Maillist
Various
- Soviet Funk Volume 2
- Format: Vinyl LP
- Catalogue Number: SSRLP269
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Secret Stash
- Release Date: 15 March 2010
-
PRICE: £16.99
Soviet Funk Volume 2
This collection of Soviet Funk was all recorded by Pavel Sysoyev in Abakan, the capital city of Khakassia between 1971 and 1976. Sysoyev was an employee of the USSR State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcast, and ran a recording studio intended to create content solely for the government-controlled media. However, Sysoyev frequently brought in his friends and run late night recording sessions when no one else was around. In spite of the loosened restrictions on art and music during the 70s, most Soviet citizens had very limited access to essential American funk records. Sysoyev acquired a small collection of US r&b and jazz albums in ‘68, but that was about it for him and his friends. Yet somehow, this small group of classically trained musicians was able to forge a funky sound of their own.
Rooted much deeper in the jazz quartet tradition than the r&b styling of James Brown and The Meters, they tapped into a way of playing jazz with a relentless groove that is enduringly refered to as The Funk, incorporating elements of Russian classical music, complex poly-rhythms, and the use of time signatures other than the 4/4 so commonly found in most American funk. Where Volume 1 served as a more accessible and user-friendly introduction to Sysoyev’s vast archive, it only scratched the surface of the musicality and creativity found in his collection. Volume 2 takes a closer look at the more- jazz infused side of Pavel’s signature Soviet Funk sound. It includes more complex compositions and a much more aggressive playing style. However, it still maintains that groovy fun spirit captured so well in Volume 1. Eight track vinyl-only set, pressed on two-colour red and black wax, including free download card to access digital versions. This release will not be available on CD.
