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Global Funk Council's debut album, Keep On Pushin', is one bad-ass funk album. Starting the album off strong is "Groovebag," a song which is exactly that: a very funky instrumental tune that leaves you thinking that this is what the rest of the album will be like. Wrong. Keep On Pushin' is an eclectic mix of basic funk with elements of jazz, rock, pop and even hip-hop. On track 4, "Take Your Reality Pills," we even get to hear some rapping, courtesy of MC Anthony Smith.
There are no horn blowers in the band, but with a wide array of special guests, including Hollis Gentry on tenor sax and Bill Caballero on trumpet, the brass is represented strongly. Global Funk Council is a relatively new band, but all the players are veterans of the live music scene: Anthony Smith (keyboards) from Giant People; Eric Bolivar (drums), who has been touring with Karl Denson for the last year and a half or so; Steve Haney, percussionist from groove legends the Greyboy Allstars; and Jonathan Stoyanoff (bass) from Johnny A.
This album is a funk standard. There isn't really anything new here, just the funk brought forth by players who know it well. There is some beautiful interplay between guitar and horns, especially on "Trousers For John." Anthony Smith is quite an accomplished pianist, really showing his chops when it comes to soloing and even displaying his prowess on the classical piano on "The Grass Right Here," where he also shows off his singing skills. The bass and drums are locked into each other and always on point. This is smooth funk, played to perfection. If you're into the funk, this album is textbook; get out there and buy it. From what I hear these guys put on a killer show, check 'em out when they come to a town near you.
Sam Katz
JamBase | Beantown
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