Cannonball Italy Vinilo y CD

Review: Cannonball continue to provide an unparalleled service to devotees of the funk underground, this time drawing on a lucky acetate find from an undisclosed record spot in Barcelona. Amongst a stack of forgettable bits and pieces emerged this uncredited acetate, which astute digger Eduardo Domingo was able to decipher as the work of Force, a short-lived holy grail funk act led by Frank Filpetti on drums and songwriting duties. 'Holy Moses' came out in its original version in 1974, but this acetate carried a version with French vocals, which is now lovingly presented on this release, soon to be as rare as the original version if the international funk community has anything to do with it.

Review: One doesn't usually associate Italy with funk music on a gospel tip, but this is exactly what's happened on the third outing from fledgling label Cannonball. The Jackson Bros, a still mysterious outfit on our end, throw down the absolute truth on the vocal edit of "Thank You", a glorious and majestic pseudo disco ride that'll please everyone from dad to grandma. The instro cut is firmly in place for all your dance floor needs.

Review: Robert Jones and Berdell Gaston were said to be a couple of session musicians who, like many, worked tirelessly in the background while others took the spotlight and accolades. "Do You Get The Message" was recorded as a demo by Gaston (with Jones on vocals) as The Grey Imprint in 1969. In the beginning, it never made it past the demo stage to get a release. This is a true digger's delight which fetches exorbitant prices on the secondhand market so we're glad the vintage treasure gets a needed re-issue. On the flip, the cheekily titled version by The Cannonballs is actually an instrumental.

Review: The blistering, one-of-a-kind West Coast disco-funk record 'U Need Me' by LA Propinquity surfaces as part of a new body of historic productions initially intended for compilation on a full-length LP. For reasons undisclosed, this never happened; instead, Italian sonic exhumers Cannonball Records have been afforded the privilege of reissuing these tracks across a series of 7"s themselves. Hardly and criminially under-recognised in their day, the L.A. Propinquity were nonetheless composed of the angelic city's finest, with drummer James Gadson forming a prominent part. A blast from the 1970s, 'U Need Me' is a beaming slice of unrequited longing, set to delicious funk tones that are as maximized as they are unstrained.

Review: After a sterling run of 7" soul cuts last year, Cannonball get straight back to it with this supremely rare slice from Split Evolution. The Chicago group had some hits in the late 70s and early 80s, but this one slipped through the cracks. Dave Morley from Tesla Groove Records procured a test pressing of this original which had never enjoyed a wider release until now, as sister label Cannonball presses it up for widespread enjoyment. It's a powerful, beautifully rendered slice of soul from the easy-tempo funk of 'Bedroom Eyes' to pitch-perfect B-side 'Let Me Do It', and the ever-devoted soul community will be quick to snap this one up for sure.

Review: Willie's second appearance this year on the ever-reliable Cannonball imprint, "Real Thing" was recorded around the mid to late 70s and acts as a pumping riposte to the overwhelming disco phenomenon that was wiping out every other genre and style at the time. Flexing extensively over two parts, there's a conceptual take on the recording as Willie staged it like a live club recording (complete with call outs to non-existing members of audience) as the troupe get busy with the disco funk hybrid in Willie's energetic, direct way. With art from Willie's daughter and fully comprehensive liner notes, once again this is another awesome excavation from Cannonball.