Record dealer, dj, collector and compiler of the compilation " BECAUSE YOU'RE FUNKY" (released on LO RECORDINGS last year) the Rustler aka Russ Smith lays on us his top ten records that matter. Initially only providing us with a rather short top three, admitedly three of the most amazing records one could wish of owning, Russ felt a little bit mean and promtly went to work to build on his Check Your Soul.

Russ was the guitarist in the band AR Kane and has been on the soul scene for over 20 years as a soul collector, dealer and dj, known today equally for his funk knowledge and collection.

Records That Matter"

1. Brand New Faces "Brand new faces" Lujuna
One of the few Northern rarities to survive the brutal clearout of my collection a few years back. My quest for funk forced me to give up some of my treasured 60s gems. This however was never under threat of sale, a slice of soul so awesome that words cannot quite do justice. Three female vocalists battle it out proto-Hip Hop MC style over the backing track to Jimmy Burns “I really love you”. Magical.



2. Black on white affair "Bunch of changes" Topaz
 A Psyche funk piledriver which came my way despite briefly being in Kebs clutches. This mental track just builds and builds only to be separated by a slightly deranged middle section.A Seattle masterpiece that causes panic in a nightclub,is it Funk Rock? Horror Funk? Or just Sick?



3. Turbines. "Got to start over" Cenco
Los Angeles soul perfection, raw and rare as f*c* . [editors note: and with a £800 price tag expesive as f*c*] On hearing this via Keb at the 100 club, I thought I had heard Northern soul perfection. 15 years later, I think first impressions were indeed lasting.



4. Phil Upchurch "Black Gold" Cadet.
Opening cut from the” Upchurch “ Lp, this is an instrumental version of the track made famous by Rotary Connection. A monstrous 20 piece string section make this one epic, lush guitar work out. A favourite self indulgence track at the Deep Funk warm ups a while back.



5. Lester Tipton "This won’t change" La Beat
Detroit motor city, heavy heavy soul…Late 70s and the DJ Rug in a dingy club in the midlands; a youthful soulboy trying to make out the label details as the record revolved on the Garrard deck….It sounded as mega then as it does today..



6. The Crow "Uncle Funk/Your Autumn of Tomorrow" Inner Ear
2 sides of very deep soul music. One a hammond heavyweight floor smasher the other an oddball Acid trip of a sound. I have indeed listened to this one whilst Lysergically enhanced and it sounds even odder, backwards tapes and mental guitar. Perhaps one of the oddest plays at Northern nites…Ever.



7. Billy Arnell "Tough Girl" Holly
Hammond Northern, still a massive dancefloor fave and so rare its obscene. Simple but so catchy and totally timeless, the sound of a very tight backing band in total control..



8. Judy Freeman and Blackrock "Hold On" RCA
One of so many killer releases on this label and definitely one of the very best. Powerful vocals dominate over a funky midtempo groove, growing in intensity and ending suddenly leaving you high and dry..An album exists although only in acatate form..A beaut.



9. Delores Ealy "The Honeydripper" Duplex
One of Ian Wrights sisters off his album full of female perfection.This ones just got the lot; tough production, gritty vox and an infectious groove.Oh and Dog-rare which makes me love it more because barring a miracle or lottery win I will probably never own it, like a lot of my selections….It.makes em sound even more gorgeous and mysterious, unobtainable and downright irresistable.



10. Johnny King and Fatback "Peace love not war" BC Project II
Words fail me ..It needs no explaining, just a listen and its all clear why this one “matters”


city you live in?
Whitstable, Kent. Fave city: San Francisco

how long you have been collecting?
26 years collecting

most heart stopping find on a digging session?
Baytown records 1985, Alameda, California.....too many gems to mention!
Same store later excavated with much success by Mr Josh Davis.......

ebay. good or evil?
jury still out /short cut for fools with money but great for new sources.

motown or stax?
motown&stax both mega

sneakers or shoes?
Sneakers(wide feet)

creole or gumbo?
Creole King prawn madras.

favourite tipple?
German wheat beer/Cabernet sauvignon

where can people see/hear you play?
Next appearing at Herbal Sept 7th

anything to add?
I love rare 45s so much sometimes I sweat heavily thinking about records I havent got.. They take over my dreams and ruin my finances but I will never have enough of the little blighters...A mint Ramona Collins, An Arthur Monday, A Lester Tipton .... Oh my god you've set me off again, there's just so many I NEED. Badly.

http://www.lorecordings.com