Anthology: 1992-2003 provides an almost-chronological overview of the Poets of Rhythm, Germany's premier funk revivalists. It draws from the band's early singles, compilation contributions, and two albums from the period (Discern/Define and What Goes 'Round). Additionally, several inclusions were issued under the aliases Bus People Express, Soul-Saints Orchestra, Whitefield Brothers, Pan-Atlantics, and (honest) Bo Baral's Excursionists of Perception. Some funk fans balked at the mere concept of an all-dressed-up German band making like the Meters and James Brown, among other R&B pioneers. Indeed, it's strange to hear Bo Baral rhapsodically testify, "Man, I'm drivin' a bus.I look out this countryside.it can only be South Carolina" and punctuate it with "Ungh -- good god, help me out." But these musicians were all the way into it and had the ability to back it up. ~ Andy Kellman
