Don Covay - Funky Yo-Yo (1977) Expanded Reissue 2006
EAC | FLAC | Tracks (Cue&Log) ~ 216 Mb | Mp3 (CBR320) ~ 119 Mb | Scans ~ 81 Mb
Soul, Deep Soul, Rhythm & Blues | Label: Shout! | # SHOUT 25 | Time: 00:52:10
EAC | FLAC | Tracks (Cue&Log) ~ 216 Mb | Mp3 (CBR320) ~ 119 Mb | Scans ~ 81 Mb
Soul, Deep Soul, Rhythm & Blues | Label: Shout! | # SHOUT 25 | Time: 00:52:10
One of the most obscure albums Covay cut, Funky Yo Yo slipped out in 1977 on the tiny Versatile label, with such little notice that it's even escaped getting listed in some discographies. It's a strange record, too, with production so sparse (and some dull muffle to the sound fidelity, though it's not a serious impediment) that one suspects these might be demos, or perhaps not even 1977 recordings. Yet in a way that very rootsy, stripped-down feel makes it appealing, particularly as it was appearing at a time when many fellow soul greats of Covay's generation were issuing bloated, hopeless attempts to jump on the disco bandwagon. Far from emulating Barry White, Covay sounds rather like Van Morrison on much of this material, though the similarity's probably coincidental. Particularly on the more bare-bones arrangements, these actually have a cool intimate feel, as if they're songwriter demos intended for pitches to '60s Atlantic recording artists.