The hybrid of jazz and funk is arguably the core of some of the best hip-hop music in history. Historically one can't deny the influence on "boogaloo," which also incorporated some Latin and tropical styles. It leads to a lot of different styles, all of them great, and one band that successfully continues the boogaloo spirit is a band called The Brooklyn Boogaloo Blowout.
Who Burnt The Bacon? could be a question asked if you were to play this before breakfast and you found yourself dancing on the streets too long. The majority of the album is tightly played instrumentals, whether it's an eerily slow take of Bobbie Gentry's "Ode To Billie Joe", Roland Kirk's "Fallout", or "Let's Never Break Up", written by BBB bassist and band leader Tim Luntzel. "Day And Night" features the jazzy vocals of El Madmo, two women who curiously sound exactly like Norah Jones and Daru Oda. For the boogaloo that needs to be released, you can listen to "Rumpty Dumpty (Parts 1 & 2)" and a fantastic cover of Bernard Purdie's "Soul Drums", with drums played by Tony Mason. The rest of the band play with the execution of well seasoned musicians, and if they're not, they are very much on their way.
One tends to want to dance to this while listening, which may look a bit foolish while waiting in crosstown traffic. You might also move the dancing into a nightclub or venue of choice, which may be the best way to consume this brew of Boogaloo. Fans and collectors of the funk will be happy to know this album was recorded by Gabriel Roth in his Daptone Studios, so if you love the records on his label, you'll be pleased with this one too.
John Book