stuff about bklyn fnk ssntls & roy ayers

Sean Silcoff (ssilcoff@ccs.carleton.ca)
Tue, 29 Aug 95 23:58:43 EDT


Picked up Brooklyn Funk Essentials album Cool and Steady and Easy and Roy
Ayers Ubiquity's Mystic Voyage this weekend. Here are some impressions:

Bklyn FE: I estimate these folks earned their reputation through great
live shows. If that's the case, what has been captured on album is a
disappointment. I find them a little too digestible for my tastes, I'm
afraid. Many might disagree, but I'm reminded a bit of US3 and the
Solsonics as I listen to this. Polished jazzfunk dance music for the
masses. This is the record millions of halfass music fans will shake
before their friends' faces when they say, "Listen to this REALLY COOL
ACID JAZZ (further emphasis on the acid jazz) album I picked up." This one
will blare on far too many car stereos in far too many daddy's borrowed
convertibles, I fear.
Sure, it's fun listening, but it's candy. I would, however, not hesitate
to see them in concert. might have a hard time seeing the stage over all
those industry heads, though.
OK, some of it is pretty good (I'm listening to Stickman Crosses... for
the first time). The Revolution Was Postponed Because of Rain is hysterical.

Roy Ayers...: What can you say? Pretty awesome. I continue to wow my
classicly trained musician friend with the finest sounds of classic funk.
Life Is Just a Moment (Pts. 1 and 11) is killer. So is Spirit of Doo Do,
and many others. Any recommendations for other roy Ayers albums?

Bro'Sean