Customer Reviews

Life on Planet Groove

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"We like to play 2% jazz, 98% funky stuff," says Maceo Parker, while the band warms up the first song. I'd quibble with those numbers; there's considerably more jazz here than he is willing to admit, although the record is definitely dominated by "funky stuff". The great drawback of the album is that Parker and gang allows that 2% to dominate the slower songs in its middle, bringing the party to a halt.

When the party is cooking, however, you can smell the down home spices wafting from your stereo speakers. 'Shake Everything You've Got' is neither a suggestion nor a demand. It is a command, one that I defy anyone to disobey. The horns are tight, the bass moves beautifully, and Maceo is a king MC, working the crowd in a great example of call-and-response interplay. The song's most glorious section comes when Maceo asks the crowd to "give the drummer some (give it to the funky drummer)". One of the many references to Maceo's first funk godfather -- James Brown -- it sets drummer Kenwood Dennard on a ridiculous funky solo. Maceo and his sax eventually join in, and the results are transcendent. Listen to Maceo's horn rise in pitch and energy, whipping the audience into a frenzy until they can't stand it anymore. When the main groove bursts back in, the place erupts. A truly cathartic moment.

'Pass the Peas' takes 'Shake's momentum, and cranks it up a notch. A song of quicker tempo, it features the ultimate in energetic grooves. Here, Maceo pays homage to his other funk godfather, George Clinton. At one point, he quotes lyrics from half a dozen Parliament songs, most notably the famous refrain: "Make my funk the P-Funk/I want my funk uncut/Make my funk the P-Funk/I want to get funked up..."

Then comes a cover of Brown's "I Got You (I Feel Good)". Maceo played on the original version, and should have left it at that. Kym Mazelle, who does vocal duty, is way too over the top. She reminds me of a technically proficient Tina Turner, a singer whose voice I never liked. The next three songs are nondescript ballads. The band manages a noble effort on these, but it really derails the party. 'Georgia On My Mind' follows them, and is a stunning version of that Hoagy Carmichael classic. Maceo (at least I think it's him on this one) does a credible Ray Charles impression in his vocal, and later introduces the band (for I think the third time!) so each can take a manic, energetic solo; my favourite being Rodney Jones' busy, jangly, and jazzy guitar break.

The final song on the album, 'Soul Power '92', returns to the party form established by the first two songs. It's another up-tempo groover, featuring Maceo's simpatico call-and-response style with the audience, and some tight (or rather TIGHT!) horn playing. Should be noted that the horn section contains such notable James Brown alumnus as Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis and the great Fred Wesley on trombone. Wesley gets several solos here, each of full tone and funky rhythm.

Maceo is a great saxophonist. In fact, he's one of those players who's tone and style you recognize immediately. It's funky and huge. And on the party jams here, he leads his band through some serious pure and uncut funk. The recording is masterful, the band sounds great, and the audience seems willing to follow them wherever they go. I just wish he'd left the ballads in the dressing room. Otherwise, this would have been a perfect album.

This is the best live performance ever recorded, EVER. I'd give my right leg to have been there.

Any drummers here? There's enough tight licks to send you to the woodshed to practice for a decade. Almost every backbeat sends chills down my spine.

This album is truly a testament to instrumental musicians. Everybody plays their part, nobody steps on anyone else, each musician inspires the others to play their best, and the result is a sublime collective whole. Machines will never groove as hard humans, and this album is proof.

I'm on my third copy in over a decade, the CDs just can't seem to hold up to the amount of times I play them.

If you like funk and you don't own this CD, stop reading my review and ORDER THE CD...then come back and read the rest of course...this is one of the most groove-heavy and funky CD's I've ever heard...just in the first track alone when Maceo goes at it with Kenwood Dennard (drums) and they solo together it is so funky. if you can't feel the groove this disc will help you find your way to the groove...this is what you need...anyone who likes funk should get this CD by ALL and ANY means possible!

There is too much funk in this small disc. "Shake Everything You've Got" starts out the live album properly, 16 minutes of pure funk you won't ever want to end. Sadly it does end, but luckily when it does you hear "Pass the Peas." These two songs alone are well worth the price of the whole disc. Next is I got You (I feel Good). The priceless James Bown classic is alive with Kim Mazelle on vocals. Mazelle sticks around for Got to Get U, a Maceo classic originally released on "All the King's Men." Then, the disc slows down a bit but still stays funky. Another James Brown classis, "Soul Power" finishes off the album. The JB horns are so tight on this album it is almost disgusting. If you enjoy yourself a good funk every once in a while, you should probably pick up this disc. If you enjoy yourself a good funk a lot, you probably have this. If you don't, click "Buy Now" Immediately.

Maceo Parker was always James Brown's right-hand man, and for good reason. He is one smokin' sax player. But he's more than that. He's one of very few icons in the world of funk. Ask anyone. It just doesn't get as good as Maceo. He's raw, powerful and sooooo soulful. Like some of the other reviewers, I've had the good fortune of seeing him live a few times, and he never disappoints. Most people his age are kicking back in their Lazy-Boys and collecting their retirement checks. Maceo is out there blowin' his horn so hard the roof could fly off the building. And like few live albums out there, this album is actually able to capture a lot of that vibe. Played through some good speakers, "Life On Planet Groove" is liable to get the dead up and dancing.

...if you want pure, unadulterated, grownfolk, are-the-kids-in-bed-yet?, bid whist, house party funk...then you need to have this nearby at all times! this is the heart and soul of the jb horns doin it to death! the hottest damn cd out there for my money! maceo has some excellent jazz cd's, but this isnt one of them...right here brotha mace is callin on the patron saint of funk to bless the day and the deities of sweat to come and oversee the night!! i'm not exxaggeratin....you cant call yourself a devoted fan of soul music and then turn around and sleep on this cd...you gonna love it and that's a promise!

Say you're having a bunch of friends over and you're all sitting around having an 'okay' time. You feel a little dissapointed; you wanted something more from the evening. Well, throw this album on and people will be dancing on your furniture in no time. They'll be chattering happily to each other and unconsciously moving their bodies in a very funky and sensual way. Maceo does what he does better than anybody, and this is the next best thing to seeing him live. In fact, I've seen him a bunch of times and I think this album captures him at his best. It's the ultimate 'good times' album

Undoubtedly the greatest way to discover Maceo Parker. This live recorded at Cologne in 1992 bring together Maceo, Fres Wesley, Pee We Elis and more guest (Kim Mazel, Candy Dufler...).
http://www.maceo-parker.com/albums.html

I recommend this cd to anyone stuck in a rut like I was. Listening to the same artists over and over but wanting something new and fresh. Life on Planet Groove will be a welcome addition to your collection. Great for the drive!

This is quite possibly one of the best performances EVER. Goes from fast pace to slow, each instrument sounding ridiculously good. It's 2% jazz 98% funky stuff, will definetly blow your lid off. Go see Maceo live, you won't be disapointed.