Brick – Sister Twister [1976] April 13, 2012

Cracking funk marathon from Brick, taken from their very first album “Good High”. Nothing but huge amounts of bassline, horns and twangy lead guitar business, seriously monstrous funk business.

Dave Angel – Funk Music (DJ Tonka Remix) [1997] February 24, 2012

What a cracker this is, its fast enough to be a Dave Angel techno wonder but Tonka chucks in a bucketload of disco-house goodness wrapping the whole track into an absolute dancefloor destroyer. Its got the trademark Angel crispy high hats and snares but lots of string work (from Tonka no doubt). If this track cant get your ass moving you’ve gotta be dead since every dancefloor I’ve seen it dropped on the place has just erupted! What a great track.

Earl Grey – The Lick [1995] February 14, 2012

What a corker this track is. I had it on “Future Funk” (Its still in the Garage Dad!) a bloody excellent album of DnB and downtempo classics amongst other things. This is most definitely one of the stand out tracks on there, one of a core few really top shelf jazzy “Intelligent” Drum & Bass tunes. The track didnt really see a whole lot of club play, I think I heard it a few times in the chill out lounge at Goodbye Cruel World but for the most part, this is a track for the car or your lounge at 1am. The bass is pure and the break is clean and absence of any over the top synth work just make this a minimalist classic for me. Fantastic, The Lick indeed!

Ugress – Loungemeister [2002] February 13, 2012

Back in the early 2000′s I was very heavy into my big breaks and funky rhythms, stuff that might have gone by the term “Big Beat” if it wasnt for all the cheese associated with that genre! That said, this track here from Ugress is the very definition of funky breaks, with its massive snare assault, funky ass bassline and panpipes for extra measure. I caught this on “Monkey Radio” back in the day but the EP for this is so damn rare, I never managed to snag myself a copy. Now of course, youtube has everything, hence, get on this one right now!

George Benson – Give Me The Night [1980] January 1, 2012

One of the smoothest disco funk tracks your ever likely to hear from one of the most gifted artists of the genre. I defy anyone not to tap their feet and nod their heads to this classic. Its been remixed a ton of times, some of them pretty good (I even up’d one on here way back in 08) but nothing beats the original. It was written by Rod Temperton, who’s other contributions to music include Thriller and Rock With You. Not bad for a pasty white Englishman!

Another milestone for 2012 is that last night we passed 8K unique views to “From The Cans”. Which is incredible since this site is just over 3 years old and I never thought anyone would read it other than Fiver! So thank you all very much and have a great 2012!

Aloe Blacc – I Need A Dollar [2010] December 8, 2011

I caught this on the truly quality EatBeatz, Tasty Beatz 2 mix on mixcloud and it would appear Mr Aloe has completely passed under my radar. Formerly an mc/lyricist he decided to channel his vocal talents into an album chock full of classic sounding Soul and Funk cuts and its bloody incredible. This being the track he’s probably best known for and for good reason, its a blissful experience in really soulful sounding production. Very slick, tight lyrics, an absolute masterpiece in my opinion. Loved it!

Bassomatic – Fascinating Rhythm (Lisa Loud Mix) [1990] September 14, 2011

Probably one of the very best tracks released in 1990 and one of the very best examples of why electronic music became so huge. Since, this track isnt a house tune, nor is it a hardcore track. Its not techno, its not ragga, reggae or any other classification. Its all of them and none of them all at the same time. I also had no idea that Mr William Orbit was actually part of the Bassomatic crew, not that im surprised. Now I hear this track again and you can see his signature style all over it. Catchy hooks, rolling basslines, irreverent breaks in composition to keep the melody interesting but most of all, flawless production. The bass is pushed to the very limit of its range, so its loud without distorting, absolutely crucial to this track as the bassline is what dominates the entire track. I could gush about Fascinating Rhythm for hours, its without a doubt one of my favourite tracks of all time.

Grace Jones – Pull Up To The Bumper [1981] August 17, 2011

One of bigger disco tinged tracks from Jones’ seminal album, Nightclubbing. Its one of those tracks you know the chorus too, without ever owning the song. Its one of those tracks that will have your foot tapping, even if your not a fan of Grace Jones. Pure quality bassline licks, lots of groove, absolutely crackin’!

2 For Joy – Let The Bass Kick (Heron Mix) [1991] August 15, 2011

Yep, its the same name, its even the same title of the track but this couldnt be any more different to the Original Mix posted prior to this. Going for a more laid back, breaky funk/groove sound in no small part directly due to the bassline from “Memphis Soul Stew” and samples from “Whats Goin’ On?” by Marvin Gaye. One of my favourite tracks as a kid, I used to love sliding and grooving around the ole bedroom to this banger. A shame this never got more airplay!

Ann Peebles – Somebodys On Your Case [1972] August 10, 2011

Absolutely faultless vocalist, Ann Peebles released tons of quality soul/funk tracks throughout the 70′s to huge critical acclaim. This is just one of those classics, funky as hell, conscious lyrics, buttery vocals. Perfection!