Manu Dibango - Countdown at Kusini (1975)

 

1. Go Slow Streets
2. Motapo
3. Promenade (Kusini)
4. Bokolo's Boogie
5. Jam Session
6. Marnie
7. Bush
8. Lea's Love Theme
9. Blowin' Western Mind
10. Liberation's Song
11. Red Salter

Blaxploitation.com
Manu Dibango is one of the original fathers of the Afro-funk scene. His huge worldwide hit 'Soul Makossa' paved the way for artists such as Fela Kuti and Hugh Masakela. This rare soundtrack was produced in tiny quantities for the premiere of the obscure Ossie Davis movie in Seattle in August 1975. Each album is individually numbered, and signed by the cast. It's a superb blend of African rhythms, jazz, and a heavy dose of space jazz and funk. There are too many good tracks to mention, from uptempo dancefloor cuts to slower mellow numbers, all featuring Manu's superb sax playing. Thanks to Wonder B (the original French funkateer) for a hot tip on this one.

Edwin Starr - Hell Up In Harlem (1974)

1. Ain't It Hell Up In Harlem
2. Easin' In
3. Big Papa
4. Love Never Dies (Helen's Love Theme)
5. Don't It Feel Good To Be Free)
6. Runnin' | Jennifer's Love Theme
7. Airport Chase
8. Mama Should Be Here Too
9. Like We Used To Do
10. Ain't It Hell Up In Harlem (instr.)

Blaxploitation.com
Originally due to be scored by James Brown using material from what later became his 'The Payback' LP, this soundtrack by Fonce Mizell and Freddie Perren nevertheless contains some great funk tracks. Edwin Starr is in fine form on the slowburn conga-lead 'Easin' In', while the tight funk band can be heard to full effect on the instrumental 'Runnin'. A consistently good album with several noteable tracks.

Badder Than Evil - Gordon's War (1973)

1. Child Of Tomorrow (sung by Barbara Mason)
2. Just Plain Luther
3. He'll Be There
4. Roberta's Theme
5. Harlem Dreams
6. Come And Dream Some Paradise (sung by New Birth)
7. Tell That Man To Go To Hell
8. Child Of Tomorrow
9. Super Shine Number 9 (sung by Sister Goose And The Ducklings)
10. Hot Wheels (The Chase)
11. Child Of Tomorrow (sung by Barbara Mason)

Blaxploitation.com
Gordon's War' is one of the most consistently raw and funky soundtracks of the entire blaxploitation catalog. A superb studio band, Badder Than Evil, join forces with Barbara Mason, New Birth and Sister Goose And The Ducklings to create a classic blaxploitation album to rival the likes of Coffy and Across 110th Street. The sound is tight, small group funk backed with a strong brass section. 'Hot Wheels (The Chase)' is one of the very best soundtrack funk chase themes. The vocal tracks are strong and soulful, too.

Herbie Hancock - Fat Albert Rotunda (1969)

1. Wiggle waggle
2. Fat mama
3. Tell me a bedtime story
4. Oh! oh! here he comes
5. Jessica
6. Fat Albert Rotunda
7. Lil' brother

Blaxploitation.com
Taken from Bill Cosby's TV series, this album is superb from start to finish. Similar in feel (although more hip jazzy) to The Adventurers rescore by Quincy Jones, there's so many good tracks on here that it's difficult to pick the good ones. Suffice to say it's been sampled many times, from the snappy funky jazz of Wiggle Waggle to Fat Mama. The band are super-tight, really spacious and jazzy in tone, with plenty of strong brass work over some very, very groovy backline. A pleasure to listen to, and highly recommended.