Soul Cal: Funky Disco & Modern Soul, 1971–82

Soul Cal: Funky Disco & Modern Soul, 1971–82 is a compilation album featuring various disco, Soul, and funk artists. Released on May 1, 2012, on Now-Again Records, a subsidiary of Stones Throw Records, the collection contains 15 songs and an 80-page book which summarizes the artists' backstories and recording processes.[1]

Soul Cal: Funky Disco & Modern Soul, 1971-82
Compilation album by
Various artists
ReleasedMay 1, 2012
Recorded1971–1982
GenreDisco, soul, funk, psychedelic soul
Length63:53
LanguageEnglish
LabelNow-Again Records, Stones Throw

Reception

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Joe Muggs of The Wire remarked that the album encapsulates "the retro-utopian vision of a past where every smalltown record store or garage in the US might have hidden a virtuosic funk outfit; the thrill of knowing that jobbing musicians might be getting paid for the first time; plus the bittersweet knowledge that those that passed on are getting deserved recognition. And all that before you get the thrill of the music itself."[2] Cyril Cordor of Okayplayer wrote that "Soul Cal may not have the same intellectual intrigue of Now Again compilations on Zambian psych-rock or Afro-spiritual jazz, but (Stones Throw general manager Egon) Alapatt wholeheartedly accomplishes this task with his meticulous handling and care of these bands’ precious music and stories."[3]

Allmusic's Fred Thomas said: "To be sure, this collection and book are pure record-nerd fare, even more fine-tuned for those already versed in funk 45 obsession and looking to get even deeper into hyper obscure subgenres and micro-histories."[4] Jim Farber of the New York Daily News suggested that the set "of obscure, American indie-R&B acts [...] bridged the gap between disco and soul with tracks that sound like outtakes from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack."[5] The Quietus named the album to its list of 2012's best reissues, compilations, mixes & live albums.[6]

Track listing

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No.TitleArtistLength
1."You Can Be a Star"Luther Davis4:36
2."Don't Get Discouraged"U.P.C. All Stars3:32
3."Wake Up"Pure Essence6:08
4."Ecology"Anibus4:00
5."Put a Smile on Time"Rhythm Machine3:53
6."I'm Gonna Miss You Girl"Ellis & Cephas2:51
7."It's a Bad Feeling"Mixed Sugar3:03
8."Sha-La-La"Mixed Feelings3:28
9."What It Takes to Live"Key & Cleary3:12
10."Love Is"Leon Mitchison & the Eastex Freeway Band4:17
11."Keep Running Away"Clifford Nyren2:56
12."Things Cannot Stop Forever"Stanton Davis' Ghetto/Mysticism6:06
13."The Stranger"C. Henry Woods Troupe8:33
14."Free Your Mind"Record Player3:50
15."Get Down"Colors of Love Choir / Freedom Express3:28

References

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  1. ^ Reynolds, Rachel (April 12, 2012). "You Can Be A Star!". KCRW. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  2. ^ Muggs, Joe (April 2012). "A-Z Soundcheck". The Wire. 1 (338): 61. ISSN 0952-0686.
  3. ^ Cordor, Cyril. "Reviews: Various Artists - 'Soul Cal: Funky Disco & Modern Soul, 1971-82'". Okayplayer. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  4. ^ Thomas, Fred. "Various Artists - Soul Cal: Disco & Modern Soul, 1971-1982 - Review". Allmusic. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  5. ^ Farber, Jim (April 8, 2012). "Jim Farber's Top Ten in Music for Week of April 8, 2012". New York Daily News. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  6. ^ Gibb, Rory (December 29, 2012). "Past Caring: 2012's Best Reissues, Compilations, Mixes & Live Albums". The Quietus. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
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