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R&B/Soul/Urban

Rating Scale: to

Artist:	KING BRITT PRESENTS SYLK 130
Title:	"WHEN THE FUNK HITS THE FAN"
Label:	Ovum/Ruff House/Columbia
Reviewed By:	Donn Jehs
Rating:

This is one of the most interesting, if unusual, CDs I've heard in a long time. What we have is a musical movie without the film. Much like "Saturday Night Fever" epitomized the disco era, this album does the same for that thing called "funk." Life in the ghetto, the appeal of the DJ and his "black vinyl" is explored through music and rap. However the verbal expressions are more akin to poetry than modern rap. With a large cast of players, this ensemble gives us a series of vignettes that explore the typical weekend of life in the 5-6 (city). From casual meetings to the spinning of black vinyl by the DJ, each one is has a background of music full of the jazz and funk that characterize life. There are 19 tracks on the CD, some narration, some music, some poetry and music combined. I'm only going to comment on a few as this CD stands and falls as a total package although some of the individual pieces stand out like brighter stars in a sky full of them. One of the most interesting spoken pieces is "E.R.A." done by Ursala Rucker as "the Voice of Reason." It is poetry expressing woman, her role, her strength, her part to play. It's followed by "Getting Into It." This tells a story much like that portrayed by Donna Summer in TGIF - wanting to sing. It has a haunting opening and a great R&B tune that brought back memories of the days when the "Commodores" and Donna were on top, and funk/disco ruled the airwaves. "King Britt" and the "Cosmic Lounge Arkestra" gives us "When The Funk Swings," filled with great horns, a touch of vocals/skat, drums, and solid bass, all combined to deliver a great track to listen to. Alison Crockett is "Diva Blue" singing "Seasons Change," a blues piece that is soft and soulful. Each vocal portion is backed by music that subtly reflects the mood of the moment. Containing a minimum of sampling, we get original yet evocative music that is like turning back the years without replaying them. What "King Britt" is after is creation of a place for "a happy race,a funky bass, for a loving place." This is Sylk City, location of the Cosmic Lounge. Come in and enjoy the music.

 

 

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