The O.G. Illy Philly Funkstas

The Modulations - Really Rough Out Here
The Modulations - Those Were The Best Times Of My Life
The Modulations - Worth Your Weight In Gold
Common - It's Your World (Part 1&2) Instr.

While I was searching for some new funk to post during the reintroduction of AllThangsFunky, I ran across the instrumental for Common's "It's Your World (Part 1&2)" on Spine Mag from one of the many R.I.P. Jay Dee posts. To me, this song is one of the best ones on the LP. Common's Be, almost unseated Pep Love's Ascension as numero dos on my all time favorite albums, and for those that know me, that's a pretty big deal.

Anyhow, searching the liner notes for samples from that track, I found a group call The Modulations who provided the track "Share What You Got, Keep What You Need". So into cyberspace dig mode I went. I couldn't find that track but found 3 others from the group that I felt were worthy of this post.

I found a nice review from a blog called Soul Shower which reveals that they did work for MFSB in the early days before releasing their LP.

"Rough Out Here", the title track, is one of those socio-funk tracks that wants to educate the people who prolly live outside the scene to the issues of the day but at the same time, wants to make you at least tap your feet. I really like this track. I tried to play it for my girl the other day but she gave it the "oh please" look....

"Those Were The Best Times of My Life" does its best Dramatics/Spinners/Percy Miracles impersonation and at times you could almost imagine this being played at some 70's wedding. You know, the ones with the brown shag rugs hung on the wall, the wicker furniture, the requisite ruffles on the tux. Classic. That or at the prom. "Mr. Jenkins, please remove your hands from that young woman's behind before you get detention up in here"

"Worth Your Weight In Gold" sort of reminds me of a song that could have been done by the O'Jays. Hell it may have been turned down by Eddie and the Boyz for all I know. It's a nice smooth classic ballad that sounds right up the alley for those producers who love this sound (9th Wondrah, Nicolay, et. al) and chop it up very well. Speaking of chopping....

Mentos found this video of this French producer 20 Syl doing his thing with the beats. Pretty dope.

20 Syl Does It Propa!

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Hopefully, over the next week or so, the redone format of ATF will makes its appearance via posts by the other members of our little collective. Should be hella interesting. We plan on touching themes and social commentary with the insight (TiVo!) that only we can...So look for that soon.

Until then.....

Keep It Funkin'

Brother B.
"To Teach To Each Is What Rap Intended" - D Nice