Funkblog 08-04-16
click on it to enlarge!
click on it to enlarge!
click on it to enlarge!
Thank you so much dear
FUNKBLOG for paying attention in this big way! I had to cut it in 3 pieces in order to post it here..
English:
“Saxify” by saxophonist Susanne Alt is without a doubt one of the better funk albums which came out lately. That’s why we wrote about the release before, too. The impressive list of participating musicians isn’t small and is probably part of making it a thumping funky album. The participation of so many un-/well-known musicians doesn’t always work, but here it worked out above average; excellent.
From the first track on, “Susie Saxophone” the tone has been set. A very infectious funky track with tempting raw vocals by Michael “Clip” Payne.
Followed by a 3:14 minutes version of “Saxify” where Fred Wesley plays on. This track comes back as last track (nr 12), but then as a sort of bonus version twice as long.
Back to track 3: “Wednesday Funk”. This is also spicy funky. Wesley is also playing on it but also Rodney “Skeet” Curtis, one of the hardest grooving bass players from P-Funk.
Also the 4th track “Open Up” is uptempo and contains very lovely soul vocals by Berenice van Leer. In general, the horn parts are very tight in each song. The whole album sounds very good and naturally the saxophone playing by Susanne stands out. This has to be praised as well.
Just at the 5th track, “You and me” the listener can recover his breath. Nice horn arrangements are
pleasant to the ear in this calmer track and Jamal Thomas’ soul vocals are sounding beautiful.
Track 6 has a balladesque character but also very soulful. Hier also Wesley and splendid demure guitar playing by Michael Hampton.
Track 7, “Throwback”, the speed goes up a little bit. Obviously it’s a tribute to (old) funk heroes like James Brown, Gap Band and Tower of Power. Fred Wesley doesn’t only play trombone but also accounts for the lead vocals. Fred has a great funk soul voice.
Track 8 is recorded with a great singer: Mavis Acquah. Remarkable is the fact that Hans Dulfer plays tenor on this track. Maybe he can inspire his daughter Candy to make a funky album like this as well…
Track 9 “Sugar Sweet” is calmer and a sort of ballad. For me, it’s the least capturing track of the whole album. But 11 out of 12 very good tracks on one album is properly outstanding.
Track 10 “Tudo Bem” is again deliciously funky with irrestistible bass groove by Curtis, yummie guitar playing by Bruno Speight and Fred Wesley on trombone.
On track 11 you’ll meet SaraLee Vos and E1 Ten (Gotcha!) on lead vocals. A deliciously vivacious track wwith also Wesley (who else), Hampton and Curtis.
As mentioned before, the album ends with a longer version of “Saxify” with Lorrèn Rettich as lead singer who possesses a gorgeous raw soul voice.
Overall, this is a real top album. Very funky, recorded amazingly, great musicians, excellent arrangements etc. So far, the album has been impressing funk lovers from here to Japan. Buy this album! I think “Saxify” is available well, as LP, CD and digitally!
on 11/04/2016
back to top
