Pop Funk

Ze Records boasted an early-'80s roster that included the varied likes of Alan Vega, Kid Creole & the Coconuts (who was also the imprint's house producer), Was (Not Was), John Cale, the Waitresses, and Christina. The label's musical focus was often on the poppy and eclectic offshoots of New York punk, with more raw acts like Lydia Lunch, James Chance & the Contortions, and Suicide balancing things out with some typically askew contributions. Even though this second label roundup does not feature those fine proponents of Gotham's underground ethos, it still provides a fairly thorough overview of Ze's best acts.

After making a comeback in 1981, the revamped 1980s version of Grand Funk Railroad took one last stab at the '80s rock market with What's Funk? This time, the band enlisted Gary Lyons (producer for Foreigner and the Outlaws) to create an updated version of the kind of slickly produced album that made the group into a pop hitmaker during the mid-'70s…

One of the 1970s' most successful hard rock bands in spite of critical pans and somewhat reluctant radio airplay (at first), Grand Funk Railroad built a devoted fan base with constant touring, a loud, simple take on the blues-rock power trio sound, and strong working-class appeal…