Much talked about and rightfully lauded far and wide early in its release, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings “I Learned The Hard Way” is every bit the record it’s supposed to be. It has everything that has been largely missing lately from mainstream R n’ B, soul and pop music, you know, things like: rhythm, blues, soul, and pop. These are hit songs, played by an air-tight band, sung by the incomparable Sharon Jones. I can’t say enough about it.

You can buy the CD directly from the label, Daptone Records.

Usually cuts like this jam are all housed in the collections of beat diggers who’s obsession with records and weed defines their whole attitude. Now we less fortunate music lovers are blessed with a digital compilation of French producer, Jean-Pierre Massiera titled, Psychoses Freakoïd (1963-1978). Massiera is basically the J.Dilla of the European disco/dance music scene. One bar into Herman’s Rocket’s “Space Women,” and you’ll wish you where partying in a French discotheque.

Herman’s Rocket
“Space Woman” (mp3)
from “Jean-Pierre Massiera – Psychoses Freakoïd (1963-1978)”
(Mucho Gusto Records)

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Soulful, funky, and jazzy – Yorkshire UK’s Capri sounds like he got his musical chops off the set of Superfly. “Boogie Man” is the title track from Capri’s 2004 release, although his bold songwriting and choice of album art makes me wonder if this album was meant to be released when the LP was the only format. In a world of cookie cutter R&B acts Capri is a harmonious nod to the eccentric and crafty R&B acts of the late 60s and 70s.

Capri
“Boogie Man” (mp3)
from “Boogie Man”
(Caprimusic / GLP)

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The Poets of Rhythm are from one of the last places you would imagine a funk band surfacing from – Munich, Germany. They were turned onto grimy funk in High School. Soon they coped a record habit that rivals any experience William Burroughs ever wrote about. But instead of leaching and raping society for everything we got, they’ve been releasing some of best hard-hitting-ass-shaking funk of the twenty-first century. “Ham Gallery” is off The Poets’ first release, Dicern/Define (2001). I remember when this album first dropped. All kinds of music fans where praising the release; from the pasty-white indie kids, to the underground hip-hop kids, and even the post-underground ravers where dancing to The Poets’ beats. And how could we not?

The Poets of Rhythm
“Ham Gallery” (mp3)
from “DISCERN / DEFINE”
(Quannum Projects)

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There really should be a band called The Jive Turkeys. And there is, there is! And any band using that moniker should show a gr8 love for The Meters, Booker T. and the M.G.’s, and other long running funky rhythm sections who jazz it up with pop sensibilities and a certain mod flair. And they do, they do! These darlings are from Oxford, Ohio, they release their music on 7″ vinyl, they think you should “cop” their records, and well, I do too. Truly a labor of love, down to the Steve Cropper-esque guitar niblets, Leslie speaker churned organ riffs, Zigaboo inspired drumming and one of those bass players who just lives in the kick drum. Their music is available digitally too, in case your vintage Fisher-Price record player is on the fritz.

The Jive Turkeys
“B.A.” (mp3)
from “B.A. – Single”
(Colemine Records)

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