After hearing that compilation specialists - ‘Strut Records’ was to be re-launched a few months ago (Kicking off with the fantastic ‘Disco-Not-Disco’ CD release.) we waited in anticipation to see what we would be treated to next.

Over the years Strut have released some fantastic compilation albums both on vinyl and CD, unearthing rare, forgotten dance music that covered all bases from Disco, Funk, Afrobeat, Hip Hop and Music Library’s dusty vaults.

Originally set up in 1999 with a manifesto to document important point’s in dance music’s history, Strut’s releases not only featured hard to find, lost gems but each compilation also included detailed and descriptive linear notes giving informative historical reference, backed up with first hand accounts from the musicians and characters who made up the scenes both in the studio and out on the dancefloors.

Now affiliated with !K7 Strut has been resuscitated and we were delighted to see that none of the attention to detail associated with a Strut release had been forgotten.

We are happy to report that the latest release - Funky Nassau - The Compass Point Story 1980-1986 is as good a compilation as we’ve heard in years. This album documents the story of Compass Point studios where the dots between soul, reggae, punk, disco and rock were fused to create a distinctive sound that came to define an era and ultimetly become the essence of Island Records.

Set up in the 1980’s by Chris Blackwell, Compass studios was based in The Bahamas and became a focal point for artists as diverse as Talking Heads, The Rolling Stones, Ian Dury, AC-DC, John Martyn, Gwen Guthrie and The B-52’s to name but only a few. Upon hearing a ‘Compass’ production you’d probably recognise tracks from Grace Jones and Tom Tom Club where dub sensibilities, quirky lyrical content and lo-end funk were extended into what are now considered to be 12″ club classics.

Here’s our breakdown of the album, dissected track, by track:

Grace Jones - My Jamaican Guy (12″ Version)

During the recording of this track, huge posters of Grace were plastered inside the studio forcing the band to capture her image and relate her attitude in the music. Prior to arriving on the island Jones wanted the band to rehearse so they had the sound nailed down in advance but this wasn’t how ‘All Stars’ worked. Capturing a laid back spontaneity you can almost feel how relaxed these sessions must have been. Changing the course of disco the dubwise grooves (Captured as the band played live) were created by having all 4 musicians overdubbing at the same time.

Tom Tom Club - Genius Of Love

Husband and wife team Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth originally decamped to Nassau to work with Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry but after he never turned up as planned the pair started work with Steven Stanley at Compass’ Studio B instead. Invited to become part of the artists community, after 3 days of working with Stanley they started 3 tracks - ‘Wordy Rappinghood’, ‘Genius of Love’ and ‘Lorelei’. Not bad for a non musician who plays keyboards upside down, an inverted bassline and sisters who weren’t trained in harmony!

Talking Heads - Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)

Hailed by many as their best album ‘Remain In Light’ started life at Compass in 1980. Due to disagreements during the ‘My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts’ recording, Eno and Byrne were giving each other the cold sholder and these sessions were chaotic as a result. The album was eventually finished off at Sigma Sound studios in New York. Supposively taken from a New York tabloid ‘The Heat Goes On’ is the album’s opening track and captures Talking Heads at their driving best with the trademark tense lyrical content and jerky guitars.

Lizzy Mercier Descloux - Lady O K’pele

Boyfriend of ZE Records owner Michel Esteban (Island distributed ZE’s releases) Lizzy Mercier Descloux was was on the first artists to fuse disco with punk. At Compass to record her second solo album ‘Mambo Nassau’ Wally Badarou picked up on her debut as it featured African styles which can be clearly heard in ‘Lady O K’pele’. Inspired by world music on France’s ‘Ocora’ label, Descloux’s instrumental setup was certainly western rock orientated on this release and was even more experimental than her first album ‘Press Colour’.

Set The Tone - Dance Sucker (Francois Kevorkian Mix)

This trio of Scottish based post-funkers Set The Tone’s ‘Dance Sucker’ was a dance hit in both the UK and U.S and was shaped by Francois K who traveled to Compass to mix the extended version of the track in addition to the unconventional ‘Obsession’. The bands apparent abuse of substances was to have a tiresome effect on Steven Stanley however there is no denying this bass heavy number is nothing but a killer.

Guy Cuevas - Obsession (Nassau Mix)

Baggy paid £70+ for this record after being introduced to it upon hearing a Phil Mison DJH mix some years back. We’ve never seen it on any compilation before and this a genuine rarity and beautiful example of ‘Hispanic-Boogie’ Is that a genre??? Guy Cuevas was a Cuban born DJ at Parisian night-club ‘The Palace’ and Steven Stanley and Francois K combined to create the sublime ‘Nassau’ mix. First aired on French radio by D’bora and Bobby M via the ‘Canel 89′ funk station. This track was released in France only. Thank you so much Mr. Mison!

Gwen Guthrie - Padlock (Larry Levan Mix)

Guthrie was invited to Nassau after Robbie heard her voice whilst listening to the individual backing tracks on Peter Tosh’s ‘Bush Doctor’ album where Gwen’s vocals made a lasting impression on the Jamaican, so much so that Chris Blackwell signed her to Island. ‘Padlock’ was one of many standout tracks from the ‘Portrait’ album (Which also features ‘Peanut Butter’, ‘Seventh Heaven’ & ‘Hopscotch’!!!) later treated to the ‘Levan’ effect (Possibly the perfect remixer for the job) who’s love of dub was no secret and his legendary Guthrie remixes were also released as a mini-LP.

Bits and Pieces - Don’t Stop The Music

Originally a ‘Yarborough and Peoples’ track Sly and Robbie’s cover came out as a ‘Bits and Pieces’ release, apparently just them ‘fooling around’ and was to go on and do very well in America.

Sly Dunbar - River Niger

River Niger is a distinctly ‘Sly’ take on an original track created by the amazing ‘War’ (Which can be found on their Platinum Funk album) and was the title track to an intimate 1970’s film that depicted life in the ghetto. Sly’s version can also be heard on the ‘Sly-Go-Ville’ album.

Cristina - You Rented A Space

Real name Cristina Monet (Also a member of Kid Creole and The Coconuts) arrived at Compass Point to record her album with the original intention that Robert Palmer was to produce the work. Palmer was quite often found in the area due to having a property located just across the road from the studio, however it’s still unclear as to why this project was canned but the demo version of ‘You Rented A Space’ did feature production and instrumentation by Palmer giving some insight to what might have been if the album was allowed to be completed back in 1981.

Ian Dury and The Seven Seas Players - Spasticus Autisticus (Version)

Dury was in Nassau with long time coconspirator - Chaz Jankel, to record the ‘Lord Upminster’ album and their post-punk-funk take on Kirk Douglas’ ‘Spartacus’ was originally banned in the UK due to it’s controversial lyrical content towards the disabled. ‘Spasticus’ was a hit on the American billboard as well as a smash in the clubs due to Sly and Robbie’s bass work. This is none more apparent than on the flipside dub ‘Version’. The fact the recordings ran alongside the Tom Tom Club’s sessions resulted in other such connections as Chaz Jankel’s sister was to go on and direct the ‘Genius Of Love’ video.

Chaz Jankel Feat. Laura Weymouth - Whisper

Another ‘Love In’ between these two parties was Jankel and Weymouth themselves who became romantically involved. Also check out Chaz’s AMAZING ‘Chazablanca’ solo LP (A big favourite of Baggy and Niles) which was written during this period and also recorded at Compass Point. Their duet on ‘Whisper’ is a sentimental piece where Weymouth came up with the lyric ‘When there’s shouting all around, it takes a whisper to be heard’ which the rest of the track was built on.

Will Powers - Adventures In Success (Dub Copy)

Photographer Lynn Goldsmith aka Will Powers released this record in 1982. With rhythms created by Island legend; Robert Palmer (Taken from a James Brown track), Palmer utilised the spoken word as an instrument that could be used along side positive thinking, subconscious lyrics to create something totally unique at the time. After returning to London Lynn asked Sting to work on the track where he plays all the instruments apart from Linn drum machine which Goldsmith was responsible for. The ‘Adventures In Success’ video was also the first to use 3-D animation. Still sounds unique and outstanding today.

Worth picking up for Guy Cuevas alone Strut have put together a fantastic selection of tracks, combining dance floor classics with stunning obscurities. All full length versions, this CD only release (Limited runs of 2xLP unmixed vinyl would be great guys! ) is perfect for the working DJ or listeners wishing to hear the tracks as they were meant to be heard - in all their stretched out glory.

As expected from a Strut release the 22 page booklet has lots of detailed information (Excellently written by David Katz) backed up with some great photos making Funky Nassau: The Compass Point Story a must have release for all music aficionado’s.

Available from all good record stores (Support your local independents!) pick up this fantastic compilation now.

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