JAMES KNIGHT & THE BUTLERS Vinyl & CDs

Review: J Daisuke Kuroda is one of Japan's celebrated curators of funk and soul in the Far East. He has been digging in the vast and vital vaults of Miami's T.K. Records and come up with this superb 7" reissue for the latest in his much loved "Kickin" series. It takes the form of a first ever single cut from the cult 1971 psychedelic funk album Black Knight by James Knight & The Butlers. They are one of the label's most iconic outfits among many and the super killer funk of 'Fantasy World,' is irresistible while the hauntingly beautiful yet more mellow "Just My Love For You' is on the flip.

Review: James Knight & The Butlers originally released 'Baby Please Pretty Please' and 'Space Guitar' back in 1972 and it is a cult classic soul 7" that now gets reissued via Topic Drift Music. This is as gritty and hard edged as soul gets with a southern twist - it's a sound that peaked at this time just before the disco invasion. 'Baby Please Pretty Please' is deep cut with crisp drums and a lo-fi feel under the buttery vocal harmonies and warm chords. 'Space Guitar is just that - a psyched-out sound with big sleazy riffs and filthy bass.