MOG

Or maybe you think it is The US doing Let's Do it Today. Or maybe you'll say THE US were really from Battle Creek, and they just recorded in Grand Rapids. An argument for the ages, no doubt, but if you want to get in the debate, pick up, Midwest Funk-Funk 45's from Tornado Alley. This compilation from England's Jazzman label (licensed here in the States by NowAgain, the reissue arm of Stones Throw), follows the crate diggers search for rare localy produced funky 45's. Like most outfits who are sharing these treasures on CD the diggers have also taken the time to get a little history on the local heroes and dreamers who put these records out (sometimes in batches of 100 copies). Those stories are almost always very interesting and add a whole lot to the listen. Of course, pictures of any bands from the 70's do not dissappoint either and this set is loaded with "period photography."

Some say the music business will become more and more, a local/regional thing as the major label bohemoths release fewer and fewer records and artists take advantage of today's studio-in-a-bedroom technology. If it means more records like this and more local flavor, sign me up.