Review: Dennis Coffey 'Dennis Coffey'

DENNIS COFFEY
Dennis Coffey
[Strut]

Don't call this a comeback, he's been here for years. Detroit guitar legend Dennis Coffey's raw and funky playing can be heard on a roll call of seminal songs - The Temptations' Ball Of Confusion and Cloud Nine, The Sylvers' Boogie Fever, Edwin Starr's War, Freda Payne's Band Of Gold, among many, many others - as Coffey was a member of the original Motown Funk Brothers' backing band, popularising a heavy, funky guitar sound. But this self-titled set for Strut is no old timers' get-together: guests include Mayer Hawthorne, Mick Collins (The Dirtbombs) and Fanny Franklin (Orgone), and Coffey stylishly leads a crack band through a dense selection of new material and hand-picked covers (from The Parliaments and Funkadelic to 100 Proof Aged In Soul and more). The funk and fuzz levels are set to high, with a swirling, soulful psychedelica permeating most tracks. A rare treat from one of the originators.

3 and 1/2 stars from 5

Radio Ponsonby Record Review: Norman Jay Presents 'Good Times' 30th Anniversary Edition

Norman Jay MBE Presents
GOOD TIMES - 30th Anniversary Edition
[Strut]

Disclaimer: I am a massive Norman Jay fan. He's an inspiration to me as a DJ. I've all his previous Good Times compilations, alongside others he has put together. I shared Red Stripe, curried goat and spliff with strangers while dancing to he and his brother playing at London's famed Notting Hill Carnival. I was even lucky enough to meet the man himself when Sweetpants and I brought him to New Zealand to play, some years back. So, there's your disclaimer, given before I comment on his latest Good Times compilation - a celebratory 30th Anniversary Edition, released by the Strut label. Thing is, regardless of my personal views, if you've even the slightest inkling of who Norman Jay MBE is then you know you're in for a top drawer selection of soul, funk, reggae, house, hip hop, doo wop and plenty more besides. Rare Grooves and very Good Times indeed.

4 stars from 5


I don't usually post tracklists or other details when I review an album, but I'm such a fanboy when it comes to Norman Jay, that I'm making an exception. Hey, rules are meant to be broken, right? Right. Oh, and another thing: purchase a physical copy - or track down the liner notes - as my man Lloyd Bradley has written a career-spanning sleeve note based on extensive interviews with Mr Jay. Just sayin'...

Mark Capanni | I Believe In Miracles
Avery Sunshine | I Got Sunshine
Ted Taylor | Ghetto Disco (Norman Jay edit)
Zalmac | Dreamin'
Terri Wells | Who's That Stranger
Little Anthony & The Imperials | I Don't Have Time To Worry
Mario Biondi | My Girl
Jacob Miller & Inner Circle | Tired Fe Lick Weed In A Bush
The Basement Khemist | Everybody (L.I.F.E.)
J Boogie's Dubtronic Science with Goapele & Capitol A | Try Me (People Under The Stairs remix)
Attic Tree | Voar
Curtis Mayfield | Victory
Dante | Freak In Me
Fries & Bridges | Forever This
The Detroit Experiment | Think Twice (Henrik Schwarz remix)
Ashley Slater | Private Sunshine