Bobby Williams

This record bills Bobby Williams as a "James Brown clone", and it comes to something when the label itself is making such suggestions. There's little denying it though: from the opening strains of title track 'Funky Superfly (pts. I & II)' there's little doubting just how strong the influence of the great man was on Williams, but hey, props to the bass player, who's on tremendous form throughout. Actually, props to Bobby too, who at least knew his lot in life, and it's not like he does himself a disservice on this fine set of recordings: the performances couldn't be any more fully committed and boisterously delivered, and much credit is due for that. if there are any question marks hanging over this release it's entirely concerning the sound quality of this transfer, whose source has clearly been ravaged by the passage of time. Nevertheless, this is a fine collection of songs from one of '70s funk's more notable also-rans.