- Following compilations of archival rock music (focussing on psychedelia and blues) Festival have prepared a new disc entitled Back On The Street Again - Australian Funk, Soul & Psych (Mostly) From The Festival Vaults. True to its namesake it contains an expertly curated selection of groove-tinge rock, soul-jazz and jazz-funk from the late ‘60s and ‘70s.

As always these blanket categorizations wear thin after a while. Many of the tracks toe the line between the aforementioned styles. They were recorded in a time when these genres moved fluidly, when musicians were well versed in jazz, blues and rock. For instance, there are some truly bluesy, hard rockin’ tracks brought to us by Blackfeather and Kahvas Jute. Progressive stylings are represented too, through bands Taman Shud and McPhee.

One of the better-known names on the compilation is Renée Geyer, whose track Be There In The Morning is a sultry groover. Her name on the marquis is well deserved, being one of the few soul / jazz vocalists who made a mark on the Australian charts back in the heyday of the sounds. Up there with her in my books is Billy Thorpe, who also features on the string-laden, titular track Back On The Street Again.

There’s some obscure gems thrown in for good measure. Of particular note is the bombastic synth-funk of Weird And Wonderful by Brute Force And His Drum. I’m totally obsessed with that song, it’s unlike anything I’ve heard from Australia or anywhere else, for that matter. Another notable mention is one of the best disco tracks recorded in Australia, Voodoo Lady by Dalvanius And The Fascinations. Just gloss over the fact that’s he’s from New Zealand.

Throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s Australia produced some exceptional funk music that didn’t receive the critical reception it deserved. Although we’re known largely for our guitar-centric rock music (both now and then), there are those who broke the mould and did things differently. In an age when acts like Hiatus Kaiyote and Jordan Rakei are wooing audiences overseas, while receiving little attention on their own shores, this compilation of Australia’s funky origins is a reminder that's very timely indeed.

- Hill Folk.