Breaks: Eccentric Soul (The Prix Label)

There’s apparently been a great deal of funk and soul music released from Ohio at various times throughout the last few decades. Of course, Dayton’s the Ohio Players rank up there amongst the best known, but then there’re also the La Verts as well as the O’Jays. Those names are all top tier, chart ranking stalwarts of the genre, though. And as would be expected, for just as many hits there were as many tracks cut that went pretty much nowhere.

The odd thing about all of that is the fact that it took a Chicago based record label to hunt down, clean up and distill the music that was almost lost to dust bins and resale shops in and around Columbus.

Beginning in 2003, the Numero Group embarked on an impressive campaign to collect, preserve and send out funk and soul works that didn’t do too much in he way of business the first time around. And while there’s still no other explanation for the recent love-affair with funky re-issues, the Numero Group’s Eccentric Soul Series has rounded up singles from a variety of small run imprints and somehow made a career of resurrecting the fallen – this past fall, there was even a short tour featuring some groups that have recently be compiled on compact disc.

Detroit will probably remain the first place that folks think of when soul music is mentioned, but with two entries into the Eccentric Soul Series, Columbus seems to be as an impressive well of music as anywhere else. The city’s first entry into the reissue campaign, which focused on the Capsul label, began the Numero Group’s domination in high quality reissues. Eccentric Soul (the Prix Label), though, picks up where that last disc left off.

Housed in a well designed, put all too dainty package, is a spate of 19 tracks that while not organized by performer could have been while lending a better portrait of what each entertainer was capable of.

The best represented act on the disc is a gentleman named Eddie Ray, who goes in on five tracks (if you count the demo version of a cut that’s represented twice). Regardless, Ray’s all tough soul stuffs and funky back beats. He’s not a latter day Otis Redding or even a James Brown impersonator – there’s not any true copy cat in the track listing.

Instead of recasting other, better known groups there are a few gritty offerings from OFS Unlimited. Its first track, “Mister Kidney,” begins as something of a Fat Albert styled jam before the group’s vocalist kicks in. And while the entire track is rewarding, the guitar solo that’s included after the first chorus is something akin to latter day psych stuff that was bubbling just below the surface of the radio as this cut was getting set down.

Granted, there’re some average tracks here - Penny & The Quarters’ “You and Me,” for instance isn’t stellar, but in its low rent charm there’s success. Regardless, this entry into the Eccentric Soul Series should please fanatics and new comers alike.