Rex's Rawkin' Rant

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Cherrystones Hidden Charms (Family; CD)
     Sticker on the case reads "sixteen psychfunk rarities". Er. Nahh! Granted, interspersed amongst the so-so soul sockin' and Booker T stealin' there is a bit o' bendy (4 outta 16) to be found: 'Svolta Definitiva' by Ennio Morricone is premier league sexploito a go-go slathered in wah-wah 'n' hypnotic Hammond (that coulda been pinched, tho' it wasn't, off a Big Beat/Le Jazzbeat/Audio Blue Collection, easy), the tuff John Fitch-like killa 'Shadow Man' by Shadow Mann ain't been heard since Turds On a Bum Ride Voume 3, Mashmakhan's loose freakbeat groover 'Afraid Of Losing You', sways in the sky like a stoned bird (also check their 'Dance a Little Step') and Die Anderen's speedfreak raver 'Neurotic Reaction' (first time comp'd, methinx) cranks satisfaction every time. However, apart from the aforementioned and Cher's funk-tastic hard hitter 'I Walk On Gilded Splinters', Shocking Blue's old news 'Hot Sand' (we've heard it a million times before for Chrissakes!) and the assuredly non-funky, yet fine 'n' farfisa-skewed 'Faust '72' by Frenchies Dynastie Crisis, Hidden Charms ain't none too charming, darling. Newbies may drool, sure. As for the rest of us, well, pah! Better luck next time, Cherry.
www.familyrecordings.com
Rex Thompson