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Pulp Fusion: Revenge Of The Ghetto Grooves

The "Pulp Fusion" saga, published by the Harmless label, since the first chapter "Funky-Jazz ClassicS" dated 1997, celebrates the magnificent 70s, the years of Blaxploitation, the great Funk, Pam Grier and Curtis Mayfield, the years of an artistic, musical and cinematic movement that quickly spread everywhere.

"Revenge Of The Ghetto Grooves", released in 1999, is the third compilation in the series, and perhaps the most successful and comprehensive. In 12 tracks, for about an hour of music, the mythical atmospheres of those extraordinary years are well synthesized, between more cultured and refined moments and others more "groovie" and danceable.

You insert the CD into the stereo, and you immediately get captivated by "Joyous" by Pleasure, 6 incredible minutes of pulsing bass, wawa guitars, and ultra '70s choruses. Thrilling. Next comes Dennis Coffey with his "Theme From Belt Jones", from the soundtrack of Richard Clouse's eponymous film, starring the great Jim Kelly, portrayed on the cover: 3 minutes of percussive rhythms, majestic orchestrations, and pure style. Ike and Tina Turner enchant with the spoken words of "Bold Soul Sister", "Slick Eddie" features Sonny Stitt's saxophone in a sea of congas, with the inevitable Fender Rhodes in the background. Magical. Joe Thomas and his trusty flute delight the listener in "Thank You", accompanied by sustained and insistent rhythms, with "Africana" by the Propositions reaching one of the collection's highest points, thanks to the seductive Hammond organ grooves, while "Haw Right-Now" by Patrice RusheN and "Like A Thief In The Night" by Michael Longo (also sampled by the good Neffa in "Tutto Il Resto E' Nella Mente") are among the most jazz and refined tracks in the entire lineup. Following are Azymuth and the atypical atmospheres of "Dear Limmertz" and the extremely danceable "The Blackbyrds Theme" by the Blackbyrds, all Moog and funky horns. This treasure chest closes with the evocative "Darkest Light" by the Lafayette Afro-Rock Band and the concluding "Magnetic Feel" by Jack McDuff, whose use and abuse of synthesizers almost seems to recall Les McCann at his best.

If even this isn't enough for you, add a meticulously detailed artwork, with chronology and description of the various tracks, wrap it all up and take it home. In short, once again Harmless Records hits the mark, gifting us a magnificent compilation that, unlike all the others that clutter our shelves, stands out for the quantity and, above all, the quality of the selected material. A must-have at all costs. GET DOWN WITH THE FUNKY GROOVE!