Various Party Keller 2

Jazzanova’s Florian Keller’s first Party Keller compilation was a weak effort; a hodgepodge of reggae, funk, electro and zydeco that was confusingly sequenced and certainly no party. It seemed to be the classic example of the limitations of a compilation based entirely on rare tracks that don’t have any business being together. Party Keller 2 remedies all the faults of the first volume: there are still some rare cuts, but this is a much tighter and more modern sequence befitting a party. Starting with a spunky early ’80s reggae rendition of "Am I the Same Girl,” the disc dives into the neo-funk of the Baker Brothers, the Pan-Atlantics and Lefties Soul Connection. Each one grooves harder than the last in a nice bit of sequencing, then the mix detours to Afrobeat, including the disc’s highlight "Bula” by Pnu Riff. After a brief and humorous UK hip-hop joint by Travis Blaque, the tempo ups again into disco re-edits. The closer is Jacksoul’s "Unconditional Love,” which in the liner notes, Keller says reminds him of Terry Callier’s ’70s work — never really thought of it that way, but it’s a nice ending nonetheless. This is a tight little party disc that more than makes the next volume in the series worth waiting for. (Compost)