In Stones Throw‘s bio of 30-year James Brown drummer Tony Cook, it is said that Cook’s 1984 single “On the Floor” was originally a rap record. Cook says, “…we didn’t know what to call it, but it definitely wasn’t a rap record. When we released it in 1984 the phrase ‘garage’ came out, then ‘house’ came out, and someone called it ‘The Granddaddy of all House Records,’ so we knew we had something different and new.” As rhythm engine of James Brown’s funk machine, Cook’s interest in disco may have been sacrilege in Brown’s eyes, but Cook’s funk blood still courses through his own music. These and other intersections are just some of the context for Stones Throw’s release of rare and unreleased tracks from Tony Cook’s 1982-1986 period. Back to Reality is available now as a double-LP release, with a worldwide digital/CD/vinyl release coming on January 25. Check out the record’s artwork below, and preview a track that’s been updated by 21st century funkadelic all-star Dam-Funk from Stones Throw’s Soundcloud before you go download it for free from their website.

Tony Cook – What’s On Your Mind feat. Dam-Funk by stonesthrow