Artist: Various (compiled by Joey Negro and Sean P)
Album: Superfunkanova Vol. 2
Label: Z Records
Release date: 09/03/15
The Dynamic disco duo, Joey Negro and Sean P, is back with the second instalment to the Supafunkanova series released on Z Records. These two “disco divas” have really done their homework with this one and, looking at the tracklist, it’s no wonder Volume 2 comes to us eight years after the first one. With every track a delightful rarity of its time it seems the pair has successfully continued a quest to provide to the public a collection of quality disco, funk and boogie tunes from an era when this genre of music was a rightful and unstoppable phenomenon. From the sharp, brassy stabs of the very first seconds, you can feel the power and energy behind this music.
Differing to their other successful compilations such as ‘Destination Boogie’ and the hugely popular ‘Soul of Disco’ series, this compilation really goes across the board of the sound of the late 70s and early 80s, giving us much more than just one genre. You’ve got reverberated vocals over syncopated percussion with the disco tracks, as well as groovy electronic elements in the song’s saturated in boogie; Airplay’s Drive Me Insane, for example, is one of the true highlights of this compilation. Finally, there’s that unmissable rhythmic sound of funk coming at us from songs like, Silver Flash Funk’s Funky Space Player (I guess the clue was in the name). A real journey through the development of disco.
Among the 20 tracks Joey Negro includes one of his own edits to Sound Reason by Splash - a personal favourite of mine, with the penetrating soulful vocals sticking in my head for days. Another focal point of the double sided CD is the inclusion of Magnum Force’s Cool Out, a rare early example of true Chicago house and, being a national hit in early 1985, it seems fitting that it was chosen by the pair. Things get jazzed up with Sam Culleys Walk and we get a true rendition of Funk at its finest with Super Stimulus from Stimulus, a track that includes an offbeat bass line and groovy drum patterns that James Brown would have been proud of.
If we’re looking for criticism perhaps the compilation doesn’t have the light and shade or progression of a studio album, and to a non-disco and funk fan could appear monotonous. But to the older connoisseurs and growing youthful funk fanbase, it’s an historic tracklist.
WORDS | Katie Goodman
Tracklist:
CD1
01. The Blue Denim Band - Spunk In The Funk
02. Splash - Sound Reason (Joey Negro Edit)
03. Sam Culley Band – Walk
04. J.S Theracon - Buckets O' Duckats
05. Silver Flash Funk - Funky Space Player
06. Magnum Force - Cool Out
07. Star Quality & Class - Betcha Got A Dude On The Side
08. L.S Movement – Move
09. Stimulus - Super Stimulus
10. Larry Harris - Throw Down
CD2
01. Airplay - Drive Me Insane
02. The Sunburst Band - The Easton Assassin
03. Nice And Tight Band - Lets Get High (On The Music)
04. Nick Allen - I'm Burning Up
05. Brenda Harris - Making Love Will Keep You Fit
06. Bright Moments - She's So Fine
07. Blackrock - Hey Roots
08. Storm - Rhythm Of The Cit-Tay
09. Contact - Big Fun
10. Wizzard - These Are The Eightys
