VA - Jazz Dispensary: The Dank D-Funk Blend, Vol. 2 (2021) [Hi-Res]

Doyle Davis (of Grimey’s Nashville) returns to Jazz Dispensary with a sequel to his bestselling Record Store Day Black Friday compilation. The Dank D-Funk Blend Vol.2 is a brand-new compilation of tracks covering all bases of the groove spectrum, from the Latin soul heat of Ray Barretto to the mesmerizing vibrations of Cal Tjader.

Side A opens with the sizzling, Afro-Cuban beats of Ray Barretto’s “Together”—a 1969 call for peace and unity. Charles Earland continues the heat with the expansive “Letha,” a cut off his 1970 LP Black Drops. The set cools down with the soulful grooves of organist Leon Spencer, who covers Marvin Gaye’s “Mercy Mercy Me,” and singer Esther Marrow, with her supremely funky 1972 cut “Things Ain’t Right.”

Side B launches into the hard-driving instrumental title track of Pleasure’s 1977 LP Joyous, followed by vibraphonist Cal Tjader, who offers a mesmerizing cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter.” Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers stimulate the senses with 1968’s “Heat!” before Johnny “Guitar” Watson closes out the compilation with a bluesy number from 1973, “You’ve Got a Hard Head.”

Coming 6/12 for RSD 2021 Drop 1, all selections on The Dank D-Funk Blend, Vol. 2 were mastered from their original analog tapes and pressed on orange fire-colored vinyl at Memphis Record Pressing, with vinyl mastering by Phillip S. Rodriguez at Elysian Masters. Limited to 3,800 units worldwide, the album is housed in a vibrant jacket, featuring embossed artwork by Argentinian artist Mariano Peccinetti, who designed the previous volume’s cover. The compilation will also be available on all digital platforms on June 18th, the Friday following the first RSD drop.