VA - Absolute Funk Vol. 4 (2007)

Review by Mark Deming
Only the most obsessive crate-digger is likely to be familiar with all (or even most) of the rare sides collected on this CD compilation, but the French record collectors at Body and Soul have dug up some very solid grooves that will make you move if even if you've never heard them before. The Marvells' two-part "Forget About That Mess" urges listeners to overlook violence and social strife in favor of the good groove (not always bad advice), and the Soul Shakers offer up some more pointed commentary on the fiery "You Ain't My Brother." The Family Plann beat the Jackson Five at their own game on "Come On, Let's Do the Breakdown" (and let's hope their lead singer enjoyed a kinder fate than Michael Jackson), while Smokey Johnson & Company make like their New Orleans brethren the Meters on the excellent "Funkie Moon" (and so what if their spelling is a bit off). "The Funky Mule" from Marvin Holmes & the Uptights is such a potent slice of Southern funk it's a shock to discover the group was from California, and Bill Wright gets on down while offering some sound relationship advice on "How Can I Hit the Ball (When You Won't Let Me Bat)." For 54 minutes, Absolute Funk, Vol. 4 delivers just what it advertises, and folks looking for rare funk grooves or something to kick their next dance party into high gear will find this fills the bill very well indeed.