Customer Reviews

Mr. Patterson's Hat

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The previous reviewer seems to have a very narrow definition of funk. This is not George Clinton-style funk. I love Parliament and Funkadelic as much as anyone, but there are other styles of funk, and Papa Grows Funk goes for a sound closer to The Meters, and anyone who says The Meters aren't funk just doesn't know what funk is. Like almost all New Orleans music, there is a dance element here, but to call this light or just dance music really misses the point. In fact, Papa Grows Funk delve a bit more into jazz territory on this one than on previous albums when they stuck even closer to the sound of The Meters. The jazz elements come mostly from some inspired sax playing by Jason Mingledorff. Fans of the band's previous efforts should not fear, though. John Gros' keyboard playing and June Yamagishi's scorching guitar work still lay down the funk as hard as on their earlier albums. If you like The Meters, you can't go wrong with this album. However, to call this "light" or to deny it as funk is just plain silly. If Papa Grows Funk aren't funk, then neither are The Meters, Galactic, Porter Batiste Stoltz, or any of the other modern New Orleans funk bands. If you are only going to get one Papa Grows Funk album, I'd go for their live album, but this is a very solid effort that would make The Meters proud.

Further listening: it should go without saying, but The Meters, Galactic (and solo albums by Stanton Moore), Porter Batiste Stoltz (and solo albums by Brian Stoltz), John Gros' solo album (Day's End), June Yamagishi's album with Johnny Vidacovich and George Porter, Robert Walter (or The Greyboy Allstars)... Basic point: modern funk means more than just rehashing George Clinton.
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real deal new orleans funk. if you don't shake it to this album, you probably need to check your pulse!

The groundbreaking funk of the late 60's and 70's is wonderful but, like any other genre, it will expand into new directions. This New Orleans band blends obvious Crescent City infuences with some seriously popping bass, deep grooves, snarky guitar lines and significant attitude to present quality funk. My favorite song here is "Ride On"

More dance music than funk in my opinion and on that note I have heard better dance music.In short a tad disappointing.
A bit too light & fluffy for my liking.