After the funk explosion of the mid 60’s, the groove soon took root in the Caribbean, mixing with the regions own diverse musical history. “Tropical Funk Experience” is a collection of tracks from the so called “golden era” of tropical funk of the late 60s and early 70s. It compiles rare, previously unheard recordings and classic tracks from across the Caribbean.

Compiled by tropical authority, Hugo Mendez, the informed selection spans ten countries and the variation of styles and influences sets the compilation apart. Alongside some classic funk groove tracks, such as The Blue Rhythm Combo’s Black Water Gold version and a rare funk track by Jamaican Ska legends The Skatalites, it is the cross-genre explorations which really stand out.

Andre Taker’s outstanding Back Home and The Gay Flamingoes epic, eight minute, steel-pan version of Afrobeat classic Black Man’s Cry represent the Trinidadian scene whilst the island of Barbados features heavily with groups mixing funk with their Bajan heritage, such as the spouge-funk on Lunar 7’s Spouge Explosion and Richard Stoute and The Organisation’s cover of Vehicle. “Calypso King” Mighty Sparrow turns out a very funky calypso alongside St Vincent Latinaires own Vincentian calypso-funk and the deep, psychedelic, jazz-funk of Bermudan band The Invaders is a rare treat.

Mendez’ short but informative sleeve notes give background to the groups and tracks inspiring you to go a little further and look up the artists featured and the movements they created or belonged to. The product of musical discovering and deep crate digging, this great 20 track compilation is, as with the previous “funk experience” releases, a welcome insight into the overlooked influence funk music had across the world.