Based in Upper Bavaria, Tramp Records is the brainchild of Tobias Kirmayer, a funk fanatic and DJ, who has began a compilation series called ‘Movements‘ in 2005 for the Munich-based Perfect Toy label. The series has now reached a fourth instalment (‘Volume 4’) and has just been released on Tramp in CD, double-gatefold LP and digital download formats. It contains 16 obscure and hard-to-find soul, funk and jazz nuggets from the late-’60s/early-’70s sourced from a welter of small American indie labels.
The artists featured included singer Carl Westmoreland – his Gene McDaniels’-esque ‘Shakers And Movers’ is the set’s killer cut – Rudy Tee & The Reno-Bops, Dino & The Dell Tones, Iris Bell with the Jive-ettes, the Dave Harris Trio, and Soul Brothers Incorporated. The compilation is meticulously researched and includes detailed liner notes as well as rare photos.
Kirmayer is also responsible (alongside collaborator and fellow crate digger, Daniels Wanders) for another fine new compilation on Tramp – ‘Feeling Nice – Volume One,’ which is subtitled “A Collection Of Super-Rare Funk 45s From The Late ’60s And Early ’70s.’ There are 12 tracks in all, including lost sides from esoteric acts such as The Czars, Clarence Curvan, Billy Storm & The Tempests, JC & The Soul Angels, James Polk & The Brothers, the Soul Dukes, and Sunrize.
For more info go to: www.tramprecords.com
