What's In My Collection #3

What’s In My Collection: The Funk Edition

In the latest installment of What’s In My Collection, Greg digs into one of his favorite corners of his personal archive: funk, soul, groove-driven recordings, and beyond. This episode isn’t just about great music; it’s about recordings that come alive on a properly set-up system.

Many classic funk and soul records were engineered exceptionally well, and when you hear them on high-resolution analog formats, the results can be breathtaking. Deep, driving bass lines. Percussion that snaps into focus. Wide, layered soundstages with space between instruments. These are the kinds of recordings that not only sound impressive, but make listening physical…you feel them as much as you hear them.

Throughout the episode, Greg shares selections he frequently relies on for system demonstrations, touching on why certain pressings and formats stand apart. From vinyl cut from original analog tapes, to reel-to-reel recordings with uncanny realism, to audiophile-grade digital releases that avoid the harshness of many modern remasters, this collection highlights what’s possible when music and engineering align.

There’s also an important through-line here: engagement. These aren’t “sit perfectly still and analyze” records. They’re let-it-play albums: music that fills the room, pulls you in, and keeps your foot tapping while revealing just how capable your system really is.

Whether you’re a longtime funk fan, a collector chasing definitive pressings, or simply looking for demo material that showcases soundstage, dynamics, and tonal balance, this episode offers plenty of inspiration…and maybe a little justification for tracking down that record you’ve been eyeing online.

Watch the full episode below, and as always, thanks for listening to the music.