On The South Side (2009)
1. I'm A Streaker Baby (Arlean Brown)
2. Bowlegged Woman (Bobby Rush)
3. No Better Time Than Now (Ricky Allen)
4. The Same One (Little Mac Simmons)
5. This Is My Prayer (Lady Margo)
6. You Made Me Suffer (Andrew Brown)
7. Gimmie Some Of Yours (Artie White)
8. Women's Lib (Lucille Span)
9. Bring It Down Front (Hugh Hawkins)
10. I Sayed That (Slim Willis Band)
11. It's A Dream (Little Ed)
12. Is It Because I'm Black - Instrumental (Syl Johnson)
13. Baby Watcha' Doing (Walter 'Butterball' Davis)
14. Detroit Blues (Willie Williams)
15. Goose Walk (Little Mack)
16. Young Blood (Detroit Jr.)
17. I Learned My Lesson (Willie Davis)
18. California Lady (James Kind)
LinkOn the surface this would seem like your normal compilation of undiscovered mid-1970's gems from Chicago's funk/soul/r&b/blues scene. However, Numero group have upped the ante on this by making it only available as a 2xlp that comes bundled together with a book of photos taken in around the Chicago clubs where this kind of music was being played, either on the jukebox's or live on the stage. I can't vouch for the book, since I was only sent the music for review (and it's worth noting that the whole package costs $60), but based on the tunes I imagine lot's of photos of young club-goers dancing up a storm with big Oscar Gamble-like afros and wild pimped out 70's apparel. Now on to the the music: There's seventeen songs here by mostly unknown artists (the biggest name is Syl Johnson, who provides an instrumental take on his "Is It Because I'm Black") but don't let the lack of familiarity turn you off from the cornucopia of blues-inspired funk found here. There are a few skip-able instrumentals but there are also a hefty group of classics in the making like Bobby Rush's stoned out "Bowlegged Woman, Knock Kneed Man", Little Mack Simmons" soul stunner "The Same One", and the wah-wah heavy junkyard funk of"Give Me Some Of Yours" by Artie White. The price tag may be steep (and it would probably make sense if Numero released this as a stand-alone CD for those who just want the music without the costly book) but so are the rewards.
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JAZZ DOWNLOAD VOL. XVII, Jazzzzzzzzz, ჯაზი სულის თავისუფლებაა! 
