Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Gov’t Majik
Reality (It Hits You…)
ShineNOLA Records
The self described “Dirty South Afro-Beat Arkestra” from New Orleans is the latest funk incarnation from Bru Bruser, formerly of the mighty Hi-Life Players. This latest group bears a lot of similarities to Brooklyn Afro-pop revivalists Antibalas, whose internet-only EP inspired the band’s name, but Gov’t Majik holds a deeper soul groove to it, part Dr. Dre G-funk and brass band instance. This is not your average funk workout, but a compendium of music that pulls from African soul like Ali Farka Toure and Fela as much as it does from old Funkadelic records without sounding like a tired rehash. Numbers like “Alliens” glide over a high-life guitar lilt where “Hyde and Seek” showcases late Miles Davis jazz meeting neo-soul on an astral dance floor. It is subtle nuanced yet undeniably funky music with a sophistication and rawness you rarely find.
Essential tracks: Gov’t Agitator, Alliens, Welcome to the Undaground (Ballin…)
Recommended if you like: Fela, P-Funk All-stars, shaking your hips out of socket
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