| SEVEN
ELEVEN-Hot’n’Funky (JJ Tracks 2003 – JJT77024)
by Funkygirl
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 Their
beautiful website where you can hear and buy the albums: www.seveneleven.nl
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Seven eleven is back with their tasty mix of modern funk, brimful of groove with an explosive horn section and the bassist Dodge (read review >>>) being a Bootsy’s fan. Just add a little Hip Hop, a sip of Jazz and the efficient rapper Are MC, you’ll then get an idea of their flavorsome recipe … Advertised for release since last year (I’m often hanging around with the tee-shirt Dice offered me during the North Sea Jazz Festival 2002 and inspired by the album), here at last comes the third version of this album subsequent to the remastering of “The new come out” (back with its original red sleeve and enriched with a few live tracks) and the hotty hot live “Get’m’down” issued quite a long time ago (please check reviews of the two gems…>>>) It shoots off with “Cakewatchers”, and there’s no better way to start ! It’s a call to “funkateers all around the nation” to move their butt. With such a beat, he won’t have to ask twice ! Note and appreciate the references to Bootsy scattered about the track. “Fred” is introduced by the guest and inspirer of the title track : Mr. Fred Wesley himself who calls out some members of the groups attributing them the status of funky people. Jewl raps into that tribute which can be described as a basic classic funk track. “Pump yo’ thumb” is sublimated by the horn section, responding to either Brainpower (a Dutch MC who collaborated with Nas, www.mcbrainpower.nl) Are Mc or Jewl . Very, very good tune ! The tone gets a bit quieter with the well-structured “Secret Juice”; Dodge’s deep & heavy bass is brilliant and has a kind of an aquatic effect. Here comes the time to make a first comment. The difference between this LP and the previous ones lies in the novelty of Jewl’s holding the spotlights (she used to do the background vocals). Hence the duality between Jewl’s traditional vocals and Are MC’s typical flow. In the same vein (labored bass & keyboards) “Jerky” is a highly dynamic tune with only Are Mc on lead vocals (unlike what I’ve just mentioned ! ;o) The beat is really elaborate, slightly off-beat : the effect given is particularly interesting and original. The ragga dancehall reminiscent of “Turn it up”, starts with Are Mc’s rap and once again features Brainpower. Then Jewl gets into it before the horns, the bass and the much heavier breaks come into place. Melodious and heavy funk with P-funk breaks, all quite appropriate. “Shake the cake” with second Fred Wesley’s featuring, sounds like a big jam session. Hell, it sounds alright ! A noticeable fact : for once the whole group sings altogether : what a nice choir !
“Magic touch”, a still mid-tempo song which doesn’t stand out from the rest (I’m gettin’ hard to please I must confess but this group is on top so we always ask for the best from them ;o). It’s not bad though… Dice’s rhythmic guitar shows the way on “Gimme the funk” : does this slogan suit you ? It differs from the previous songs. Huge presence of the bass, the keyboards (Brother Jay recently gone beneath other skies) drums & horns. It’s kicking and we want some more ! I feel the same way with “Hot’n funky (Fast Jam)” (as the title speaks for itself, I won’t even try to describe it further!) was recorded live which is an exercise where they have full dimension (Report of their Live in Coutances >>>). This long track presents every member of the band and it’s a real good idea ;o)) Everyone is marvelous but I personally like to mention the performance of Dodge, Captain Hurk on Drums or Miguel on sax (sadly he left the band recently too…). All the heavy magic funk of the band is here !!!! “We won’t give it up” enjoys a more mixed sound (not pure funk style), and sounds more like soul music, more mellow in a kinda way…Additionally the use of scratches reminds me of what Five Point Plan is able to do. Jewl’s voice has an “echo” effect which is quite tasty. The Soprano Sax solo provided by Meatball is def ! That’s really cool to close the album with such an original & quality song! 54 minutes of true-blue funk ! In the continuity of what they have demonstrated on preceding albums ! That confirms their position in the winning trio of the best European Funk groups including Jaguar & Poets of Rhythm (I willingly put aside our national artists): 3 names, 3 brilliant styles !!!
Don't miss them !!! They'll have 2 dates in France (for the moment)
in February 13th : Le New Morning-Paris
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