Various

Compiled by Will Holland of the Quantic Soul Orchestra, The World’s Rarest Funk 45’s is 16 of the heaviest deep funk cuts you’ve probably never heard. Chronicling the years 1967 to ’74 with now next-to-impossible finds like Sandi & Matues’ "The World (Pt. 1)” and the one-off acetate of M&S Band’s "Egg Roll,” The World’s Rarest Funk 45’s documents the smaller outfits that recorded for tiny independent labels yet more often than not forged a sound as hard as the day’s better known acts like James Brown and Kool & the Gang, etc. Cases in point are the Prepositions’ "Something Different,” an invigorating instrumental driven by a fist-pumping rhythm reminiscent of Sly & the Family Stone, and the Brothers Seven’s wickedly tight cover of Santana’s "Evil Ways,” replete with a smoking organ solo and full-on horn section. Holland has done his homework, as this package contains informative liners as well as a rarity rating guide for the songs. But what ultimately makes this collection so compelling is not the rarity of these sides but the music itself; uncompromising, gritty and yes, funky as hell.