Back catalogue: Funk

Review: Who knew an entertainment career spanning the likes of comic sci-fi series like Red Dwarf and kitsch game shows vis-a-vis Robot Wars could result in a side stint curating soul compilations? Well, it's exactly what happened to Craig Charles, who also happens to have been manning BBC6 Music's soul and funk corner for almost 20 years now, not to mention regularly touring the world as a DJ. This isn't his first 'Trunk of Funk'. The first was overwhelmingly well-received by a "funk hungry public", and now, our national treasure Craigy-boy has ensured said public doesn't starve a second time round. Backboned by Charles' introductory yells to imaginary screaming crowds - "are you ready!?" - we cycle through funk bits both old and new, exclusive and widely-available, from Cha Wa to Luther Ingram to Joel Culpepper. Craig says: "Give your ears and feet enough mellifluous musical fodder to last you until Volume 3 - Awooga!"

Review: Red Dwarf star turned soap actor and longtime BBC Radio 6 Music funk master Craig Charles has put together a first volume of classics for your delectation. On a double vinyl collection that spans 20 tracks he traverse every conceivable style from the earliest days of the genre right up to today. The cuts remain pleasingly underground and carefully dug out rather than veering into obvious filler territory and there are up-tempo cuts with more deep and pained offerings. It also includes two 'Trunk Of Funk Edits' that are 100% exclusive to this compilation and not available anywhere else.