Area Code 615 were a group of ace country session musicians who put out a couple of LPs in the early 70s.  Their sound stretched the boundaries of country incorporating funk, rock, bluegrass, etc.  They are most notable on Soul Strut for their funky floor killer "Stone Fox Chase" (known also as the theme to the British music showcase "Old Grey Whistle Test" and a Ultimate Breaks and Beats staple). The song begins with powerful harmonica riffage by legend Charlie McCoy and unleashes into a tribal b-boy groove that reminds me something Klaus Weiss from Niagara would architect. The rest of the album does not disappoint with some strong banjo grooves on auto-wah ("John Henry") and an Allman Brothers like country blues jam "Gray Suit Men".  These guys could play!  If you are a fan of southern music or you're looking to expand your funk vocabulary, this is a must.

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