Inell Young - The Next Ball Game

Year Released: 1971
Genre: New Orleans Funk / Soul

Description:

“The Next Ball Game” by Inell Young is a rare and powerful 7″ funk single released in 1971 on the Libra Records label, produced by the legendary Eddie Bo — one of the central figures in New Orleans’ deep funk scene. The track stands as one of the most sought-after New Orleans funk singles, celebrated for its raw production, tight groove, and Inell Young’s commanding vocal performance.

The song opens with a gritty drum break and syncopated rhythm section — a hallmark of the New Orleans funk sound pioneered by artists like The Meters and Eddie Bo himself. Over this heavy groove, Inell Young delivers a fiery, soulful vocal urging perseverance and determination, blending a sense of streetwise realism with pure musical grit. The arrangement features driving bass, staccato guitar riffs, vibrant horns, and that signature loose, swinging New Orleans pocket that gives the record its irresistible energy.

The B-side typically features the equally rare “Part of the Game”, another Eddie Bo production rich in soulful rhythm and earthy instrumentation. Both tracks embody the raw, analog energy of early 1970s Crescent City funk — unpolished, groove-oriented, and built for dance floors and jukeboxes rather than radio play.

Although “The Next Ball Game” received only limited distribution at the time, original 7″ pressings have become highly collectible, commanding premium prices among funk and soul enthusiasts worldwide. Its scarcity, coupled with its undeniable rhythmic power, has made it a staple on deep funk DJ sets and breakbeat compilations.

Over the years, the track has been sampled and referenced by several hip-hop and breakbeat producers, prized for its authentic drum tone and gritty funk feel. Its influence can be heard in the sample-based production styles of the 1990s and beyond — though only the most dedicated crate diggers ever laid hands on an original copy.

“The Next Ball Game” remains one of the defining hidden gems of New Orleans funk — a raw, soulful anthem whose deep rhythm and fiery performance continue to resonate with collectors, DJs, and producers who cherish the sound of pure, unfiltered funk