Mapping a Cosmic Soundscape: Soul Jazz Records Presents “SPACE FUNK 2: Afro Futurist Electro Funk in Space 1976-84” – Unmasking the Boundaries of Time
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Venturing where few have dared, Soul Jazz Records has taken another audacious step with their second eclectic master compilation. “SPACE FUNK 2: Afro Futurist Electro Funk in Space 1976-84” spearheaded by Stuart Baker, the trailblazing music maverick, tackles both time and space, unveiling a new facet of the 70s and 80s sonic tapestry. Join Baker as the stellar captain of a music escapade that traverses through time, exploring the multi-faceted universe of Black music from the eras and converging threads of electro-funk, jazz, and more.
Brimming with hidden gems from independent music outfits of yesteryears, the ensemble bespeaks the bleeding edge features of space funk and electro tracks from the electronic music innovators of the late 20th Century. A treasure trove of musical rarities includes contributions from unsung luminaries like Alien Starr, Bobby Demo, Tribe, and Maggatron, to name a few. Renowned outfits like Mid-City Crew and Rich Cason and the Galactic Orchestra also lent their prowess to this extraordinary collage, confirming its unique fusion.
Notably, the album holds the reins of the Afro Futurist narrative, weaving a celestial tableau propelled by the potent electronic oeuvres reminiscent of those created by pioneers like The Ohio Players. The breathtaking album artwork showcases the dynamic model Pat Evans, a pivotal figure in the African-American cultural landscape during the 1970s. Her visually arresting imagery lends an authentic allure to this sonic journey.
Upon the labyrinthine origins of Soul Jazz Records, the realm of British music was forever changed. In the early 90s, Baker breathed life into the enterprise with an unquenchable thirst for harnessing diverse musical voices and transcending genre limitations. Over the years, intertwining selections from reggae, funk, jazz, hip-hop, and house to punk rock and bossa nova, Soul Jazz Records has fostered an extraordinary music bridge spanning continents and time zones.
Adding to its bountiful repertoire, the label engaged in resuscitating forgotten albums, and it amplified its footprint with the release of “Nu Yorica,” a double album tribute to the golden age of Latin funk and salsa. Its inexhaustible endeavors led it to receive accolades from high-ranking music personalities like Gilles Peterson of Radio 1 and Grant Marshall of Massive Attack.
Soul Jazz Records’ meticulous curatorial approach is further underscored by the insightful booklets gracing each album. These literary supplements, often penned by Baker himself, amplify the intrinsic connection between music, society, history, and the pervasive influence of the music industry.
“SPACE FUNK 2: Afro Futurist Electro Funk in Space 1976-84” is a rich anthology that offers listeners an opportunity to re-experience fourteen invigorating tracks from the past. These include “Music-A-Lizer” by Alien Starr, “More Ounce Rap” by The Bobby Deemo Band, “Computer Pop” by Maggotron, and “Year 2001 Boogie” by Rich Cason and the Galactic Orchestra among others.
The album is a cosmic dance floor where grooves mingle with nebulous nebulae and beats pulsate alongside echoing celestial bodies. Soul Jazz Record’s invitation is open to all – strap in and surrender to the immersive echoes of time as the music spaceship departs for a journey into the Afro-futuristic cosmos of electron-fueled funk.
Track list:
Alien Starr – Music-A-Lizer£0.99
Chance – Master Groove (Instrumental)£0.99
The Bobby Deemo Band – More Ounce Rap£0.99
Mack Simmons – Skin Tight£0.99
Maggotron – Computer Pop£0.99
Tribe – Vulcan Voyage£0.99
Command Performance – Breakdance£0.99
Junei – Let’s Ride£0.99
The Graingers – Shine Your Light£0.99
Mid City Crew – Get Right£0.99
Chapter Three – Smurf Trek£0.99
X-Ray Vision – Video Control£0.99
Rich Cason and The Galactic Orchestra – Year 2001 Boogie£0.99
Frank James and Shadow – Summer Time
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