A CD titled Midwest Funk features various artists of the late 1960s who embraced that period when rock 'n' roll soul funk was moving into an upbeat, semi-calypso style funk with heavy emphasis on instruments.

Barbara Reece, then recording under her maiden name of Barbara Howard, is among the artists from Cincinnati; Minneapolis; Detroit; Columbus; Oklahoma City; Wichita, Kan.; Indianapolis; St. Louis; and other Midwestern cities who were part of that movement.

The songs, put together by Jazzman Records in London, are spreading across Europe and the West Coast.

Barbara Reece, who recorded under her maiden name, Barbara Howard, is included on a CD called Midwest Funk, featuring artists of the 1960s. The Cincinnati Enquirer/MICHAEL SNYDER

"They are even talking about taking some of the artists on a tour,'' said Reece. She recorded "I Don't Want Your Love," written by her then-boyfriend and later husband, Steve Reece. They are the parents of Cincinnati Vice Mayor Alicia Reece.

"I am a little older, now, but I can go back to that period. If they want me to go on a tour, I will gladly do it,'' Barbara Reece said.

At 52, she has multiple sclerosis but still performs occasionally at Friendship Baptist Church in Avondale where she is a member.

Much of the upbeat pep in her voice remains after more than 30 years ago when she ranked along with such artists as The Soul Tornados, Akron; the Wallace Brothers, Columbus; Billy Joe Holloman, Minneapolis; The Fabulous Originals, Dayton, Ohio; Henry Peters and the Imperials, Omaha, Neb.; and many others.