Con Funk Shun - Secrets

Con Funk Shun - Secrets (Mercury 1977)
Some of the greatest soul ballads and quiet storm gems often come from unexpected sources. Many soul purists may have missed many a fine stepper by overlooking albums from some of the 70's and 80's finest funk bands. Some of the greatest street soul songs appear on albums such as this one by Con Funk Shun. Secrets, their second album on Mercury, is a balance of funk and soul with jazzy touches and slick production which help to make this album a fresh softer affair than some of their other output. The big single from the album was the aptly-titled "Ffun" but the hidden secrets (excuse the pun) on the album are the magnificent mid-tempo groover "Who Has The Time", the beautiful stepper "I'll Set You Out OK" and the cosmic instrumental "Indian Summer Love" (which is more than slightly reminiscent of Kool and the Gang's wonderful "Summer Madness").