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ReleaseProduct
Funky Nassau
Artist
The Beginning Of The End
Label
Strut
Catalogue Number
STRUT184
Release Date
December 6, 2017

Strut presents the definitive reissues of two all-time classic Caribbean soul and funk albums, The Beginning Of The End’s ‘Funky Nassau’ (1971) and ‘Beginning Of The End’ (1976).

Emerging from Nassau in the Bahamas in 1971, the band was formed around the Munnings brothers (Ray, Leroy and Frank) and the first song they recorded, ‘Funky Nassau’, became a No. 1 Billboard R’n’B hit, selling over a million copies. “We wanted to create something new,” remembers Ray Munnings, “something that was truly Bahamian. We loved funk but wanted to include elements of junkanoo, the indigenous music of The Bahamas.” An album was written within a week and recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami. “We brought in more Bahamian themes, like ‘Monkey Tamarind’, a wild fruit that grows there.”

By the time of their second album in 1976, the band was managed by Don Taylor, also Bob Marley ’s manager. “Don took us to Byron Lee’s studio in Jamaica and used Teddy Randazzo (Little Anthony & The Imperials) to direct the sessions,” recalls Munnings. “He gave us more of an uptempo jazz funk sound with Chicago-style horns.” The album led to a run of incredible bad luck. Booked to support Marvin Gaye’s ’What’s Goin’ On’ tour, the US Musicians Union stepped in and ordered a US group to fill the slot. They were then added onto a major Bob Marley tour in 1976 before he injured his foot, cancelling all dates.

These definitive official reissues of ‘Funky Nassau’ and ‘Beginning Of The End’ are remastered by The Carvery from original tapes and feature full length tracks from the studio sessions. Both albums feature a history of the albums and the band by vocalist Ray Munnings, alongside rare photos. ‘Beginning Of The End’ appears on loudpress 2LP for the first time. The CD edition features both albums + all extra singles recorded by the band.

Digital Tracklist

  1. 1 Funky Nassau - , Part 1 3:06 Buy

    Funky Nassau - , Part 1

  2. 2 Funky Nassau - , Part 2 2:34 Buy

    Funky Nassau - , Part 2

  3. 3 Come Down 3:15 Buy

    Come Down

  4. 4 Sleep On Dream On 4:04 Buy

    Sleep On Dream On

  5. 5 Surrey Ride 4:33 Buy

    Surrey Ride

  6. 6 Monkey Tamarind 3:40 Buy

    Monkey Tamarind

  7. 7 In The Deep 4:53 Buy

    In The Deep

  8. 8 Pretty Girl 4:59 Buy

    Pretty Girl

  9. 9 When She Made Me Promise 4:17 Buy

    When She Made Me Promise

Track List: LP

A1 Funky Nassau (Part 1)
A2 Funky Nassau (Part 2)
A3 Come Down
A4 Sleep On Dream On
A5 Surrey Ride

B1 Monkey Tamarind
B2 In The Deep
B3 Pretty Girl
B4 When She Made Me Promise

The Beginning Of The End

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