As the subtitle states: More Rock, Funk, Soul, Jazz & Soundtrack Breaks For Modern Living, Mr Thing brings us the second installment in a five part series compiling rare and sought after breaks from disparate genres. A double CD package, disc one contains the compiled tracks, and disc two is the mixed companion, as always expertly and lovingly mixed by Mr Thing. Although many mixed CD’ showcase a DJ’ skills, this is more about the tracks, Mr Thing hasn’ tried to cram on dozens of breaks, but 16 tracks, cut, scratched and mixed to make the perfect Sunday afternoon companion to catching up with friends.
Some stone cold classics here, and some lesser known gems, you would have heard some of these songs before, cropping up in mixes by Andy Votel and The Gaslamp Killer to name just two. Every track is a killer, no filler, Frank Pleyer Big Band, Dick Walter, Jake Wade & The Soul Searchers, Art & Ron, Kalyanji Anandji, Johnny Griffith Inc., Roy Head, Ruby Andrews, Jerzy Milian Orkiestra, Hot Butter & Soul, The Generation Gap, Oscar Harris & The Twinkle Stars, The Rias Orchestra, Val Merrall’ Orchestra, Hot City Bump Band, and The Alan Tew Orchestra.
Favourites here are “Back Ground Music†by Kalyanji Anandji, the recording suffering when the female wail come in, but nonetheless a great track. “She’ About A Mover†by Roy Head is just incredibly funky, as is Hot Butter & Soul’ version of “ABCâ€. The wacked out synth lines of “Pru Urebu†by The Rias Orchestra propel this disco number to outer space, while the crazy funk filled version of “Pink Panther†soundtrack by The Alan Tew Orchestra is one of the better I’ve heard.
As usual, another great compilation by the BBE and Mr Thing team.
Wayne Stronell
