Funkiphino – Rise Above

Rise Above, Funkiphino

Rise Above is the perfect original retro 1970s style funk/R&B album. An incredible accomplishment for a bunch of white folks from Boulder. Actually, considering the skill and talent of the people involved, maybe it’s not a big surprise after all. To help achieve that retro sound, the band used no sampling or digital keyboards, but relied on authentic vintage keyboards and synthesizers. Additionally, they brought in some ringer guests like Francis “Rocco” Prestia (bass) and Stephen “Doc” Kupka (sax), both of Tower of Power fame and Jennifer Batten (guitar), Nick Lane (trombone). They called in a few well known locals, too: Hazel Miller, Sethe Tucker (Soul School), Tony Price (Soul School) and Neil McIntyre (Yo, Flaco!). On top of all that talent they brought in Grammy award winning producer Matt Sandowski and collaborated with Tower of Power arranger Dave Eskridge on the horn and string arrangements. Wow! With all that and some really cool original material, they’ve put together an album that sounds like it came right out of the disco era. The vocals from Cathy Griffn and Jenn Butler sound like Chaka Kahn in her prime. The only down side is that they didn’t push the envelope to take things to another level, but with the outstanding quality of what they did do, who cares?
Buy This CD if you like funk, soul, disco or R&B.
For more info please visit: www.Funkiphono.com