Soul and funk collectors and anoraks love intrigue, odd facts, musical coincidence and mystery and when it comes to mysterious artists from the past, few are more mysterious and elusive than CHET IVEY.

Nicknamed “Poison” Ivey for obvious reasons, Chet was a radio DJ and leader of his own funk band, The Mighty Avengers and though he released something like 30 singles through the 70s, soul histories and text books make no mention of him. Twenty odd years ago Ace Records found his archive and released a compilation on him hoping it would galvanise someone somewhere to reveal more about Chet… but to no avail!

So, persistent as ever, Ace (through their BGP imprint) have just released a new 18 track set on the man and for the collection the Ace/BGP ‘tecs have dug deep and come up with some decent biographical detail on funk’s mystery man.

The excellent sleeve notes will tell you what you need to know while the music isn’t half bad either. The 18 cuts (most recorded for the Sylvia label) offer a funk feast for 70s collectors with standout cut being a cover of Johnny Otis’ ‘So Fine’

CHET IVEY; A DOSE OF CHET IVEY is out now on