Funkaholica

>> Egon runs down the 10-step program that funked him up in 2001

by SCOTT C

L.A.’s Eothen “Egon” Alapatt has it bad. This walking funk encyclopedia can do nothing else but DJ and dig, research, archive and hunt down the origins of funk and soul music that so many have never heard (check out his Funky 16 Corners comp, on Stone’s Throw, for proof). Poor guy. These are his “new funk” picks for 2001, in his own words.

New Mastersounds “Nervous” (Deep Funk/BBE) “After hearing Cut Chemist mix this one into an electro set, I was sold. Produced by the Highlands’ finest, Keb Darge.”
Soul Destroyers “Good Things” (Stark Reality) “Malcom Catto is one of London’s deepest funk collectors, and one of funk’s finest drummers. Period. Scorching.”

Whitefield Brothers In the Raw (Soul Fire) “Oooh! The Poets of Rhythm moonlighting under the Americanized version of drummer Max and guitarist Jan’s last name—Weissenfeldt.”
Lee Fields “I’m the Man” (Soul Fire) “Blues yelper Lee Fields outdoes Chris Jones with what is probably this New York label’s most danceable record.”
Malcom Catto Popcorn Bubblefish (Mo’ Wax) “This headcase barricades himself in a room with a set of drums, a $20 Casio keyboard, a guitar and a bass and emerges with the coolest, weirdest record of the past year.”

Little Barrie “Memories Well” (Stark Reality) “This London-based trio may be more rock than funk, but this ‘Cold Sweat’-inspired, Cymande-calling seven-inch burns like no other.”
Breakestra “Deuces Up, Double Down (Part Two)” (Stones Throw) “Miles Tackett’s latest original composition has been getting not one but two spins a night at Keb’s Deep Funk night in London!”

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings “Got a Thing on my Mind” (Daptone) “Gabe Roth teams up with Neal Sugarman to form what may turn out to be new funk’s most consistent label. Their first release is on par with any of the classic 45s by JB’s vocalettes.”
Sugarman Three “Solid Funk” (Soul Fire) “This song marks the group’s departure from the Blue Note range to the heavy, heavy realm of deep funk.”
Poets of Rhythm Discern/Define (Quannum) “New funk’s old guard comes up with the most open-minded recording of the past year, taking listeners through the world of Can, Eugene McDaniels and the Meters. Stunning.” :

With Troubleman and Alex Robbins at Quartier Latin on Saturday, Jan. 26, 9pm, $6