Do The Time Warp

It's a little known fact but Janet Jackson's "What Have You Done For Me Lately?" was originally recorded in 1971 by an obscure funk band called Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings and released on the tiny Daptone label out of Atlanta. Original copies of this 45 have been fetching astronomical sums in rare funk collectors circles and... OK I'm lying but I'm sure most of you knew that already. This track is actually a cover version of Ms. Jackson's hit that was recorded only two years ago, but if you didn't know better (I usually don't) you'd swear that this was some James Brown-produced number by Lynn Collins or Marva Whitney from the early 70s. It has the same primitive production and scratchy funk guitar with a driving beat that hits you in the nuts like a pair of size 10 funk boots. Normally I'm not all that keen on revival bands (after having to suffer The Blues Brothers playing on pub jukeboxes far too often in the past) but Sharon Jones certainly has the tonsils of an old-time funky diva and The Dap-Kings do know what a slamming rhythm is all about (not bad for a bunch of mostly nerdy-looking white guys). So who cares about copycatism when the result is as good as this? It's not the JBs but it's damn near good enough and it blows the legwarmers off the original. They put on a hell of live show and their album Dap-Dipping With Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings (you can hear the whole thing at that link) is an absolute stonkin' treat. So get on up and get on down with your bad self and stuff like that.

[Download]
What Have You Done For Me Lately? - Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings