STILL CAN'T SAY ENOUGH

The power-funk rhythm section drifts even more into R&B-funk land. And what a lineup! It's a virtual who's who of jazz-rock musicians!

A1. "Freeze It Up" (4:49) funky like an early Kool & The Gang song (or, later, a Brothers Johnson tune). Lots of musicians being used to fill space: especially the horns but also the clavinet, organ, synthesizers, multiple guitars, and others. As a matter of fact, the bass and drum lines are among the simplest and sparsest on the song. (8.75/10)

A2. "Love The Way You Make Me Feel" (5:06) a soul/R&B number that even includes vocals--here performed as a gospel music-like ensemble from Mtume, Cheryl Alexander, Tawatha Agee, and Lonnie Liston Smith's brother, Donald. It's not bad by any means, just not hit worthy (unless in a gospel music setting). (8.75/10)

A3. "Rise On" (6:12) trying to sound like the Mahavishnu Orchestra, or Santana, or Journey, I can see/hear the pattern of these guys getting stuck in their heads on motifs that they think probably should sound good (cuz they make such cool sense, mathematically), yet the melodies and group interactions sometimes just get stuck and overstay their welcome very quickly. The musicianship and sound engineering is never in question, it's just the like-ablitity factor that's lacking. (8.75/10)

A4. "Funky Row" (3:43) John Lee's rolling bass lines manage to start up the funk while organ, multiple rhythm guitars, multiple keys, and multiple horns lock it in. There's a Ohio Players/JB's/Kool & The Gang feel runnin' deep in this one. (8.875/10)

B1. "Talkin' Bout The Right One" (5:11) Back to the soul/R&B funk world with group vocals that sound like Maze, The Dells, Spinners, or Stylistics. John's funk-pluck bass notes aren't quite in the same league as Larry Graham, Verdine White, or Bootsy Collins. The vocals are nice--definitely hit-worthy--but maybe a few years ahead of what radio was ready for. Definitely a top three song. (9/10)

B2. "Strut 'N' Get Up" (4:38) yet another song that demonstrates John and Gerry's longing to be a part of the funk-R&B scene: everything here screams it out: the Billy Preston "Outta Space" clavinet, the funky fretless bass, the Average White Band horns and sax, the awesome motif shifts à la WAR and THE OHIO PLAYERS. A very impressive song. (Did Howard Shore steal this for the Saturday Night Live theme song or did John & Gerry steal from Howard? Most likely the latter as John & Gerry seem to really like "borrowing" themes, styles, and sounds from others.) Another top three song. (9.125/10)

B3. "Breakin'" (4:26) a more high-flyin' rocker despite the funky Disco-like drum play and free-floatin' fretless bass. The horns and keyboard synth solos are really tight and honed in--which I like--and the Disco elements are still being drowned in all of the fullness of funk-jazz and funk-R&B sound. There is a very strong feeling of the coming of the future CHIC sound here. Another very impressive song. My final top three song. (9/10)

B4. "Down The Way" (5:20) The Isleys! "Climbin' . . . Up the ladder." But then the over-sanitized "dirty" sax sound of a David Sanborn predecessor (often doubled up by another sax) comes in. (Is it Ernie Watts or Michael Brecker? Ahh! The two are taking turns!) How blessed are these two for the awesome funk foundation they have to inspire their performances!? (8.875/10)

B5. "Out The Box" (1:27) one more funk theme to put out there for the adoring funk-a-delics. (4.5/5)

Total Time: 39:32

B+/4.5 stars; a near-masterpiece of Jazz-Funk and an excellent display of Jazz-Rock Fusion musicianship and arrangements that any/every music lover could/might appreciate.