Hamilton Bohannon: Inside Out - 1975

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In 1975 I heard, and loved, Hamilton Bohannon's infectious groover, Disco Stomp. This was the album from whence it came and it is packed (on side one at least) with extended funky disco sounds. 

Just seven tracks but all killers, particular the afore-mentioned one, Foot-Stompin' Music and East Coast Groove. The drums metronomically pound (Bohannon was mainly a drummer), the bass throbs, the organ swirls away and the vocals interject occasionally. 

The music rocks as well as it funks. It is simply great fare and was highly influential amongst the cognoscenti, such as Tom Tom Club, who name-checked Bohannon on their Genius Of Love single "Bohannon, Bohannon, Bohannon, Bohannon - who needs to think when your feet just go....". Indeed. 

The second half of the album is not disco at all, however. Hamilton could do ambient romance too, as he proves on the lush strings and piano of the beautiful Love Is Fading. 

You want some jazz? You will get it on the lush late night vibe of Thoughts And Wishes. Keep On Being My Girl is softly appealing and Happy Feeling gets in the groove again, but catchily as opposed to funkily. In conclusion, I have just one thing to say. I love the rhythmic insistence of Disco Stomp and the side it is on with a vengeance.

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