VA - Raw Soul, Rare & Unreleased Funk From Norfolk, Virginia 1971 - 1973 [2010]

FUNK

VA - Raw Soul, Rare & Unreleased Funk From Norfolk, Virginia 1971 - 1973 [2010]

“Raw Soul” is the name of the band featured on this compilation, which includes one and a half singles plus the band backing various vocalists. This collection is a must-have for all funk lovers! 

This album is indeed a funk monster! You might not guess it from the cover or the obscure label, but the music on this CD is of exceptional quality, both in terms of the songs and the recordings themselves. 

For those who have followed the resurgence of soul singer Lee Fields in recent years (all of his albums are highly recommended), you’ll be thrilled to find two of his early recordings on this compilation. The offerings here to be consistently great, with tune after tune packed with greasy funk grooves and sweet, juicy soul flavorings.

The title can be a bit elusive since it’s named after the band but is actually a various artists compilation. Additionally, this CD has limited distribution, coming out of Chicago on the small label Groove Distribution. The band Raw Soul has three songs on this collection, but they also serve as the backing band on most of the other tracks, forming a true funky backbone for this compilation. The band set up shop in the Brockington & Guess Recording Studio in Norfolk, VA, and their work is very impressive. Other highlights include tracks by two female vocalists, Josephine Jones singing the sassy “Candy Man” and Barbara Stunt belting out the ultra-funky “Superman,” a song so fantastic that there are two versions of it on this collection. (B)

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Track list

01 Raw Soul - How You Gonna Do It? (Alternate Instrumental Version) 2:13

02 Raw Soul - Leave My Beat Alone 2:45

03 Lenis Guess - That Beat's Got The Devil In It (Previously Unreleased Vocal) 2:38

04 Shirley Johnson - Feels So Good 3:05

05 Sir Guy - I Need You Baby 2:32

06 Josephine Jones - Candy Man 2:35

07 Lee Fields - She's A Love Maker 2:22

08 Dorsey Brockington - Stormy Weather (Feat. Barbara Stant/Debbie Taylor) 3:08

09 Barbara Stant - Superman (Alternate Version) 3:15

10 Prince George - Wrong Crowd 2:52

11 Lenis Guess - How You Gonna Do It? (Previously Unreleased Vocal Version) 2:28

12 Raw Soul - The Gig 2:40

13 Page One - Thank Goodness Gotta Good Woman 3:14

14 Symbolics - Conflict (Extended Version) 4:21

15 Barbara Stant - Superman (Alternate Vocal Take) 2:41

16 Lee Fields - We're Gonna Make Love 2:45

17 5th Street Gang - The Dance Of Love 2:29

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