Bargain Bins #04: Special Brit-Funk Edition
This edition of BeatCaffeine’s Bargain Bins series features five essential 7-inch selections from the Brit-funk scene of the late seventies and early eighties. Through the support of pirate radio and deejays like Chris Hill and Colin Curtis, Brit-funk was an underground music scene that took place in both south and north London. Many great bands came out of this scene including Atmosfear, Hi-Tension, Light Of The World, Central Line, Sun Palace, Hudson People and many others. The music was a fusion of jazz-funk, dance rhythms, a touch of disco, and often, pop vocals. There is a great short documentary about the movement, which you can see on Youtube.
For this special edition of Bargain Bins, here are five essential Brit-funk forty-fives that can be found for five dollars or less.
Also remember to listen/follow the Bargain Bins Spotify Playlist to hear highlights from both this week’s selections and past/future picks in this ongoing monthly series.
Hi-Tension
British Hustle
(1978/ Island Records)
Hailing from northwest London, Hi-Tension is considered by many as the greatest band to come out of the Brit-funk scene (they are certainly mine!). Even though the group only released one full-length album and a handful of forty-fives, they helped pave the way for many bands of the movement, including all the other groups featured on this list. The track “British Hustle” was one of the predominant anthems of the Brit-funk era, featuring driving rhythms, Latin-influenced percussion, layered harmonies, and heavy-hitting breaks. There are a few different versions of the forty-five release, some including the classic jazz gem “Peace On Earth.”
Light Of The World
London Town
(1980/ Ensign)
Light Of The World was another essential band of the Brit-funk scene. The group’s name was taken from Kool and the Gang classic 1974 album Light of Worlds (which features the track “Summer Madness”!!!). Featured on the group’s 1980 album Round Trip, the jazz-funk classic is probably the group’s most notable cut. The track features some Roy Ayers-like vibes, and some smoother (but not too smooth) jazz instrumentation. Definitely a staple of the Brit-funk movement.
Linx
You’re Lying
(1980/ Chrysalis)
One of the earliest hits from the band, which at the time was a quintet. Shortly after seeing success from the release of “You’re Lying,” the group downsized to a duo that included the two masterminds of the project, David Grant and Peter Martin. Even though the group’s most commercially successful track was their 1981 electric Caribbean-influenced dance hit “Intuition,” I feel that “You’re Lying” has aged better over the years. Definitely an under-the-radar jam!
Central Line
Walking Into Sunshine
(1981/ Mercury)
A classic early boogie-influenced funk classic from the London based group. “Walking Into Sunshine” was a hit in both the UK and in the United States. Legendary deejay Larry Levan was a huge fan of the track and it saw regular rotation at the Paradise Garage during the early eighties. The track even broke the top 5 on the US Club Billboard Charts. The song features funky synth grooves alongside some catchy vocal hooks.
Freeez
Southern Freeez
(1981/ Beggars Banquet)
Based out of North London, Freeez was a jazz-funk group that was initially led by dance producer John Rocca and featured a rotating cast of musicians. Named after a popular dance move at the time know as “The Freeze,” the song reached the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart. The classic dancefloor gem blends jazz-funk instrumentation, with pop melodies, Latin-influenced rhythms while featuring some heavy bass driven breaks.
