Fat Slice O' Funk

"Veering between breakbeat-strewn James Brown strut and a glorious Motown-outtake sound, the Soul Investigators aren't faking their funk.”
- MOJO (4 stars)

Arguably one of the world's finest new exponents of instrumental soul and deep funk, The Soul Investigators present their best of collection, 'Fat Slice O' Funk', a barnstorming collection which will knock you out with the grinding soulful sounds of New Orleans - except for one thing - this strut is coming straight out of Finland, on their own label Timmion.

Inspired by James Brown, The Meters, Booker T and The MG's and Mickey and The Soul Generation, The Soul Investigators don't stray from the righteous path – this is raw, authentic funk!

'Fat Slice O' Funk' features New York soulstress Nicole Willis, with the track "Rag Doll". Willis began her career in London in '84, singing and writing with The Brand New Heavies, while her sound has been likened to Sharon Jones and she's been embraced by the UK's Northern Soul scene - with an overwhelming response to her new LP 'Keep Reachin' Up'.

The album also features the vocals of Philadelphia soul legend, the late Herb Johnson on 'Make You Wanna Holla'. In '72, Johnson cut his sought after 'Damph F'Aint', a James Brown-inspired funk cult classic complete with extemporaneous lyrics. Herb was the grandson of Louis Armstrong, recognisable immediately with Herbs gravel voice and appearance.

From humble beginnings in Finland during the winter of '97, The Soul Investigators have forged a worldwide reputation after a string of classic 7” singles [which now fetch $100's of dollars on eBay] and two LP releases on their own Timmion label, along with sides for Jive records and the now defunct New York-based Soul Fire Records.

The Soul Investigators have been cooking in the deep funk underground for long enough. Now with a full-fat, creamy collection in 'Fat Slice O' Funk', here they are - fat, tasty and straight up funky - but still raw as hell!

"When they hit it right they REALLY hit it right! …some of the best soul cuts recorded this side of the '70s.”
- soulgeneration

"Got THAT sound down perfectly. Supporting this every way I can.”
- Gilles Peterson [BBC Radio 1]