Funk Grooves

Originally released in the UK in 2002 under the title The Funkiest Man, this compilation came out in the U.S. in 2003 with the slightly different title Funkiest Man Alive. The tracks, song sequence, and liner notes on each release were identical, though the cover art was different. It gathers 18 of Rufus Thomas' funk-oriented songs from 1967-1975, though only a few '60s sides are here. His biggest funk hit of all, "Do the Funky Chicken," is not here, and though the liners point out that the song is available on other Stax compilations, why not put it on here anyway? In its favor, there's little overlap between this anthology and the Stax CD Funky Chicken, a reissue of his 1969 LP Do the Funky Chicken with seven bonus tracks from his 1968-1974 singles…

ASM’s debut full-length album ‘Platypus Funk’ was allegedly created by the 3 young migratory Platypi Green-T, FP, and Fade near a lazy stream in a forest where it’s always summer in high school. Having slipped into the tributary off the mainstream by accident, the Platypi soon began indulging in the surrounding greenery and floating through the peaceful waters, spending their nights jamming with the jazzed-out local Echidna population, and they decided to stick around. After excavating a crate of dusty records stacked with roots reggae, rare soul and raw funk from the muddy river banks, the Platypi soon got to work building a recording nest from whatever flotsam came their way. After two sun-drenched years, they sent a wooden cassette of their recordings downstream, in the hopes that others would stumble across it and join their tranquil commune. What was discovered on the tape marked ‘Platypus Funk’ was a pure manifestation of the ASM Platypus vibe: rhyme-flipping nerdery, deep funk grooves, soulful horn-lines and neck-snapping boom-bap drums.
The features list reads as a testament to the inspirations and companions that have encountered the ASM Platypi on their path. They include Dj Vadim (BBE Music), Sadat X (Brand Nubian), Wildchild (Stones Throw), Kid Kanevil (Firstword), Bonobo (Tru-Thoughts) and Mr Mattic (Wax Tailor crew).