Dark Entries is humbled to continue digging through the archives of legendary producer Patrick Cowley. While best known for his production on chart-topping cybernetic disco anthems such as Sylvester's "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" or his own "Menergy", Cowley, who passed away from AIDS-related illness in 1982, left us with a substantial body of work. Since 2009, Dark Entries has been working with Cowley's friends and family to shed light on the lesser-known facets of this singular artist's output. This has resulted in a string of celebrated archival albums, including Catholic (featuring Jorge Socarras), School Daze, Muscle Up, Afternooners, and the recent Mechanical Fantasy Box. Some Funkettes, the latest addition to this series, is a collection of previously unreleased cover songs recorded from 1975-1977. These raw, unembellished tributes both showcase Cowley's early musical interests and chart the development of his production techniques.Some Funkettes opens with Cowley's sauntering instrumental rendition of "Do It Anyway You Wanna", the disco classic by People's Choice. Next is a psychedelic reworking of the Temptations' "Papa Was a Rolling Stone", here hazily retitled "Papa Wuzza Rollinston". Over it's 7 minute runtime, the track's metronomic, minimal groove builds to a frantic synth solo - this is pure Bay Area motorik. "Spiked Punch", a curious riff on Herbie Hancock's "Chameleon" follows. Cowley's lurching, a minimalist reimagining of Hancock's opus prefigures the work he would later do on Sylvester's masterpiece "I Need Somebody to Love Tonight". Side B opens with a truly important historical document: Cowley's cover of Donna Summer's "I Feel Love". The Moroder-produced disco anthem was a critical influence on Cowley - he would later resculpt the original song into arguably it's highest form with his 15-minute-long remix. The instrumental cover version here is sparse and euphoric, brimming with classic Cowley synth signatures alongside the infectious Moroder bassline. A relatively faithful take on Bazuka's 1975 funk classic "Dynomite" follows. The record closes with the dub version of "Spiked Punch", which highlights developments in Cowley's recording and synthesis techniques by way of it's resonant burbles and spring reverb-laden passages.Some Funkettes was made possible with help from Patrick's brother Jim and his former studio mate Maurice Tani. All songs were mastered for vinyl by George Horn. The sleeve is a collage designed in 1975 by Cowley's former roommate Francesca Rosa that was found covering a reel to reel box. It features a yin-yang symbol and a photograph of a scruffy 24-year-old Patrick, to which we added his original handwriting. Each record comes with an insert featuring a four-page essay by Francesca as well as a postcard featuring liner notes and a photograph by Cowley's roommate and best friend, Theresa McGinley. This peek into Cowley's formative years arrives just in time for what would have been his 70th birthday.
Release date:
November 13, 2020
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Denon DP-400
Featuring a high-precision, belt-driven mechanism and an adjustable tonearm that ensures optimal tracking and minimal resonance
-
Vinyl Care - Top Picks
A selection of accesories to keep your turntable equipment & vinyl records in the best shape
-
Cartridges - Top Picks
A selection of turnatble cartridges that provide great performance and sound quality
-
Nagaoka MP-110H Cartridge
Features a high-quality elliptical stylus that provides excellent tracking and minimizes distortion, delivering a detailed sound reproduction with an output voltage of 5.0 mV
-
Edifier R1280DB Powered Speakers
Combining classic design with modern Bluetooth connectivity, built-in amplification and versatile inputs, these speakers deliver rich, balanced sound.
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Bruce Springsteen Lost And Found: Selections From The Lost Albums [2xLP]
Legacy Recordings
June 27, 2025 -
Durand Jones & The Indications Flowers
Dead Oceans
June 27, 2025 -
Willi Carlisle Winged Victory
Signature Sounds
July 4, 2025 -
Niall Horan Heartbreak Weather (5 Year Anniversary; Baby Blue)
Capitol
August 15, 2025 -
The Cold Stares The Southern Part 2
Deko Music
July 18, 2025 -
Cardi B AM I THE DRAMA? (Apple)
Atlantic
September 19, 2025 -
Motion City Soundtrack The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World
Epitaph
September 19, 2025 -
Billy Joel The Nylon Curtain
Legacy Recordings
July 11, 2025 -
Russell Dickerson Famous Back Home
Triple Tigers/Kimberly Perry LP1
August 22, 2025 -
Various Artists VIrtual Dreams Ii: Ambient Explorations In The House & Techno Age Japan 1993-1999 [2xLP]
Music From Memory
July 11, 2025 -
Margarita Witch Cult Strung Out In Hell
Heavy Psych Sounds
July 11, 2025 -
Darkthrone It Beckons Us All (Cream)
Peaceville Import
July 4, 2025 -
James Morrison Fight Another Day (White)
Cooking Vinyl
October 3, 2025 -
Michael Cera Palin We Could Be Brave
Brain Synthesizer
June 27, 2025