Various – Running The Voodoo Down 2 (Explorations in Psychrockfunksouljazz 1965-77)

Superbly curated compilation exploring the African-American music's myriad shoots.

A compilation album curated with care and expertise can be an absolute joy. It's not necessarily just a historical exercise either - In the past decade or so seminal compilations have helped form current scenes and even inspired bands to form. The resurgence of acid-folk collectives can be traced to to Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs' Gather In The Mushrooms compilation. Similarly the current raft of retro-glam led by bands such as Giuda and Faz Waltz owes much to the Velvet Tinmine reissue series.

Whether this latest compilation on TAD Records will have the same inspirational reach will only be known in due time but it is without doubt one of the finest genre compilations to be released this year, mixing well known tracks with lesser-known gems. Its subtitle (Explorations In Psychrockfunksouljazz 1965-77) tells you much but doesn't spoil the surprises and inspired juxtapositions that come your way. Much of the music is directly inspired by the civil rights movement and mirrors the rise of black consciousness that was also present in literature, poetry, art and sport. Collectively this grouping together of songs brims over with anger, intelligence, sonic attack, superb musicianship, poetry and the sense of fun that comes with being at an exploratory cutting-edge.

The collection opens with John Coltrane's 'A Love Supreme, Pt 1 Acknowledgement'. Coltrane's quest to the outer limits of music and spirituality permeate this collection and its fitting that several of the tracks explicitly honour his influence. Outside of the jazz scene, white rock musicians were also taking note. The following two tracks highlight Coltrane's influence on rock music. The Byrds' 'Eight Miles High' famously features atonal guitar lines by Roger McGuinn, his attempt to echo Coltrane's saxophone playing. Similarly influenced by Coltrane is 'Starship' by MC5, a manic poetic meditation reaching for the outer limits.

It's a fantastic opening trio of songs but there are other joys to come, the standard doesn't dip. Other highlights include Sonny Sharrack's 'Black Woman' its wordless vocal alternating between ecstasy and agony while chains rattle symbolically in the background. Then what about 'Ungena Za Ulimwenga (Unite The World)' by the Temptations, a prime slice of psychedelic soul from the early '70s. It's a track I'd not heard before but it had me staring at my hi-fi speakers in disbelief.

Running The Voodoo Down Volume 2 positively explodes with spirit, ideas and open up multiple avenues of further exploration. If you only buy one compilation this year this should be the one.

Click here to buy via Norman Records.

CD Tracklisting

John Coltrane – 'A Love Supreme, Pt 1 Acknowledgement'

The Byrds – 'Eight Miles High'

MC5 – 'Starship'

Joe Zawinui – 'In A Silent Way'

Shuggie Otis – 'Aht Uh Mi Head'

Melvin Van Peebles – 'Sweetback's Theme'

Sonny Sharrock – 'Black Woman'

Chairmen Of The Board – 'Life And Death in The C&A Suite'

The Temptations – 'Ungena Za Ulimwenga (Unite The World)'

Dr John – 'Zu Zu Mamou'

Jimi Macon – 'Jimi's Guitar Raps'

Lou Bond – 'Do The Establishment'

Isaac Hayes – 'Do Your Thing'

Sarah Webster Fabio – 'Equinox'

Bob Thiele – 'Lament For John Coltrane'

**Vinyl LP contains a bonus track – Herbie Hancock - 'Spank-A-Lee'**

Superfjord/Earthling Society – Coltrane (Split 7” +CD)

Limited edition split 7” pays tribute to John & Alice Coltrane. Includes bonus 70 minute CD.

The name Coltrane is one of the biggest in modern musical history and perhaps the one most associated with such noble concepts as spirituality, love, freedom, improvisation and pushing the boundaries of sonic exploration.

A brave move then for any band (and label) that dares to put their own spin on the music of both John and Alice Coltrane. But that's what we have here thanks to the good people at Fruits De Mer Records. A split 7” single with Finland's Superfjord covering John Coltrane's A Love Supreme, and Earth Society tackling Alice Coltrane's somewhat less familiar Journey In Satchidananda.

A Love Supreme's familiar three note riff lends itself to Superfjord's space-rock makeover, a perfect bedrock for guitars guitars to take flight, sonics to be explored, and that all important sense of wonder to be re-invigorated. It's notable also for a voice over extolling the interconnectedness of freedom, art, magic and love.

Not to be outdone, Earthling Society's version of Journey In Satchidananda ventures into similar realms of sonic possibility. An eight minute instrumental meditation that's so simultaneously swampy yet reaching for the stars, even Oscar Wilde would have loved it.

If that wasn't enough there's also a bonus 70 minute CD containing Live versions, remixes by the likes Astralasia and VHSHead, along with new tracks Superfjord, Astralasia and Earthling Society. Is there a label around today that comes close to Fruits De Mer for consistently high quality releases? If so I've yet to come across it.

Click here for more on Superfjord.

Click here for more on Earthling Society.

Click here for more on Fruits De Mer Records.