The Funk Is On

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On their third Salsoul album, The Funk Is On, Philly soul band Instant Funk shows an acute pop music sensibility. But funk fans need not worry, this album lives up to its title; the band still funks. The title track single, written by Brass Construction's Randy Muller, is pure, unadulterated funk. The same could be said for the gritty "You Want My Love." The second single, "Everybody," has a serious bounce groove along the lines of Zapp's "More Bounce to the Ounce" or Vaughn Mason's "Bounce, Skate, Rock, Roll." The Larry Levan 12" extended remix clocked in at 8:47 and features Jack Faith's dynamic arrangement and James Carmichael's arousing guttural groans towards the track's climax. The funny, plucky "Funk-n-Roll" has yodels. The snappy "It's Cool" is a skater's favorite and shows off some deft guitar and bass. The third single was the sweet, simmering ballad "What Can I Do for You" that should have given the band its first hit ballad. Producer Bunny Sigler shows the band's lighter side on the melodic, swing jazz-flavored "Can You See Where I'm Coming From" and the upbeat "You're Not Getting Older." The Funk Is On (reissued on CD in the spring of 1999 by U.K. label Charly) gives Instant Funk fans what they want and a little bit more.

© Ed Hogan /TiVo