Various: Funk Drops 2

By RUSSELL BAILLIE

(Herald rating: * * * * )

Subtitled "breaks nuggets and rarities from the vaults of Atlantic, Atco, Reprise and Warner Bros Records 1968-1975", this 27-track compilation oozes with rare groove gems — all fluid strutting brass sections, and more Sly Stone covers than you can poke a stick at.

Some great voices, too, via a few familiar names like Aretha Franklin (Rock Steady), Bobby Byrd (Try It Again), Curtis Mayfield (an instrumental take on If There's A Hell Below, We're All Going to Go). And there's a sizeable New Orleans contingent, too — The Meters (Chicken Strut, Chug-Chug-Chug-A-Lug), Allen Toussaint (Goin' Down) and Dr John (Right Place, Wrong Time) — which also risks a whiplash-inducing music history lesson.

No, no James Brown, but there is a cover of Soul Power by jazz combo TJ Kirk to end on.

A collection that will make one great summertime barbecue soundtrack. After all, it just cooks.

Label: Warner