VOODOO MUSIC!

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Back in 2017 Festival Records issued an intriguing compilation ‘RUNNING THE VOODOO DOWN’ . The 2CD, 23 track compilation  explored a period in American music when (mainly black) artists began to explore new directions as a reaction to contemporary explosive social, economic and cultural changes. Much of this new music was never commercially successful but over the years its importance and influence has grown. To give you the flavour, it featured music from people like Eugene McDaniels, Funkadelic, The Isley Brothers, The Chambers Brothers, Undisputed Truth, Don Cherry, Buddy Miles, and a trio of musical giants, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis.

Two years down the line, we now have a second volume with an equally eclectic though maybe a little broader line up. Soul wise here you can enjoy experimental cuts from people like the Temptations (‘Ungena Za Ulimwengu’), the Chairmen Of The Board (‘Life And Death In G&A’) and Isaac Hayes (‘Do Your Thing’) Interestingly the 15 tracker begins with the almost eight minutes of John Coltrane’s ‘A Love Supreme’ and ends with Bob Thiele’s ‘Lament For John Coltrane’. Outside the soul box, there’s the Byrds’ ‘Eight Miles High’ and MC 5’s ‘Starship”. That should give you the flavour of what’s on offer – but if you really want to understand the aim of the album try the poignant 11 minute plus ‘To The Establishment’ from Lou Bond.