Customer Reviews

Cellar Funk

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

First of all, I have been a HUGE Down to the Bone fan ever since I first heard a track of theirs a few years ago. Seeing them live at the Old Pasadena Jazz Fest was one of the highlights of the summer of '03. With that, I have to say -- what were they thinking? This CD sounds like they got tired of the whole thing, turned on the synthesizers and left the room, no, the building. Monotonous. Stale. Wow. Why? Any of their other CDs blows this one out of the water. Try "Manhattan to Staten" and "Crazy Vibes & Things."

With apologies to the guy from Tampa, who admits he isn't a DTTB fan, this CD is very good.

While it is not as into the horns as past DTTB CDs, the keyboard work from Neil Cowley and Neil Angilley make this CD a departure from past DTTB efforts, and yet you still have the sax and flute playing of Paul "Shilts" Weimer to go with it. It has a funkier edge to it, which means that anyone who is looking for just a jazz fix only here might not relate, but if you like to mix your jazz with some good grooves, then this is for you.

The best tracks are "Back In Buisness", "Cellar Funk" "I'll Always Hold You Close", "The Flow" and "Global Village", but the CD as a whole keeping it going from begining to end.

I found that this CD did not live up to its title. DTTB's later CD, Spread Love Like Wildfire, is much funkier (despite its title, which would lead you to believe that its tracks are all love songs). The tracks on Not Funky Enough all seem to have the same disco beat and the horn lines are very repetitive. In short, I found this CD to be on the boring side.

MY definition of acid jazz : music that's jazzy ,funky, groovey & rockin' all at the same time. that's what his cd is.if you enjoyed DTTB's first 5 or 6 cd's you will LOVE this cd.if you enjoy THIS cd you'll LOVE their other cd's! these guys are GROOVEY!

"Cellar Funk", by Down To The Bone, is an awful exercise in bland computerized pre- programmed robot music. If you want real jazz/rock fusion, you are better off listening to the Crusaders, Stuff, Weather Report, or the master Miles Davis. There are no educated musical riffs, or even a hint of great musicianship here. This isn't real jazz, but it could find a place as telephone hold music! Avoid this release like the plague.

Since I first came across DTTB some years ago, I can't get enough of their music and this latest offering does not disappoint; jazz with a funky, grooving edge--Yes, it's the same style as their other CDs. But they never fail to surprise and delight me. I dare you to try to sit still when you listen to this CD.

I am a huge fan of DTTB and their music. I've listened to, bought, and loved their music since their first US release in 1999, "From Manhattan to Staten Island". They are a huge break from the mainstream contemporary jazz music that I personally think sometimes puts you to sleep. From teh begining they've always had outrageously funky tunes that had tremendous solos in every song. The songs have jazz roots and take those roots and expand them past the mainstream jazz music. They add a little spice to it with straight up funk, disco, dance and powerfully driven urban beats. Cellar Funk did not disappoint. It might be their best release since "Urban Grooves".It's much more urban than a few of their previous releases with stronger bass and drum backbeats. They added some very nice R&B touches to their album noticably on tracks like "Little Smile", and "Your The Only Reason" that make these songs a little slower paced than some of the others but gives it a warm confortable feeling. They are truly smooth groove gems that still keep you tapping your feet. They also incorporated some dance touches that make up songs like "The Flow" and "Crossing Boundaries". That gives these songs the extra boost to really make them shine. "Back In Business" and "Cellar Funk" are good songs that are shout outs to the original DTTB tracks but have an extra funkiness and edge to them which you can thank to stronger bass lines and short noted keyboard harmonies. The bonus track "Back In Business, (the business mix)" are great feel good DTTB jives. "Dancing to a Samba" is a great hybrid of dance, salsa, samba, jazz, and urban music. It sounds great and I hope more are to come. They gave the keyboards more time in the spot light throughout the album with frequent drawn out solos. The horns in general took a backseat in this album which isn't such a bad thing because it gave the harmony more life. This is a great funky album that you listen to on the highway, in your room, on a walk man,during parties, and just about anywhere. I strongy recommend this album. I'm sorry for any typos and/or misspellings.

I've been hearing Down to the Bone for years now and have all their albums. I've enjoyed them as I have rarely enjoyed music, they simply make my day.

Sadly this album is not what I've been hearing in their past albums...they have turned from Acid Jazz (a mix of Funk, Jazz and Soul) to FUSION jazz (a mix of Jazz, Samba, Bossa Nova, you name it!).

I gave this disc 4 stars because it does not generate the feelings the other four albums do, but it is still a very good album (I can hear the piece "Dancing to a Samba" a THOUSAND times and still want to hear it one more time).

One thing to keep in mind is that we usually complain that artists start composing in a certain way and continue releasing albums that sound exactly the same. Maybe this change in Down to the Bone is for the future best.

This is a solid release by Down to the Bone, with a number of quality tracks. There's less fresh and funky live instrumentation on this album, and a little bit more of a synthesized sound, but if that kind of thing doesn't ruin it for you, then you'll find this to be good listening.

Highlights include: Back in Business, I'll Always Hold You Close, Timeless, The Flow (featuring Flora Purim), and Global Village.

Other worthwhile tracks include: Cellar Funk, Crossing Boundaries, and You're The Only Reason.

The album starts to drag a little bit starting with track 10, L.A. Shakedown, and continuing through the rest of the album. By no means are these bad tracks, but they just extend the album a little too long.

Start your Down to the Bone collection with their first two albums, From Manhattan to Staten and The Urban Grooves. If you like what you hear, and if you don't mind a slightly more synthesized sound, you'll want to add Cellar Funk to your collection as well.

This Review Copyrighted 2010 by J. Smith

I enjoyed this cd and the band has proven that they have staying power. Smooth Jazz really needed a shot in the arm. I hear too many groups sounding alike and DTTB makes an effort to be different.

If you want music that is about making music and less or little about sexuality, this is for you.