Search - Meters :: Meters Jam

The Meters' Odds & Sods

J P Ryan | Waltham, Massachusetts United States | 06/20/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"There is no question The Meters are a quintessential funk band, to say the least. Back in the early 1990s Rounder issued two rather brief (under 40 minutes each) collections of rarities, and I was one grateful fan, as all that was available at the time was compilations. In recent years, however, Sundazed has reissued the entire Meters catalog, covering both the Josie (1968 - 71) and Warner Bros. (1972 - 77) years, as well as two excellent raritities collections of their own, "Zony Mash" (for the Josie outtakes and non-lp singles) and "Kickback" (covering the Warner Bros. period), all in much improved sound and with superior annotation. "Jam" like its companion CD "Good Old Funk Music" is now only for completists, as the notes are vague or inaccurate concerning dates and background info, and most of the best material is now available on those Sundazed remasters. As for the rest, "Jam" like "Funky Music" has tracks ("Bo Diddley," and "People Get Ready" for example) that were in fact Art Neville singles recorded in late 1967, with the Meters as backup band (a role they played to perfection on many Allen Toussaint productions of the period) and the best of these are now available elsewhere("Bo" appears in a longer version on the Sundazed 2-CD collection of Toussaint-produced New Orleans r & b gems from the '65 - '67 period that originally appeared on the Sansu/Amy labels called "Get Down Low", and is recommended; others appear on that label's excellent "Looking For My Baby!" comp and Fuel 2000's recent Art and Aaron Neville set). "Stretch Your Rubber Band" and "Groovy Lady" can be heard on "Zony Mash" in superior original single mixes. The best of the rest is on "Kickback." As for completests, "People Get Ready" does not appear to have been reissued, and features marvelous Leo Nocentelli guitar work, and the title track has likewise not been reissued. "Jam" is a six-and-a-half minute jazzy workout that is effective for about a third of its running time. I'm glad I still have them, but neither is essential. My point is: get the Sundazed remasters first. The availability of the group's catalog is truly something to celebrate. If you want every last outtake, then pick up the Rounder sets up at a bargain price. Each has a couple not available elsewhere."