Funkmasters @ Liquid Room
prove that the tenets of funk are still a mighty creed to stick by
| 11 May 2007
Supergroups don't come much more super than the Funkmasters. Powered by legendary sticksmen, John 'Jabo' Starks and Clyde 'Funky Drummer' Stubblefield and featuring the unimpeachable skills of trombonist Fred Wesley and keyboardist Bernie Worrell, it's a line-up that would leave any soul and funk afficionado foaming at the mouth in anticipation. Making their Scottish debut (in this incarnation anyway) at Triptych, these R&B giants - alumni of both the JB's and Parliament/Funkadelic - prove that while the golden age of funk may be long gone, its tenets are still a mighty creed to stick by.
During a set lasting well over an hour, the band veer from straight down the line ass-shakers to freaky space-jazz. There's the odd dodgy moment. A medley of James Brown classics is well-meaning but only serves to highlight the still-gnawing absence of the great man, while a version of Mustang Sally is worthy but superfluous. All quibbles are forgotten, however, when the band launch into Funky Good Time and House Party. Raw soul power without an ounce of fat, you get the feeling JB would approve. [Duncan Forgan]
During a set lasting well over an hour, the band veer from straight down the line ass-shakers to freaky space-jazz. There's the odd dodgy moment. A medley of James Brown classics is well-meaning but only serves to highlight the still-gnawing absence of the great man, while a version of Mustang Sally is worthy but superfluous. All quibbles are forgotten, however, when the band launch into Funky Good Time and House Party. Raw soul power without an ounce of fat, you get the feeling JB would approve. [Duncan Forgan]