The monkey’s not normally a huge fan of all things afro-funky but the combination of this 7″ cover of Aretha Franklin’s ’67 soul banger and Betty was too much to resist. Yep, Betty Black doing a afro-funk cover of the late sixties classic – another magnificent showcase for the vocal powerhouse also known as Elisabeth Troy when she’s forced to sing on garage, drum n bass and pop. Also another song, it seems, that (like Mr Big Stuff, Express Yourself and Too Hard To Handle from the same era) is always a winner no matter who does it. If you’ve heard the James Knight & The Butlers or Wanda Davis versions of Save Me – you’ll know what I mean. When I tell you that flip The Asanka Grind is effectively an instro so you can massively extend the breakdown on this badboy if you cop doubles – you won’t just feel saved, you’ll feel positively high (life). See what I did there? Only 350 copies though – get on it!
(Out now on Skyline Recordings)
