Jill Turner writes : Okay kids, put away your record digging bags, your copy of record collector and unplug that internet connection – no need.. the search is over. The cool cats at Strut records have put together a hugely entertaining, refreshing and essential comp of rare grooves, funky blues and "stone cold soul" from Christmases past. Grab a copy, drop some cuts and get 'In the Christmas Groove'.
Most Christmas comps fall into one of two main categories, deathly boring and cheaply produced or shopping centre anesthesia. There’s been something missing and this could actually be it… capitalising on the demand for rare 12’s
from the golden era of the 60’s and 70’s output of funk, soul and rare groove, Strut launches us into the festive season with their first seasonal compilation on the label.
The album’s got it all, jingle bells over breakbeat styles, Lilting vocals from Calypsonian Captain Elmo MckEnzie on ‘Home on Christmas Day’ who’s smooth serenades makes you wonder where the brandy for the Christmas pudding has gone. Stereotype busting Black Soul Santas coming down your chimney in Funk Machine’s ‘Soul Santa’ cooking up a party in your living room complete with a raft of backing singers, funky guitar riffs, Hammond organs and tail feathers a go-go. Join this up with Zebra’s 'Christmas Morning', a nod to early southern gospel with its deep grooves, hallelujahs and tambourine’s to ensure that opening the Christmas presents will never be the same experience again.
Personal favourites include the strong opener, Jimmy Reed with his 'Christmas Present Blues' as invigorating and energetic as anything from the James Brown back catalogue which moves neatly into Electric Jungle’s ‘Funky Funky Christmas’, a genuine slice of rare groove in the spirit of Gotta get your Own and punctuated with snatches of Little Drummer Boy and Deck the Halls, great fun. Not forgetting that you can get in line with J.D. McDonald’s Boogaloo Santa Claus where the Madison meets the Monster Mash and its all topped off with a stupendous reworking of 'Auld Lang Syne' from Seattle based, The Black and White Affair.
Legend has it that Santa Claus, whilst reminiscing on his club days in the mid 60’s, was overheard saying, “ Jim Reeves and Sinatra, legends the pair of them but they just keep singing the same old songs each Christmas and were driving Rudolph and me crazy, its all going to change, this is what’s being dropped in my grotto this year”.
It could perhaps do with a couple more tracks, at 37 minutes its a bit on the short change side but it's definitely going to fill a gap in the market and hey, it does take time to discover these gems in the first place.
It will of course be very wrong for some people and so completely right and irresistible for others. If your presents are delayed , you've been warned... no its not the postal strike but Santa partying to ‘In the Christmas Groove’.
'In the Christmas Groove' is released on CD and digital download on the Strut label on 30th November. With detailed sleeve notes from Mojo magazine's James Maycock complete with original artwork.
