This nine piece, horn based, funk and R & B band travels the same path as Tower of Power, James Brown and Sly and the Family Stone. About half of the 10 cuts found on this release feature a frantic pace and lots of horn breaks while the balance work real hard at jumping into a low down, bass heavy groove. Charles Walker is a soulful singer who rides above the hard grooves with an ease that reflects his earlier stints fronting bands at New York’s storied Apollo Theatre. Stand out tracks include the sinewy "Slinky", the big Otis Redding style ballad, "Dig Deeper", and the rip-roaring "Own Thing". If you dig old school funk there is something here for you. Smitty
HENRY BUTLER, STEVE BERNSTEIN AND THE HOT 9
VIPER'S DRAG
The Mackrosoft
Antonio's Giraffe
Rachelle Garniez & the Fortunate Few
Luckyday
Bob Merrill and Roswell Rudd
Cheerin' Up The Universe
THE IAN CAREY QUINTET +1
Roads & Codes
Various Artists
Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary All-Stars
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