There is funk and there is FONK and this release is loaded with the latter, not to mention soul, Blues and groove. This is the Boneshakers 11th studio release and they seem to have added a new layer of heat and groove to their previous top quality Blues & Soul. New vocalist Jenny Langer (she joined in 2020) and guitar from Randy Jacobs (Was Not Was) are driving the music to be even steamier and sassier than before.
The core band of Langer, Jacobs and drummer Greg Bissonette are joined by an incredible array of guests including Boby Rush, Charley Musselwhite, Jon Gilutin, Coco Montoya, Lenny Castro, Don Was, the list goes on and on. Producer was John Wooler and there is more than a hint of Mike Zito about the overall package.
Langer has an incredible voice. Ranging from sultry and sweet to full-on vamp and even bordering on Tina Turner levels of raw power, she takes a song and makes it all her own. Jacobs is a massive presence throughout, whether it is his guitar playing – either laying down hot funk or tearing off into solos that just add layers to the steamy groove of the music – or his bass playing of dobro or even clavinet. Bissonette is a superb drummer, laying down complex rhythms and providing a wide platform for the band to work on.
There is so much variety to the music – from deep funk numbers like ‘They Say I’m Different’ or a soul Blues like ‘Evil No More’ (Charley Musselwhite on harmonica) or even the ultra-groove of ‘I Am The Cool’ (Don Was on upright bass and sax from David Garza and vocals from Randy Jacobs).
The whole album has the feel of something recorded with fun and a band-like togetherness, it oozes class from the first moments to the last.
