Soul Boogaloo

Funk, inc. : the corporation of Funk...

2008-03-31T17:10:29+02:00

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.

Al Green's back in business!

2008-03-28T15:02:05+01:00

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...

Sweet vandalism...

2008-03-04T17:55:00+01:00

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 :

Mr Chuck's homage to Mr JB

2008-03-03T22:40:59+01:00

"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.

The Heavy : a heavy load of dirt!

2008-03-03T22:41:33+01:00

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.

A great article about the soul music revival

2008-01-31T15:14:24+01:00

Just found out a great article on the web about the recent soul music revival by Jason Schneider on the Canadian website Exclaim.

It's all about good taste : Amy Winehouse, Corinne Bailey Rae, Solomon Burke, Betty LaVette, Mavis Staples, well, all kind of people I also appreciate so much, as you may have noticed...

Here is the link :

http://exclaim.ca/articles/research.aspx?csid1=115

The 1001 nights of Sharon Jones

2008-01-31T14:59:41+01:00

So here it is, Sharon Jones and her infamous Dap Kings are back. Sit back and relax, close your eyes... shazam! You're back in 1963! The production could be Spector's, well, except it's in stereo though!

Of course, one can feel the huge influence of Mr James Brown and all his singing ladies (When the other foot drops, Let them knock). But also, think Tina Turner. Think John Barry (Tell me).Think Burt Bacharach. Not enough? Hey, why are you still in frontof your laptop instead of running out to the next record store and buy the album??? This album, 100 days, 100 nights is definetely a must-have, I mean it.

Among all the latest soul revival divas(let's say Amy Winehouse, Nicole Willis, Corinne Bailey Rae), Sharon Jones got her own sit , no doubt about it!

Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, 100 Days 100 Nights.

Back to the scene of the crime

2008-01-25T18:24:12+01:00

Hey check it out, the one, the great, the only Bettye LaVette, a/k/a the real soul survivor sister, is back with a brand new album, The Scene of the Crime.

Following her 2005 huge comeback with Joe Henri-produced album Own hell to raise, Bettye LaVette turns back to the front of the scene with a bunch of guys that know how to do their thang, the Drive-by Truckers. Those backside musicians fit perfectly to the rough voice of Ms. Lavette, with their garage-band rough sound.

Pretty good album actually, even if one could regret it lacks one or two potential hits : you listen to the whole album and feel like you're alone at night in an old Chevy in the rain, but there's nothing that really smacks you in the face anyway...

The album worth the buying anyway, but don't forget to hear other stuff from her. For instance, take a look at her cover of this great song of true-genious Fiona Apple :

I'm back and I'm proud

2008-01-25T09:42:25+01:00

Yeah, say it loud, I'm back in business guys!

It's been rather such a too long time I hadn't published anything here, is what it is what is, but hey, that's gotta change!

So please tune in and welcome on board once again

Peace.

Nicole Willis : back to old school!

2007-02-14T09:59:30+01:00

The French blog Cultures Eclectiques just wrote a note about one of the latest wonders in soul music : Nicole Willis and the Soul Investigators. Such a great record, sounding like the Motown/Stax sound from the '60s.

Hurry up and listen!

The link on Cultures Eclectiques : Nicole Willis, le son de Detroit