West Indies Funk, Vol. 3

Audio Compact Disc

Label: Trans Air

Style: Funk

West Indies Funk, Vol. 3

UPC: 877942400522

Release Date: 08/09/2011

Original Release Date: 08/09/2011

Number of Discs: 1

Thom Jurek

San Juan's Trans Air imprint set a high standard with the previous two volumes in their West Indies Funk series. They rounded up obscure 45s and album tracks from numerous obscure Caribbean outfits, from proto reggae and instrumental funk groups to steel bands that played the cruise ship circuit and fantastically original arrangements of well-known jams dictated, no doubt, by economic necessities of the tourist trade -- but who cares? Those two offerings were solid through and through. That said, one can't be blamed for wondering just how deep the well goes before it hits sand. It might, but West Indies Funk, Vol. 3 is every bit as fine as its predecessors. Go no further than album opener "Funky Abbey Road," by the Original Tropicana Steel Band. The sound quality is quite high on this number, and while the title certainly hints at the Beatles, this jam is actually a completely insane percussion and guitar orgy based on "I'm a Man" by Chicago (off their debut album). Later on the same group nails -- with muddier sound -- an equally twisted version of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine," with stellar snare breaks. It gets wilder still with the Trinidad & Tobago Steel All Stars laying out a tough and spliffed-out version of Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band's "Do Your Thing." While there isn't a weak tune in the bunch, there are some other clear standouts: the pure hand-drum, jazz-funk glory of Earl Rodney's "Midnight Man"; the primitive "The Devil's Out Tonight" by Carl McKnight's Sweat & Steel Drum Band; and the Trinidad Steel Drummers' completely narcoticized reading of "Cissy Strut" to close the package. You can't go wrong with this series thus far, and these three volumes are a summer party soundtrack all on their own. No matter what time of year it is, it's always summer in these grooves. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi