I remember back in 1994 when Rhino Records released the first batch of 'Phat Trax' CDs.These CDs are essential if you're fan of Old School R&B and funk.There are so many rare,forgotten and hard-to-find jams spread throughout the seven volumes..."Ridin High" by Faze-O,"Thighs High" by Tom Browne,"Bon Bon Vie" by T.S.Monk,"We Got The Juice" by Attitude,"Shackles" by R.J.'s Latest Arrival,etc.In addition,alot of well-known jams are included as well,in their full-lengh versions.Volumes 1-5 were released first,then a few years later,they released Volumes 6 and 7.But why stop there?! They could keep this thing going.I can think of numerous other jams that could appear on future volumes....

"Imagination" by the BB&Q Band (1982)
"Saturday Night" by ?? (you know....the song that goes "Sunday,Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday,Saturday,Saturday night we all party down")
"Rock Creek Park" by the Blackbyrds (1976)
"I Know You've Got Another" by the Reddings (1982)
"Player's Ball" by Mazarati (1986)
"Swing Low" by R.J.'s Latest Arrival (1985)


any others?

SoulAlive said:

I'd buy your compilation!!!


...

Get Down: Gene Chandler (1977)
Loose Caboose: Joe Tex (1979)
Burnin' Hot: Jermaine Jackson (1979)
Free World: Jesse Johnson's Revue (1985)

LittleBLUECorvette said:

"Free World" (12" version) already appears on Volume 3 interestingly,it appears right after The Time's "777-9311".

paligap said:

A Funky Space Reincarnation: Marvin Gaye (1979)
Backstrokin': Fatback Band (1980)
LOvely One: Jacksons (1980)
Sex-o-Matic: Bar-Kays (1984)
Digital Display: Ready for the World (1984)
Alice, I want You Just for Me: Full Force (1985)

LittleBLUECorvette said:

"Backstrokin" already appears on Volume 2 but that's a cool list you came up with!

Stone Jam: Slave (1980)
Hang-Tite: Keni Burke (1981)
I Found Lovin': Fatback Band (1983)
You Don't Stand Another Chance: Janet Jackson (1984)
You Wear It Well: DeBarge (1984)
High Fashion: Family (1985)
Attack Me With Your Love: Cameo (1985)
Strokin': Clerance Carter (1985)
Static: James Brown (1988)

LittleBLUECorvette said:

I like your list

I've been strokin....that's what I've been doing....I've been strokin!

"Phat Trax" is the absolute best compilation series out there and all the songs are either album versions or 12 Inch versions.

SoulAlive, most of the tracks you listed, I already have on other compilations that have come out since "Phat Trax". However, there is one very rare 12 Inch version I would really like to have....."Do It (Let Me See You Shake)" by The Barkays....not the album, but the 12 Inch. I couldn't even find it back when it was popular and the only place I heard it was on a Memphis radio station (where the Barkays are from).

vainandy said:

well then,add that to the list


speaking of rare 12" versions....an earlier volume of 'Phat Trax'(Volume 5?) includes GQ's "Disco Nights (Rock Freak)" but it's an odd version that I had never heard before.It sounds almost like a demo I don't remember hearing this version back in 1979.Does anyone what this version is? A rare remix? An early demo? A promo-only version?

I have "Disco Nights (Rock Freak)" on several compilations and "Phat Trax" is the only one that has the long version. I had just assumed that it was GQs album version. Maybe it's a 12 Inch?

...

Funkanova - Wood Brass & Steel

Don't You Wanna Make Love Tonight - Shotgun

Let's Rock and Roll- Atlantic Starr

Runing From The Law - Stargard

Never Get Away - Slave

You Meet My Approval - Steve Arrington

Too Hot To Be Cool - Ebonee Webb

Sizzling Hot - Slave

Perfect Fit - Jerry Knight

Let's Get Up - Skyy

Overnite Sensation - Jerry Knight

Superheroes - 9th Creation

Fun City - Vernon Burch

I've Been Watching You - Midnight Star

Can't Get Over Losing You - Junie Morrison

Funk N' Bop - Mutiny

Haboglabotribbin' - Bernard Wright

Show Me Where You're Coming From - Carrie Lucas

Burning Up - Mutiny

Fantality - Osiris

A Little love - Aurra


...




...

vainandy said:

No,it's not the album version I have GQ's debut album and the version of "Disco Nights" is similiar to the single version,it's just a few minutes longer.The version that appears on 'Phat Trax Volume 5' is something entirely different...it sounds kinda unfinished,like an early demo.It's missing the "oooompph" that you find on the regular version.The vocals sound flat.

"Maybe it's a 12 Inch?"

I find it hard to believe that they would release such a lame version as the 12".Back then,most 12" versions were excellent and really took the songs to new heights.

paligap said:

"Overnight Sensation" by Jerry Knight

vainandy said:

http://www1.gemm.com/sear...ar-Kays/D/

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Free World is already included on one of the Phat Trax compilations.

SoulAlive said:

The version on the Phat Trax is the original 12" version. I have the promo 12" single and it contains the version you hear on the compilation. That was done a few times that I can think of for 12" versions in the late 70s and early 80s. One that immediately comes to mind is "Boogie Oogie Oogie" from A Taste of Honey. In my opinion, the single version kicks the 12" version's ass. Another that comes to mind is "Second Time Around" by Shalamar. The 12" version has all of the extra horns.

daPrettyman said:

Wow,thanks for the info.That "Disco Nights" 12" version is WHACK compared to the regular single and album versions.

daPrettyman said:

Yep,it's on Volume 3