Bobby Williams – Funky Super Fly (Black Vinyl)
Mr Bongo reissues Bobby Williams’ coveted 1974 album Funky Super Fly, a raw and deeply grooving set that has long held cult status among funk collectors, DJs and sample hunters. With its fiery horn sections, strutting guitar lines, infectious bass and heavy breakbeats, the album captures the physical energy of classic deep funk while preserving the distinct personality of Williams as vocalist and bandleader.
The influence of James Brown can be heard in the clipped rhythms, commanding vocals and tightly arranged band, but the music never feels like imitation. Bobby Williams brings his own sense of swing, urgency and showmanship, leading a group that sounds alive in the room. The production keeps the performances direct and unprocessed, giving the record the analogue warmth and natural punch that have made original copies so desirable.
Several tracks have become favourites in funk circles. “Funky Superfly,” “Soul Brother Party” and “Let’s Jam” are dance-floor-ready highlights, each driven by sharp rhythm guitar, forceful drums and horn lines designed for maximum impact. On the album, “Funky Superfly” and “Soul Brother Party” appear as continuous performances rather than the split Part 1 and Part 2 arrangements used on their 7-inch releases, allowing the grooves to unfold without interruption.
The set also reaches beyond uptempo funk. “Morning Of Love” slows the pace for a soul ballad filled with tension and heartache, showing a more vulnerable side of Williams’ delivery. Closing instrumental “Fair Trade” brings wah-wah guitar and a cinematic Blaxploitation feel, standing as a particularly strong deeper cut among the album’s better-known break-heavy tracks.
The record’s influence extends well beyond its original release. Material from Funky Super Fly has been sampled by artists including DJ Shadow and Coldcut, helping introduce its drums and grooves to later generations of hip-hop and electronic listeners. That history, together with the scarcity of earlier pressings, has made it a prized title for collectors.
This Mr Bongo vinyl edition makes an important deep-funk rarity available again in a high-quality format. For fans of raw 1970s funk, soul, breakbeats and foundational sample sources, Funky Super Fly is a powerful, front-to-back listen with style, substance and lasting dance-floor appeal.
