I hereby reserve an annual top-five slot [go-go gadget hyperbole] for whatever subsequent earthy sediment Now-Again might dig up–or license for domestic release, as UK imprint Jazzman Records (also responsible for the Midwest and Texas Funk compilations) did the actual excavating. Confused? Me too. What’s that savory aroma wafting from the cauldron?  It’s a hearty goulash of chunky grooves, salty guitar licks, and saucy spit valves from the sticky croc pot that is Florida. Enjoy the original sultry, stripped-down version of Gwen McCrae’s consummate “90% of Me is You” as performed by Vanessa Kendrick — producers Clarence Reid and Steve Alaimo first recorded the bittersweet sizzler with a young Kendrick in Miami in ’72.  Reid’s ribald Blowfly persona also makes an appearance as he helms the instrumental “Blowfly Theme,” anchored by James Knight & the Butlers. Such information is provided by an extensive liner-notes booklet—which people used to read--featuring bios, photos, and personnel accounts. Mosquito spray not included.

Loren “Folklore” Cone