Slipstream - The Best Of British Jazz-Funk

Various Artists – Slipstream: The Best Of British Jazz-Funk

A superb snapshot of the British jazz-funk movement at the beginning of the 1980s, Slipstream: The Best Of British Jazz-Funk brings together twelve dancefloor-focused recordings from some of the most influential and exciting names in the UK jazz-funk scene. Originally released in 1981 on Beggars Banquet Records, this double-album compilation captures a particularly creative period when British musicians were developing their own distinctive interpretation of American jazz-funk, soul and disco.

Featuring Light Of The World, UK Players, Shakatak, Central Line, Morrissey Mullen, Hipnosis, Freeez, Level 42, Inversions, Multivizion, Cayenne and Incognito, the collection offers an impressive cross-section of the musicians and groups shaping the sound of British dance music during this era.

The early British jazz-funk scene was built around accomplished musicianship, sophisticated arrangements and an infectious sense of rhythm. Drawing on American funk, jazz fusion, soul and disco, these artists combined tight rhythm sections, prominent basslines, expressive keyboards, punchy horn arrangements and extended instrumental passages to create music equally suited to the jazz club and the dancefloor. The movement also helped establish an important foundation for the UK's developing club culture and subsequent generations of British soul and dance music.

There is plenty to discover across the four sides. Light Of The World's 'London Town' and Freeez's influential 'Southern Freeez' showcase the vibrant, dance-oriented sound emerging from the UK scene, while Shakatak's 'Feels Like The Right Time' and Central Line's 'You Know You Can Do It' demonstrate the melodic sophistication and infectious grooves that made British jazz-funk so distinctive. Level 42's 'Turn It On' provides another highlight, alongside the title track from jazz-rock duo Morrissey Mullen. The contributions from Incognito, Cayenne, Hipnosis and the other featured groups make this a particularly rewarding introduction to the breadth of the movement.

Importantly, Slipstream was conceived as more than a conventional hits collection. Contemporary promotional material described it as four sides of dance music featuring extended versions, making it an attractive proposition for DJs and listeners looking for the longer arrangements and grooves that defined the era's club sound.

An excellent compilation for fans of British jazz-funk, rare groove, jazz fusion, soul, disco and early-1980s dance music. Equally appealing to collectors exploring the Beggars Banquet catalogue and anyone interested in the development of Britain's independent jazz-funk scene.

Tracklist

Side A
A1. Light Of The World – London Town
A2. UK Players – Girl
A3. Shakatak – Feels Like The Right Time

Side B
B1. Central Line – You Know You Can Do It
B2. Morrissey Mullen – Slipstream
B3. Hipnosis (3) – Shaping Up

Side C
C1. Freeez – Southern Freeez
C2. Level 42 – Turn It On
C3. Inversions – Locomoto

Side D
D1. Multivizion – W.T.L.D.L.T.W.
D2. Cayenne – Roberto Who (Instrumental)
D3. Incognito – Incognito