VA - The Mighty Mellow Vol. 1 - 3 [1997-1999] (3 x CDs)

FOLK FUNK

VA - The Mighty Mellow Vol. 1 - 3 [1997-1999] (3 x CDs)

Released between 1997 and 1999 across Yellowstone, Drive, and Future Records, The Mighty Mellow trilogy is a foundational document in the folk-funk revival, decades ahead of its time. Subtitled A Folk-Funk Psychedelic Experience, these Italian compilations blend rare groove, cinematic soul, jazz-funk, and psychedelic folk into a genre-fluid listening arc that shaped curatorial approaches for years to come. With minimal liner notes and bootleg-style presentation, the series relies on sequencing, mood, and deep crate-digging to tell its story.

Volume 1 (Yellowstone Records) opens with Stringtronics’ “Tropicola” and David Axelrod’s “Holy Thursday,” immediately establishing its cinematic scope. Christine Harwood’s “Never Knew What Love Was” and Ronnie Foster’s “Mystic Brew” anchor the folk-funk axis, while Annette Peacock’s “Pony” and Fifty Foot Hose’s “Rose” push into avant-garde terrain. The selections span UK psych, US soul-jazz, and European library music, unified by their emotional depth and analog grit.

Volume 2 (Drive Records) continues the journey with a slightly more soulful and jazz-inflected palette. Barbara & Ernie’s “Somebody to Love,” Nancy Priddy’s “You’ve Come This Way Before,” and Hugo Montenegro’s “Higher Ground” offer lush arrangements and introspective vocals. André Previn’s “Executive Party Dance” and David Snell’s “Crab Apple Jam” add orchestral funk textures, while the sequencing moves from acoustic intimacy to groove-laced sophistication.

Volume 3 (Future Records) shifts the emphasis toward cinematic funk and library rarities. Francis Coppieters’ “Funky Chimes,” Tonio Rubio’s “Bass In Action No. 2,” and Ester Byrde’s “Touch Me Take Me” showcase rhythmic depth and lush production. Alice Coltrane’s “Los Caballos” and Maxayn’s “Doing Nothing, Nothing Doing” stretch the series into spiritual jazz and psychedelic soul. Though less folk-oriented, Volume 3 retains the series’ crate-digging ethos and emotional resonance.

Together, The Mighty Mellow Volumes 1-3 form a curatorial manifesto, mapping the outer edges of folk-funk before the term had cultural currency. These compilations don’t just mellow, they mesmerize. For archivists and deep listeners, they remain essential, raw, radiant, and revelatory. (B)

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Track lists

CD1

01 Stringtronics - Tropicola 2:42

02 David Axlerod - Holy Thursday 3:51

03 Ronnie Foster - Mystic Brew 4:03

04 Bill Conti - Reflections 3:19

05 Henry Mancini - Here's Looking 2:50

06 Keef Hartley Band - Imitations From Home 3:35

07 Manzell - Midnight Theme 2:07

08 Heath Brothers; Albert Heath, Jimmy Heath and Percy Heath Featuring Stanley Cowell - Smilin' Billy Suite Part II 4:28

09 Jayson Lindh - Your Own House 3:25

10 David Snell - Crab Apple Jam 3:10

11 Prophets of Soul - Changing Things 5:35

12 André Previn - Executive Party Dance 1:45

13 Annette Peacock - Pony 6:17

14 Annette Peacock - You've Come This Way Before 2:50

15 Fifty Foot House - Rose 5:05

16 Nancyn Priddy - You've Come This Way Before 2:49

17 Barbara & Ernie - Somebody to Love 4:38

18 Christine Harwood - Never Knew What Love Was 2:36

CD2

01 Keith Mansfield - Hot Property 1:48

02 Alan Tew - The Rub 2:20

03 Davis Matthews - Sandworms 4:51

04 Mary Lou Williams - Ode to Saint Secile 5:40

05 Mystic Moods - Cosmic Sea 2:46

06 Pete Jolly - Plummer Park 3:41

07 Armin Rush - Canadian Sunset 2:53

08 Nick Ingman - Tense Preparation 1:40

09 Tonio Rubio - Bass in Action No. 1 3:20

10 Performance - Nights is Blues 3:57

11 P.A. Dahan & M. Camison - Rythmiques No. 8 3:35

12 Sight & Sound - Fragments of Fear 3:34

13 Pool-Pah - Sour Soul 2:43

14 Brian Bennet - Name of The Game 3:43

15 Orchestra Gary Pacific - Soft Wind 1:55

16 Moody - Lonely Jelly 4:16

17 Big Group - Heavy Lift 4:01

18 Bob Elger and His Orchestra - A Woman is Born 2:23

19 Ramsey Lewis - My Love for You 4:47

CD3

01 Francis Coppieters - Funky Chimes 3:04

02 D. Mensah - Fine & Funky 4:59

03 Sound Prospect - Al's Blues 2:24

04 Unknown Artist - Title Unknown 2:45

05 Anesis - Funky Teahouse 3:22

06 Jay Richford & Gary Stevan - Feeling Tense 4:00

07 Returners - It Seems That Way 5:04

08 Johnny Pearson - Head in The Clouds 3:09

09 Mary Lou Williams Trio - Rosa Mae 3:59

10 Tonio Rubio - Bass in Action No.2 3:12

11 Bob Azzam and His Orchestra - Rain Rain Go Away 2:42

12 Maxayn - Doing Nothing, Nothing Doing 6:07

13 Laurindo Almeida & Ray Brown - Brazilian Greens 2:18

14 Invaders - Latin Lips 3:08

15 Floyd Morris - Mellow Funk 2:16

16 Ester Byrde - Touch Me Take Me 3:08

17 Alice Coltrane - Los Caballos 3:23

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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.

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