was the only place in America that allowed Africanslaves to play drums), citing influences from West African jazz funeralbands to the city's penchant for parades and 'Saturday night Fish Fry' blockparties, on the development of funk music's uniquely syncopated beats, andrecognising the localised independent recording industry that rose tosupport it. The music itself features all of the citys big stars - TheMeters, Aaron Neville, Dr John, Lee Dorsey and Professor Longhair - and withgems from the pens of such superb songwriters as Allen Toussaint and EddieBo, this excellent compilation is essential to any funk collector orenthusiast. |
