Cold Heat: Heavy Funk Rarities 1968-1974

Egon’s curatorial enthusiasm on Stones Throw rare groove release The Funky 16 Corners turned out to be just the tip of the iceberg. Once Now-Again became his reissue domain, the label provided a still-running catalogue of obscure soul and funk unearthings that values top-notch musicality above all other collector-driven metrics. The catch is that there isn’t actually a Cold Heat Vol. 2 (yet) — maybe it’d be too hard to top? — but this cross-country collection still stands as a catalyst for Now-Again’s more region-bound future excursions into nearly-forgotten bands and far-flung scenes, with this collection’s gems ranging from high school band phenoms to why-weren’t-they-huge local heroes.