Search - Various Artists, Various :: As We Travel

Folk Funk Flavours & Ambient Soul, Volume 2

Joe Kenney | Dallas, TX USA | 02/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Make Music was the first volume in Harmless's Folk Funk Flavours series, and even though it was a great CD, I think As We Travel is even better. Starting off with Shuggie Otis's "Strawberry Letter 23" and finishing with the Meters's melancholy (but wah-wah guitar-employing) remake of Neil Yong's "Birds," the CD is one of the best I've ever come across. Like Make Music, As We Travel showcases forgotten music from the early `70s that melded hippie freedoms with soul and funk. Lynn Christopher provides one of the many highlights, with a catchy, funky number called "Take Me With You," (which features guitar and bass work by then-unknowns Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons); the Isley Brothers outdo the original with their remake of "Love the one you're with;" Sinto goes for some early Santana-like rock (but with heavier guitar) on "Right On Brother;" Terry Callier melds orchestral touches with a soul groove on "You're gonna miss your candyman" (I think Massive Attack sampled some of this track for their song "Angel"); and American Gypsy mix up lounge, acid rock, and funk on the great track "Gold Ring." But these are just the songs that stand out for me; all of them are excellent. This is the type of CD you'll find yourself playing all of the time, no matter what your mood. A wonderful discovery, and part of a great series I hope Harmless continues to release."