Premiere: Janet Kay ‘Eternally Grateful (Unreleased Dub Mix)’

Back in 2010, UK disco, house and funk luminary Joey Negro AKA Dave Lee compiled a thoroughly educational – and massively danceable – retrospective album celebrating the artists and songs at the core of Brit funk.

A collection of rare, previously unreleased and highly sought after tracks from the halcyon days of underground British funk, reggae disco and soul, ‘Backstreet Brit Funk Vol.1’ was a real triumph that we’re still relishing in today.

Now, eight years in the making, Joey Negro has compiled volume two. A celebration of the pivotal genre that was not only musically game-changing but also significant in breaking down racial boundaries in the UK, ‘Backstreet Brit Funk Vol.2’ is a collection of 24 rare cuts that are due their time in the contemporary spotlight. Tracks come from the likes of Savanna, Rare Moods, Eastbound Expressway and Veira Krew to name but a few.

One standout cut is a previously unreleased dub mix of singer/songwriter/Queen of lovers rock Janet Kay’s classic ‘Eternally Grateful’, which you can hear below. A sprawling nine-minute mix with hints of disco, funk and sprinklings of house, it’s a joyous version which brings new life to the already stunning original.

Speaking of the compilation, fellow encyclopedic collector Gilles Peterson said, “I thought I had it all when it came to Brit Funk and beyond but then again I hadn't been round Joey Negro's had I. A crucial selection from a world that inspired a whole generation of DJs and bands.”

“I hadn’t planned a Volume 2 of BSBF when putting together the first, but after a while, I started to wonder if there was potential for a follow-up,” said Joey Negro. “Over the past 8 years I’ve kept my ears peeled for interesting UK productions that for some reason hadn’t come to my attention before.”

‘Backstreet Brit Funk Vol.2’ is out 22nd June on Z Records. Pre-order it here.