Desert island discs

By Jason Heller

I call these "Songs for the Stranded Funkster (mostly)":

* Funkadelic, Maggot Brain: Starting with a soaring guitar solo from Eddie Hazel that must have made Jimi (wherever he is) smile, George Clinton's crew digs deep down into the nasty realm where funk and rock intersect. This stuff hits you in a place you didn't even know you had. The real
thang. (1971)

* John Coltrane, A Love Supreme: So what if it's a bit overdone? This is what it sounds like to hurt without words. The resolution of the song cycle is slightly beyond the stratosphere. Proof that the saxophone can not only talk--it can sing. (1964)

* Prince, Dirty Mind: 'Cause I've got
one. (1980)

* James Brown, Star Time: Yeah, yeah, I know box sets don't count. But this one's the one you've gotta own if you've gotta own one, so I'll make the eception. Hey, if it weren't for JB, half the music around today wouldn't be around today. We'd all be listening to Mel Torme's greatest hits. But this stuff's so funky it should be against the law. With JB in and out of jail nowadays, maybe it is. (1991)

* Marvin Gaye, What's Going On and Let's Get It On: From urban strife to the bump'n' grind, Marvin moves the spirit. (1971 & 1973)

* Tricky, Maxinquaye: Even if you hate trip-hop, Tricky is the epitome of ultracool, and this recent album is a masterpiece of slow groove. (1995)

* Björk, Post: Can't decide what's sexier, Björk or her voice. "Hyperballad" is a swirlingly-paced melodic adventure. (1995)

* Elvis Costello, Get Happy!!: Angry young British man plays soul music. Film at 11. (1980)

* Los Lobos, Kiko: Yeah, and you thought the only thing they did was "La Bamba." (1991)

* The Beatles, A Hard Day's Night: When they were young and vibrant. Before John and Paul hated each other. "If I Fell" is gorgeous. (1964)

* Albert Collins, Truckin' with Albert Collins: My instrumental blues entry goes to The Iceman, the funkiest bluesman in town. Ain't no cure, ain't no words for those desert island blues. R.I.P., Albert. (1969)

* Toots and the Maytals, Funky Kingston: Who's Bob Marley anyway? This is how Otis Redding would sound over that kinky beat. (1973) Speaking of whom...

* Otis Redding, Dictionary of Soul: Contains "Try a Little Tenderness," one of the greatest songs ever committed to tape. Better than "Stairway to Heaven." Then again, what isn't? Great album cover, to boot. (1966)

* Puff Daddy and the Family, No Way Out: The title says it all. Hey, if I'm on a desert island, I want to feel like I'm on a desert island, right? Even though Puff really sucks, so does being stranded on an island. (1997)

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