Made for Pleasure

FunkinGroovin

Reviewed by Julie Powers

The band FunkinGroovin claims that they’re the Northwest’s premier burned-out over-the-hill old rock & roller’s really original Blues Band with sunglasses. Well, if they’re burned out and over the hill, I’ll eat my dancin’ shoes. Well, not really….once you hit 40-something, the black stilettos go and are replaced by high-top tennis shoes. Regardless of what shoes you’re wearing, your feet will move to the funk and the groove of FunkinGroovin’s new CD, “Made for Pleasure.”

Now, as some of you remember, their last CD, “Easy To Look At, But So Hard To Get Along With,” sported a scantily clad blonde draped over a white bear rug. (I often wondered who would get to the band first, the animal activists or the feminist coalition.) But, hey, the music was great and the CD cover didn’t hurt the sales any. So this time, the guys decided to tone down the cover with a pair of bright, shiny ruby red lips (who, I’m not sure, but I think belong to Kelsie Love). At least, that’s what I understand.

FunkinGroovin does it again with their newest 12-song all original CD. One pleasant surprise was the addition of Washington Blues Society’s “Entertainer of the Year,” and “Horn Player of the Year,” Randy Oxford. Randy, who plays trombone on several tracks, adds an element of sophistication and harmonic interest to the CD. Regular members include, Al Earick on guitar and vocals, Scott “Skye” Mitchell, harmonica and vocals, Jim Cree, drums & vocals, and Charlie Valentine, bass and vocals.

Track one, “Lips,” is a funky, soulful tune with a hard-driving groove. “Well, you burnt up my toast and drank my whisky, poisoned my cat, and kicked my dog… but the one thing I know I’ll always treasure… those lips, lips made for pleasure.” (Not sure if there are any lips worth putting up with burnt toast.) Track four, “Two Brother’s Blues” is a nice easy medium shuffle with tight harmonies and harmonica lead. The tune is well placed and a good variation, as it follows three tracks of heavy funk grooves. Probably my favorite track is “Close to You.” It is reminiscent of the old, slow, sultry 70s funk that just made you want to get up and shake it. But, not quite as hard as you used to… Another excellent track is, “These Blues” – a Texas-style shuffle with searing guitar solo by Al Earick, and a great back beat that compliments the union between the bass and drums. I will leave the other tracks for the listener to critique and enjoy, and hopefully place at the top of their CD collection.

“Made for Pleasure,” by FunkinGroovin IS a pleasure to listen to (and if you’re still able to get around on those black high-heeled stilettos) dance to as well. I highly recommend this CD; and, especially to all the northwest funk aficionados who just want to get out and shake it – go see the band! They’re excellent live too.