This is the first album of Mickey Stevenson's Venture material. 'Funky Way' was the label's first release and a hit in 1967, despite limited airplay due to having the word "funky" in the title. It went on to become an early funk classic, covered by Rufus Thomas for Stax, Tommy Strand for Fame, Jimmy Bee for Kent, Ray Johnson and others. Though mainly recorded in Los Angeles, Calvin Arnold was a southern soul singer from Atlanta, Georgia and the material is in that vein - there are Mighty Hannibal produced tracks, recorded in Atlanta. Apart from the eight released sides, Mickey Stevenson's tapes have provided five previously unreleased numbers including the up-tempo mover 'Your Love Is Too Much' and the superb southern funk grooves of 'Trying To Fly My Kite (In Rainy Weather)' and 'Fool Me Baby'. The package features never before seen photos and a 5,000-word biography of the revered singer from Atlanta musicologist Brian Poust. The LP and CD have the same tracks, the CD is chronologically ordered by release, whereas the LP is programmed for optimum listening pleasure for that format.

Tracklist:

Funky Way
Tryin' to Fly My Kite (In Rainy Weather)
Snatchin' Back
Your Love Is Too Much
You Got to Live for Yourself
Messin' with the Old Folks Home
Mama-In-Law
Lovely Way to Go
Fool Me Baby
Scoobie Doo
Mini Skirt
Mo Jo Hannah
Just a Matter of Time

UPC: 029667021111
Label: Kent Records Uk
Release Date: 2.2.24
Format: Vinyl

Calvin Arnold - Funky Way: Venture Recordings 1967-1969 (Uk) (LP)