Elliot Levine – The Funk, The Whole Funk, And Nothing But The Funk

Elliot Levine
The Funk, The Whole Funk,
And Nothing But The Funk
(Elliot Levine – 2004)
by Sidney Bechet-Mandela
Elliot Levine’s “The Funk, The Whole Funk, And Nothing But The Funk” is all the funk you could want, but it’s much more. Say Yes is one of the slow ones, soulful and moving as the piano rolls along carrying the track into some fine guitar work by Kevin Powe. Tracks like Get Funky With It and Get Up With It are full of the life and energy that made Levine’s previous album “Smash” so fun. The A/C hit Urban Groove is a smooth jazz goodie, again highlighted by Levine’s sprightly keyboards.

The Sweet funk suite slows it down again while keeping that funky groove. This is a long one at 7:20 but you’ll enjoy every note. Yeah is more mid-tempo with a nice bit of melody work from saxman Pete Jordan sounding eerily like the late Art Porter. Having toured with the likes of Wilson Pickett and Heatwave (Always & Forever/Boogie Nights) and opened for Brian McKnight, Freddie Jackson, and McCoy Tyner, Elliot Levine has had plenty of experience to help him hone his craft, and allowing him to create this wonderful CD. Dig it.