Music review: Brian Culbertson – 鈥楩UNK!鈥�
Brian Culbertson is on a mission to bring back the funk on his latest studio album.
Just like his 2008 release, 鈥淏ring Back the Funk,鈥� the talented keyboard player, composer, and multi-instrumentalist swaps out his signature contemporary jazz stylings for a throwback funk explosion.
The opening track gets straight to the point with its preparation to get ready for this funk by announcing,
鈥淓verybody listen up/Time to put your ear to this groove.鈥�
鈥淭he Call鈥� follows the party theme by declaring that the celebration will continue until they shut us down. The track reflects the band鈥檚 commitment to delivering a set of tracks solely intended to inspire a dance riot of epic proportions.
If you鈥檙e not ready to receive the slick, infectious grooves that Culbertson is laying down, you certainly will by the close of the album.
鈥淔unk!鈥� serves as Culbertson鈥檚 tribute to the musical legacies of Prince and Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire. Both artists were a big influence on Culbertson鈥檚 career and tracks like 鈥淏een Around the World,鈥� 鈥淭ake It Up,鈥� 鈥淟et鈥檚 Take a Ride鈥� and 鈥淲e Got What You Want鈥� are key ingredients in Culbertson鈥檚 funkalicious stew that carriers an old-school vibe.
鈥淔unk!鈥� also features a stylish cover of the Wild Cherry 1976 classic 鈥淧lay That Funky Music鈥� and a fly version of Marvin Gaye鈥檚 鈥淕ot to Give it Up鈥� that blends elements of jazz, dance and funk.
鈥淭o Be Continued鈥︹�� closes out the celebration with Culbertson graciously thanking listeners for stopping by the funk neighborhood with an open invitation for a return visit.
Accompanied by the same stellar band featured on the new album, Culbertson brings his funk show to Pittsburgh on October 25, playing two shows at the Manchester Craftsmen鈥檚 Guild. Don鈥檛 miss this opportunity to shake your groove thing and wave your hands in the air like you just don鈥檛 care.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.