Various Artists — Loch Ness Monster & Funky Chicken

Here we have a double CD set of compilations from the 70s focusing on the wackier, novelty focused and funky side of the reggae genre. Each disc features twenty-eight tracks a piece so you get a lot of bang for your buck- as well as a great selection of tracks too.

The release appears on Doctor Bird, which is Cherry Red’s sub-label for all things retro reggae- with both classy album reissues and compilations in their back catalogue. The two-CD set comes presented in a clear jewel case- this features a colourful sixteen-page inlay booklet, which takes in a six-page write-up about the compilations, and some of the key talent on display. Also, we get a good selection of vinyl label pictures, artists' pictures, and credits.

Both compilations original appeared on the legendary Trojan Records, and both have been added to/ expanded for this reissue. On disc one we find Loch Ness Monster- this appeared in November of 1970, featuring just twelve tracks- here we get added on another bonus sixteen tracks from the period. And the focus/ theme here is horror characters, cryptids, films, and general wacky theming. We kick off with the title track, which is by London’s King Horror- it's an easy jiving number full of nice trumpet work, stuttering groove, and semi-spoken word/ screams/ bays from the Mr Horror. Moving on we have the sexual moan, groan and bang of “Self Control” by The Upsetters- which features tight organ runs and snaping ’n’ twisting percussion. We have jiving ‘n’ shaking groove of Girlie and Jomo’s “African meeting” which features a conversation between an African woman and man- he says he knows her, she says she doesn’t, it's overset bass and organ groove. There is the zing and spiralling organ layers and chugging flow of “Wolfman” from The Upsetters. We have the reverbed and echoed vocal theatrics and twanging groove of Lord Charmer’s “Vengeance”. There’s the bobbing slack bass, cut ‘n’ crashing percussive detail, and vocal scatting of “Madhouse” by Lee Perry & The Upsetters. Of the two comps/ disc here, are say this is consistent- be great from beginning to end.
 
On disc two we have Funky Chicken, and once again this was from the year 1970. The original release once again featured twelve tracks, with this new edition adding on another sixteen tracks from the period. The focus is more funk focused/ wacky themed reggae tunes. We open with the title track which is by Winston Groovy, it features a circling organ tone, bounding beats ‘n’ bass, and some more African focused James brown likes shouts. We have the oomph-drinking song grooving clarinet meets clip-clop ‘n’ wow-wow march of “Open Jaw” by Tommy McCook & The Supersonics. There’s the booming bass, funky strutting guitar, and bombastic drum fills of “Popcorn” by The Upsetters. We have jiving acid organ and psych guitar bay of “Psychedelic Reggae” by Tommy McCook & The Supersonics. There’s the lose rubber band like bass throb, snapping beats, and grooving organ lines of “Sin, Sun & Sex” by Pama Dice. Or the clip-clop organ keys and galloping beats of “Look A Pye Pye” by Lloyd Charmers. This disc is fairly good ‘n’ flowing, through in places we do get a similar type of tracks- but I guess that’s down to the more funk focused tilt of the disc.

In conclusion, this really is a great double-headed reggae release, focusing on the quirkier themed and funk focused side of the 1970’s reggae- another most worthy addition to Doctor Bird's discography- and a must release for those who enjoy the quirky ‘n’ playful side of the genre.