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 Side B opens with a truly important historical document: Cowley's cover of Donna Summer's "I Feel Love".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
-
Technics SL-1500C Turntable
Features a direct-drive motor, a high-precision tonearm, and a premium MM cartridge, delivering exceptional sound quality
-
Turntables - Top Picks
A selection of reliable record players you can buy today, for every budget
-
Phono Preamps - Top Picks
A selection of the best phono preamps for your turntable setup
-
Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge
Features an elliptical stylus that accurately tracks the grooves of vinyl records, delivering a rich, detailed sound with an output voltage of 5.5 mV
-
Pro-Ject Phono Box DC Pre-Amp
Compact, high-performance phono preamplifier for both MM and MC cartridges, delivering a clean, detailed signal with minimal noise.
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Robert Forster Strawberries
Tapete Records
July 4, 2025 -
As December Falls Everything's On Fire But I'm Fine (Red Marble)
As December Falls
August 8, 2025 -
Various Artists VIrtual Dreams Ii: Ambient Explorations In The House & Techno Age Japan 1993-1999 [2xLP]
Music From Memory
July 11, 2025 -
Russell Dickerson FAMOUS BACK HOME (Amazon Exclusive)
Triple Tigers/Kimberly Perry LP1
August 22, 2025 -
Simple Minds Once Upon A Time (Ruby Red)
A&M
October 17, 2025 -
The Warriors Burn Yourself Alive
Pure Noise Records
September 26, 2025 -
HAAi HUMANiSE (Crystal Clear) [2xLP]
Deko Music
October 10, 2025 -
Tatsuro Yamashita Big Wave 2025 Edition
Wea Japan
July 4, 2025 -
The Band CAMINO NeverAlways (Amazon Exclusive; Apple Red)
Atlantic
July 25, 2025 -
Incite Savage New Times
Reigning Phoenix Music America, LLC
August 15, 2025 -
Strange Boutique Let The Lonely Heart Sing (Transparent Marbled Turquoise & Black)
The Circle Music
August 8, 2025 -
Prince Royce Eterno
Sony U.s. Latin
September 5, 2025 -
Bad Suns Accelerator
Epitaph
August 8, 2025 -
Petey USA The Yips
Capitol
July 11, 2025