This is described as ‘a journey through the archives of the fabled and historic KPM Music Library, but there’s no stuffy old relics here! In fact there is a wealth of original funk and groove, often used by DJs either in sets or for sampling, with an impressive live feel to the recordings that holds the whole way through. Duncan Lamont’s ‘Funky Express’ typifies the sound, with its bright and brassy approach, while John Cameron’s ‘Swamp Fever’ is cool and groovy. William Farley and Dennis Bovell go for a pleasant excursion on the ‘Reggae Train’, while Keith Mansfield and Alan Hawkshaw offer quality instrumental funk elsewhere. Hawkshaw it is who takes centre stage for the second CD, which is a live set recorded in 2000 that gives a rare opportunity to hear the KPM All Stars in some Mohawks material such as ‘Senior Thump’, which presses the right buttons, before ending with a medley of library classics as written for sports shows. There might be a fairly select audience for this, but funk and soul DJs after a rare piece of memorabilia should definitely not hesitate.
4 out of 5
Reviewed By Ben Hogwood
