The Beginning Of The End: Funky Nassau Vinyl LP The Beginning Of The End

There have been a number of questionable bootlegs of this LP over the past 5 years or so, but this great-sounding reissue comes courtesy of Strut and is 100% legit. We’ve had more comps and edit 12”s containing various versions of the title track than I can keep track of, but if you’re like me and you just want a straight-up full reissue of the full album with original reprinted artwork, Zee Germans got you covered. Comes with 2-sided printed insert with full album credits and extended liner notes detailing the album’s creation. Here’s PH’s review from the old Lab site: “As the title would have it, this 1971 funk staple comes from the unlikely source of Nassau, Bahamas. The centerpiece title track has everything a man could want in a danceable funk groove: uncompromising musicianship, great chorus and of course – big drums. It’s split into two parts; part one is the vocal version with a break a quarter of the way in, part two is instrumental and starts off with the break. ‘When She Made Me A Promise’ is the other track of fame, sampled by Pete Rock for that little interlude right before ’T.R.O.Y.’ The entire song kicks with an above-the-clouds, bottomless sound. The album as a whole is very listenable, with a good mix soulful of tracks among the aforementioned classics. Recently, I’ve been diggin’ the slower numbers ‘Sleep On Dream On’ and ‘Pretty Girl’.” Their killer self-titled album was also just given a lush reissue (and if you’re looking for full extendo mix of “Funky Nassau” parts 1 + 2 back to back, peep the “Fishman” 12-inch).

• official reissue
• full-color printed insert
• music label: Strut 2018

reviewed by big dumb man 06/2018