VA - Blue Juice (1996)

Blue Juice, this vol 1, is a classic. We have tracks like "Mississippi Delta" (Bobby Gentry) from the south, and from even further south, Elza Soares stunning "Mas Que Nada"; good 60s dance jams "Sookie Sookie" (Tina Britt), or "Grits & Gravy" (The Fame Gang); trippy funk numbers like Dick Hyman's "Give It Up Or Turn It Loose" or Ananda Shankar's "Dancing Drums" and a whole lot of other weird tracks make this set a long lasting favorite for those who like to dip into late 60s/ early 70s 'rare groove' ambience. It's a pretty raw and funky affair overall. Occassionally hokey as well with stuff like "Streets of Calcutta" or "Look Into the Flower", but hey this really is a late 60s affair so what do you expect? The music still stands out as memorable and well worth exploring. Hands down favorite tracks go to the two Nancy Wilson 'story-ballads' "Willie & Laura Mae Jones" as runner-up.. the prize going to "Ode To Billie Joe" which still sends chills up my spine every time I hear it. This CD spent a lot of time in my player in the 90s. There are a lot of good tracks here, some better than others. But for the gems you'll discover, it's well worth owning.