Customer Reviews

Waltz of a Ghetto Fly

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

My boyfriend caught a cut from this CD on WDET and promptly bought the CD and said, woman, you have to hear this. He cranked it up and that was it! I'm hooked on Amp. The CD is pure soulful funk with jazz undertones and gets you swaying and dancing, whether you're by yourself or with your main squeeze (and it's quite fine for other activities with your main squeeze too). I've bought four copies of it already, one for myself and others I've given away to friends who have joined the ranks of enthusiastic Amp fans. I couldn't believe my luck when I saw that he was booked at the Hothouse (great venue) while I was in Chicago August 13 and of course I had to go. What a performer-you have to see Amp live, the effect he has on the audience is electrifying. His band and backup singers are great too. All of them seemed so joyful, in the moment ... it was wonderful. But until you get a chance to catch Amp live, get a few copies of Ghetto Fly-for yourself and to give away.

The only complaint I have is the CD insert type is too tiny! It must be 3 point type. It's a little too little for the over 40 set, and it helps to see the lyrics as some are a little hard to decipher.

I was in Detroit for the "Movement" festival this past May and amongst my frolicking in the crowds my ears heard a voice of funk wafting through the many heads gathered around the stage and like the fingers of a freshly baked pie drawing the cartoon dog to the window, my toes up and left me in the direction of the music emitting from the center stage. It was Amp Fiddler. The sound was undescribable - souldful, loving, moving, funky, it had everyone so starry eyes, hands up in the air - dancing unlike to anyone else. Something beautiful. He performed every single track off this CD and the day after I went out and bought it. It is masterful, the sound is well produced, his voice is great, the variation of this cd makes it perfect for prettymuch every mood. It is simply a stunner and you will not be dissapointed. Support this artist. Get the cd and if you get the chance to see Amp Fiddler perform live with band and backup singers take the chance and go see it because the music LIVE is something that needs to be experienced especially by the deadened ears and feet of those following dj's who have forgotten to art of live music.

I saw this brotha on VH1 Soul and his video of "Dreamin'" and he had my dyin' laughin' because he's a big ass ham! I like that cut so much and his steelo (Reminded me of Prince, which he used to tour with) that I decided to scoop his CD. Not bad. Not great. But not bad. "Dreamin'" is the standout track and almost worth the purchase itself since Saadiq penned it. Other nice tracks are "i believe in you", "eye to eye", and the Sly Stone-esque "if you can't get me off you mind." If you want something different and eclectic, this is a good twist.

Detroit seems to be this birthing place for some of the greatest music to ever come out of the US. Whether it be Jazz, Garage rock, motown, funk, or electronic, Detroit has always been ahead of it's time musically. Having lived there for ten years I saw how underappreciated it is. It's unfortunate that the majoity of the people that live there don't know what their city truly has to offer. Most electronic music artist had sought distribution support in Europe because they were supported and encouraged to develop only to return and then get recognition they deserved. Amp is one of those great artist. Though he's not entirely electronic based (His roots lie in jazz and funk and it's very apparent) his music does incorporate an amalgam of sorts. I purchased his two first 12" releases Superficial and Love and War, which included remixes that had a very Kenny Dixon Jr.(Moodyman) vibe. I later learned they were produced by his camp. The music on this highly anticipated LP truly lives up to the hype establised by the previous 12" releases. There are some great soulful tunes(not by radio format standards). He's a great musician with lyricals ranging from musician life, to romance, to a bit of the political. The arrangements are loose and very groove oriented. One can definately see where all his experience and associations with bands like P-Funk have filtered through and informed his style. A worthwhile album especially with the summer approaching. I was fortunate to catch him live at a bar in my latter days of Detroit dwelling and his show was a laid back, funk-filled affair.

Amp Fiddler is a cat that's been around awhile! Dude is 45!!! I remember getting his first solo project back in 1990, when he was simply "Mr. Fiddler". He went unnoticed by many back then, as most truly talented artists do! Amp has kept himself up appearance wise and he's done the same for his music--sticking with a modern sound and not that of a washed-up performer trying desperately hard to sound hip. Indeed, on "Waltz of the Ghetto Fly," Amp has marvellously produced, written and performed a materpiece that blends neo-soul, P-funk, hip-hop, low bpm house and even a little bossa nova. His vocals range from soft crooning as heard on "Dreamin'", "I Believe in You", "Eye to Eye" and "Superficial", to powerful growls as heard on "You Play Me" and "Love and War." This one comes highly recommended! Check out Amp Fiddler and get--pardon the pun--AMP-LIFIED!!!

Joseph 'Amp' Fiddler may be 45 and as some would say in the 'twilight' of his career but he displays the talent that made him one of the hottest keyboard players during his time with P-Funk in the 70's. 'Waltz Of A Ghetto Fly' is one of those albums which, amongst a music industry with cliched, uninspiring musical acts (Marques Houston, Cassidy, G-Unit, D12 to name a few), shines like a beacon of light.

It kicks off with a short intro and goes to the album's 2nd single 'I Believe In You', a mid-tempo funk track with plenty of attitude and sincerity made possible by Amp's backing vocalists. 'Dreamin' features Raphael Saadiq on keyboards but the highlight is Amp's superb singing on this track, there is plent of innovation here. 'Superficial' is the funkiest track on here and the one most likely to hit the dancefloor. The musicianship is very inspiring as is the instrumental, 'Possibilities', where Amp's keyboard playing is very relaxing and soothing. 'Love & War' was the first single of this album and has a very continental sound made by the brilliant percussion and harmonising. The biggest highlight is the title track itself. Here Amp goes back to his roots, laying down that the 'Waltz Of A Ghetto Fly/Never ever die', a fact backed up by George Clinton who makes a guest appearance. The music on this track is superb, the sampled piano, staccatoed bass, playful guitar, drums and singing all complementing each other to create a very funky groove.

This album is definately worth the money, simply because it is varied and different. There is certainly no commercial pap here. If you are a fan of blaxpoitation funk or artists such as Prince or Rick James, I recommend you give this a go.

Not that average is bad... but it isn't great either. Joseph "Amp" Fiddler is an electronic soul artist from Detroit, Michigan (my hometown), who has worked the likes of George Clinton and Maxwell (who are both evident in his style). What is appealing about "Waltz of a Ghetto Fly" is Amp's propensity towards minimalistic grooves and a lazy, Marvin Gaye-esque voice... which at the same time is the album's downfall. I bought this album on a whim because I thought the cover art was just awesome. And the dude with the Maxwell-type afro on the cover HAD to be a neo-soul artist (I thought the same thing with Van Hunt's album). I listened to it at the music store before buying it, and I thought it sounded pretty solid. But when I got home, it was a different story. The low-fi quality of most, if not all, of the songs makes one think it was recorded in Fiddler's basement (the hidden track "You"). And his slothful vocal style sometimes has you gesturing with your hand as if you were trying to say "What? Spit it out!" ("This Is How") Not even Raphael Saadiq could save "Dreamin'" with his contribution on keyboards. It falls way too flat, like... most of the other songs on the album. Despite said hang-ups... when Amp gets down... the cat can get down. Songs like the latinesque "Superficial" (a Stevie Wonder-meets-P-Funk style romp) and the jazz instrumental "Possibilities" warrant an automatic 3 stars alone for showcasing that Amp not only has a "funky bone" but also versatility. Be that as it may however, most of "Waltz of a Ghetto Fly" is hard to listen to because Amp and the song itself drag on to the point where you can't listen to the whole album without skipping several songs. But that doesn't mean that any of the songs are bad... just boring. The songs to look out for that are worth a spin are "Superficial", "Possibilites", "Eye To Eye", "This Is How" (George Clinton would be proud), and even the hidden track "You" (which sounds like Amp was trying to hard to write like Maxwell). Worth a spin for the handful of songs that AREN'T boring.

This is one the best R & B soul albums of the millenium in my opinion. Every song is sophisticated & smart yet simple & smooth. I've heard the instrumental from 'Waltz of a Ghetto Fly' before. It's the hidden end track on Q-Tip's solo album 'Amplified'. Oh...and, speaking of hidden songs the one after 'Waltz' is splendid. Don't forget to fast foward or you'll be missing out.

I heard this brotha on internet radio. I purchased his CD and to me it is off the hook. Like everyone else who heard it and liked it, Dreaming is a great song. The entire CD is hot. He is one brotha that sold me on the first go round. When he drops a new one, I won't hesistate to buy it. I rock this CD in my Jeep and the bass on Dreaming is kicking....I love this brotha...can't wait to see him in person... Nothing like AMP to get you going in the day... Verjaunne - Baltimore, MD

This is the first artist that really captures Sly Stones soulfullness. Forget what people are saying about the Marvin Gay, Stevie Wonder influance. Amp is the first funk soul artist thats producing the moaning groaning grooving funk focals and keyboard playing of Sly. If you like that kind of grrove then get this cd.