I Stayed Away Too Long

It's amazing how good some ten dollar records are. For instance, Malcolm Holcolm's "I Stayed Away Too Long" is - start to finish - a fantastic funk mover. First off, there's the guitar lines that seem idiosyncratic to this tune. They are just spot on, rightfully up in the mix. Then there's the tight groove the bass and drums are keeping. Finally, there's the amazingly soulful vocals, sometimes tough, sometimes reflective. The lyrics are a Vietnam soldier's story - he has returned and has found that his woman has not remained faithful.

The other sides, "Kick-Out", is an instrumental version of this tune, and is great as well. But the vocal version is really where it's at. Have a listen here.