Volume 2 of this series concentrates on the more funkier side of the labels output opening with Curtis Mayfields 'Right On For The Darkness' a piece of early seventies bongo backed funk no too dissimilar to his other monster tune 'If There's A Hell Below'.  There can't be a dancefloor in the UK that hasn't bumped its way through Fred Wesley's 'House Party' which is still in demand on original full length 12". The ex James Brown trumpeter delivers this innocent piece of dancefloor magic which sounds just like what the Fatback Band gave us in '74'

Post Mayfield Impressions line-up of around 1975 had a mixed reaction as I remember from soul fans who could not make their mind up as to whether their songs would be up to standard without Curtis. They were not to be disappointed and on listening to 'Preacher Man' and other tracks from the same LP one could see that whilst remaining at Curtom they were to be in safe hands in around a sound they had helped to create.

A pure funk work-out can be found on Groundhog's 'Keep On Bumpin' a style not too distant from what War had given us a year or so earlier and which needs a really specialised audience today to have much impact yet takes nothing away from its quality.

Next up the killer track on this set from the Impressions with their interpretation of Marvin Gaye's classic 'Inner City Blues' a they do not disappoint. Not an easy song to cover but the arrangement and vocal style would have done Marvin proud
(and no doubt did) Not even Grover Washington could match this version. The Philly based Jones Girls deliver a really funky track in the form of 'Hey Lucinda' a track that has had much expose in rare groove venues and is far removed from their material during the late seventies and early eighties for Gamble and Huff's empire. Nevertheless a powerful performance from the girls and probably the best dancer on this CD. In addition to that the girls give us a sweet ballad in 'I Turn To You' with some great piano backing a sweet vocal harmonies which are as close as you will get to the sound that we know and love of today.

The rest of this set is made up of funk tunes from the likes of Ed Townsend/Love's Children/Ruby Jones/Baby Huey etc, and whilst in my opinion they are not as strong as the the commercial ones on Vol 1 will no doubt have a market somewhere amongst those who like their soul with a harder edge to it. Myself I prefer the sweeter side of the labels output.

Personal rating 6/10
Expect to pay around £10.00 in the UK.