Monday, 31 March 2008
Funk, inc. : the corporation of Funk...
Recently I dug an old masterpiece of funk in my own personal collection. Actually it's not one album, but the reedition of two albums in one CD : Hangin'Out / Superfunk, by some band called Funk, inc.
Very cool piece of instrumental funk, in the direct legacy of The Meters. And actually they even covered Message from the Meters in a version that smells sweat and funk as hell!
These two album are a sweet blend of jazz-funk, bluesy-funk, soulful funk, or whatever you may call it. The band's name itself is obvious enough, right?
So why dont'cha have it a try?
Listen to this one, Smokin' at Tiffany's, from Hangin'out
Funk, inc., Hangin'out / Superfunk.
17:10 Posted in From the attic | Permalink | Comments (0)
Thursday, 27 March 2008
Al Green's back in business!
Hey, sounds like velvet-voice Reverend Al Green could be back in business pretty soon! According to the always aware soul-sides.com, he's currently in the studio with no less than Mr ?uestlove from The Roots as the producer, and some old friends like Anthony Hamilton and the Daptone Horns to help...
My oh my, it really made my day...
16:10 Posted in From the attic | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tuesday, 04 March 2008
Sweet vandalism...
Speaking of Mr JB... who could be considered as the legatee of James Brown's sound of nowadays?
Maybe I'm wrong, but I really believe that The Sweet Vandals could fit the (hot) pants, to say the least...
Listen to their rough, live-sounding, yet edge-cuttin' grooves, including the "One" beat introduced by the Godfather : ain't it funky now??? They even allow themselves to cover Papa's got a brand new Bag, got balls, uh?
Every tune on this album establishes itself as a funk classic, which one could swear it's coming from the late 60's...
Yes, Mr James Brown is dead, but hey, don't worry : the legacy is here, no doubt about it...
The Sweet Vandals, The Sweet Vandals (Funkorama Records)
Here is a short sample : The Sweet Vandals, You're Gettin' It :
17:50 Posted in Sounds of today | Permalink | Comments (0)
Monday, 03 March 2008
Mr Chuck's homage to Mr JB
"To sample James Brown you gotta have dignity. To sample James Brown you gotta have integrity (...) To sample James Brown you gotta throw your shoulder back and hold your head up high and make your community proud". With this exerpt begins the last song of Chuck D's last masterpiece, Tribb to JB.
It's more than obvious that James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, was also the Godfather of Rap, as thousands of hip-hop "producaz" found their inspiration -or their lack of inspiration- by crate diggin' into James Brown discography. And among them, the (in)famous Bomb Squad was one of the greatest user of JB's samples : think Public Enemy, think (even more obviously) Son of Bazerk.
So, one year after the Soul Brother Number One, the Hardest Working Man in Show Business's death, Mr Chuck D and his mate from his own label, Slamjamz Records, pays his tribute to his mentor with this album of JB's classics cover versions. Chuck D's rappin, with Kyle Jason's singing, along with The BaNNed (the live group with Public Enemy on stage), Crew Grrl Order, Professor Griff, the Impossibulls, and a bunch of real live horns join themselves for this rather dangerous exercise. And the results is beyond all expectancies!
The outro, a live version of King Heroin, is performed on BB King Club's stage by some young girl called Automn, and I defy any of you not to have your tears to your eyes while listening to her rendition.
This album's definitely a must-have, so run into it quick!
Chuck D and Slamjamz Artist Revue, Tribb to JB, Slamjamz Records.
18:20 Posted in Sounds of today | Permalink | Comments (0)
The Heavy : a heavy load of dirt!
Ever imagined Curtis Mayfield singing along with the Stooges? Or let's, say, Tom Waits jamming with Marvin Gaye? Well, probably not... Anyway that's really what comes to one's mind when listening to The Heavy's first album, Great Vengeance and the Furious Five.
A blend of soul, funk, gritty garage rock, sung by chamelon-voiced singer Swaby, on a music score really really dirty, in fact this lo-fi sound beeing part of their musical signature. After many years looking for a label, and beeing refused by majors because of their rough sound, finally the clever guys at Ninja Tune had the guts to sign them, and brought them to the light, for our great delight.
You better hurry and discover this incredible band from Bath, UK, that will break all your stereotypes about music genres!
The Heavy, Great Vengeance and the Furious Five, Ninja Tune.
17:10 Posted in Sounds of today | Permalink | Comments (0)