Keith Mansfield – Contempo

They Say: “New directions in contemporary scoring”. We say: Contempo is one of the best full album listens in the KPM 1000 library. Succinct smoking soul, super tight breaks and string-drenched sleaze composed by the library master, Keith Mansfield. The creator of the romping tunes that became the iconic themes to the BBC’s Grandstand programme and their televised Wimbledon Tennis Championship coverage, Keith Mansfield was perhaps KPM’s most prolific artist from the mid 1960s right the way through the 1980s. As well as the sort of pop orchestral sound that is all over these classic library records, he could also turn his hand to raw, edgy rock and funk. Quentin Tarantino is a big fan, going as far as including some of Keith’s work on the soundtracks to Kill Bill and Grindhouse. Many library records are a game of two halves and Contempo is certainly one of those. The first side cooks on a high funk breaks flame whilst the flip is something altogether more tranquil, yet no less groovy. It lays back with dreamier, post-coital grooves. Rugged funk opener “The Fix” confidently displays its low slung languid grooves with heavy drums, horns and bass. Smokin’ in slow motion. The punchy “What’s Cooking” follows and has a lighter, more whimsical touch. But the drums still roll and the clavs wiggle in fascinating opposition to those horns. The dark and moody intro to “Cut To Music” gives way to a more inclusive, relaxed funk that’s all irresistible bass and stabbing horns. The mid-tempo “Man Alive” signals the time to really get down [info sheet from distr.]

These KPM 1000 series reissues are incredible. I've been a fan of the series since discovering them 20 years ago and I never anticipated being able to own a pristine vinyl copy. The remastering on these are excellent and the records are virtually free of any surface noise. Contempo (1188) here is one of the best in the series as is Afro Rock (1139) which too has been reissued and also sounds insanely good. Wish they would release Rock On (1196) as its also really kick ass. In any case, cheers to Be With Records for putting these out and in such outstanding quality.

Finally got my hands on this! I couldn't be more satisfied. It's an excellent pressing and an excellent mastering. I'm glad they reproduced the centre label. Easily one of the best library records ever made, and probably the best KPM album.

Only thing is, same as on the original, there are no credits. Who are the players? I always wondered if labelmate Brian Bennett had a hand in this one.