funky st.

Rip It Up, Issue 171, 1 October 1991, Page 32

funky st.

ARETHA FRANKLIN What You See Is What You Sweat (Arista) Aretha cruises her way through some fine songs by some fine producers — Sly's 'Everyday People' (Narada), a duet with Luther on 'Doctor's Orders' and the title track written by Surface. My fave is funky 'Mary Goes Round' but probably Aretha's more at home with her own, old-fashioned ”¥OO Can't Take Me For Granted'. This album's formula Aretha and I like the formula, but maybe it's time her old-fashioned, unfunky side was explored. FIVE HEARTBEATS Original Movie Soundtrack (Virgin) This film by black actor/ director Robert Townsend has not received good reviews, but the soundtrack is an astonishingly soulful collection of new vocal group performances, some by the movie's "Hearbeats", a fictional 60s vocal group. The singers Billy Valentine and Demetrius Harvey are great on 'Nothing But Love' and 'Are You Ready For Me' respectively, challenging the ever soulful Dells (since 1953) on new tour de force 'A Heart Is A House for Love' and oldie 'Stay in My Corner'. Other cool tracks are by contemporary USA vocal groups U.S.Male, Flash & the Ebony Sparks that don't pale beside the name acts, Patti Labelle and After 7. This year's SOUL surprise. GLADYS KNIGHT Good Woman (MCA) Just like the Dells (and Four Tops), Gladys started her career in 1953 with "the Pips". Though never as highly-rated as the Aretha, as a soulful vocalist Gladys can take any cliche and make you believe it might be the eleventh commandment. This year's cliche made commandment is "You can't live with 'em, You can't live without 'em." A great track, as is 'Meet Me in the Middle' and her duet 'Give Me A Chance' with David Peaston. 'Superwoman' brings together Gladys, Dionne Warwick and Patti Labelle. Somehow Gladys has found a mid-tempo groove that's truer to herself than Aretha's endless funk parade and at the same time Gladys can choose be more progressive in terms of "beats". As always, file Gladys under "Cool Soul."

JAMES BROWN Love Over-Due (Scotti Bros) The Godfather promised us a brand new funk when he got out of jail, but

there's no sign of it here. When James talks about something new he usually delivers. There's good funk on 'Dance to the Funk' and 'Move On' but the only "new" groove is a Latin workout on the final track 'lt's Time to Love'. This album is a "Son of Gravity" without the manic fury, but for my ears it's still more rewarding than his last studio album, the minimalist I'm Real with fitness freaks Full Force. 8.8. KING Live at the Apollo (GRP) Every few years B.B.King releases a new live album, everyone's different, this one's with Gene Harris and the Phillip Morris Super Band, from the 1990 world tour (played Sydney) with King and Ray Charles. King starts with U2's “When Love Comes to Town' with a curious big band horn arrangement. It is the massive bigband horn section (4 trumpets including James Morrison, 4 trombones, 5 sax) that makes this album different to regular live 8.8. King. The all-star band includes Harris (piano), Kenny Burrell (guitar), Harold Jones (drums) and Ray Brown (bass). This awesome line-up play an older selection of his material, than King would usually perform. A great jazz band is a suitable context for a great singer such as King who has always extended himself beyond the narrow "blues" and "guitar hero" genres. File: live and horny. MURRAY CAMMICK