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
Lizz Wright
The Orchard
OUT TO LUNCH
Melvin's Rockpile
MeShell NdegeOcello
Comfort Woman
JERRY LEAKE AND RANDY ROOS
Cubist Live
VARIOUS ARTISTS
Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Highlights, Volume 1
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