GAP BAND
20th Century Masters (Mercury)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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The second 20th Century Masters funk release of the month, like the first (Parliament), is right on, right on, right on. A full hour of prime 80s funk. The Wilson brothers of Tulsa, Oklahoma definitely had one siphon hose in the disco pond, but their funky sensibilities took over before a song could become drek, so they ended up cooking some of the tastiest grooves of the 80s. This one collects classics like "I Don't Believe You Wanna Get Up And Dance," a title that means nothing to most people until you remind them that the lyric goes "Ooops, upside your head," at which point they run for the closet to see if the polyester is still hangin' in the back. "Burn Rubber (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)," "You Dropped A Bomb On Me," "Party Train," and the aptly named "Humpin'" still induce embarrassing dance steps and bouncy good times, which is sayin' a lot when you compare this to most of the music that once crowded the top of the disco charts. Get it straight: disco DID suck, but when it was done by bands with deep funk roots, it was oh so fine. That superlative sums up this collection nicely.

Track List:

Burn Rubber (Why You Wanna Hurt Me) * Outstanding * I Don't Believe You Wanna Get Up And Dance (Oops) * Party Train * You Dropped A Bomb On Me * Early In The Morning * Yearning For Your Love * Shake * Season's No Reason To Change * Steppin' (Out) * Humpin'

© 2000 - DJ Johnson