Don Covay

Although Funky Yo Yo came out on the Versatile label in 1977, its stripped-down instrumentation and near lo-fi production has forced many critics to wonder if these recordings aren't demos from the '60s. Supporting that hypothesis is just how out of sync Covay's vintage grooves sound when compared to other RnB of the late '70s, which had gone disco. Regardless, the man's voice is in great shape, especially on raucous throwdowns like "Three Time Loser" and "An Ugly Woman (Is Twice as Sweet)."