VA - Loose & Juicy: A Collection Of Funky Rare Grooves From The Vaults Of Vanguard (1997)

Review by Ryan Randall Goble
Loose and Juicy is a treasure chest of rare grooves for jazz, hip-hop, and funk enthusiasts. Cammille Yarbrough's track "Take Your Praise," was the source of Norman Cook's (Fatboy Slim) hit single "Praise You." Captured here on CD, Yarbrough captivates the listener with her poetic vocals and raw funk. Bunky Green's sizzling sax work on "Funk Ain't a Word" is one of many surprises from the Vanguard vaults that make the album worth buying. Jean Jacques Perry's spaced-out funk anthem "E.V.A." is sampled all over the contemporary rap world, including on Ice-T's "The Lane," House of Pain's "Fed Up (remix)," and Gang Starr's "Just to Get a Rep." In addition, Norman Cook fleshes out "E.V.A."'s drum and bass on an inspired big-beat remix to close the album.