Nils Landgren Funk Unit – Raw
It is slick, it is funky, it is intoxicatingly grand, it is the Nils Landgren Funk Unit 30th anniversary celebration. They are so hot that they redefine cool and are sensational to boot. The Funk crew creates sound that is moored in the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, they trombone it, they drum it, they sing it and all together create one of the happiest funkiest sounds I have heard for years.
The Funk Unit music is reminiscent of the Jazz Crusaders, Average White Band, Joe Sample’s various musical escapades, some of Maceo Parker’s post JBs work, Tom Scott and the LA express, Trouble Funk and in places even Rare Earth, all wrapped up in an original zesty, lightness, creativity and talent that leaves no one wanting nor missing Raw funk.
Generating the oh so fine booty shaking noises are Nils Landgren (trombone, vocals), Magnum Coltrane Price (bass, vocals), Andy Pfeiler (guitar, vocals), Jonas Wall (tenor saxophone, backing vocals), Petter Bergander (keyboards, backing vocals) and Robert Ikiz (drums, backing vocals).
A dozen tracks are packed in to a shortish 45 minutes that I suspect will be on repeat play in many a homes, cars and on any number of portable devices. The 44.1/16 recording sounds very good, meaty, warmish with fast bass and clear sound stage that extends beyond the speakers in all directions.
Raw is one of the sweetest escapes from all the politics and sports that have been unleashed on us as part of a conspiracy to ruin moods during the doldrums of a strange cloudy summer. Get yourself all funked up with one of the coolest hottest albums of the summer!
Reuben Klein