I think I first heard this track as part of the absolutely stellar Rhino Records six-disc compilation “In Yo’ Face! The History Of Funk”, which was an education and a half to this pasty-faced white boy from Greensborough. Graham Central Station, the chief “solo” vehicle for legendary Sly bassist Larry Graham, made a couple of appearances on that set – “Water” comes to mind – but few tracks are as out-and-out bursting with high-energy, surging funk as this highlight from 1975’s “Ain’t No ‘Bout-A-Doubt-It”.
It’s not just that Graham’s own impossibly active and fluid bassline keeps popping and bubbling just short of a boil for eight minutes. Robert “Butch” Sam takes a terrific organ break. Manuel Kellough keeps proceedings driving along. There’s not much by way of song structure – it is just a jam at heart – but when the groove is this propulsive, any more elaborate structure would seem like imposition.
Note: The Rhino compilation version is the single version and comes in at a very tidy 3:36. The original is over eight minutes long and, as well as featuring some uncomfortable racism, probably overstays its welcome. Your mileage may vary.