Dumpstaphunk is a funk-fusion band from New Orleans, Louisiana, formed in 2003 and now comprising Ivan Neville (vocals, keyboards), Ian Neville (guitar), Tony Hall (bass, guitar, vocals), Nick Daniels (bass, vocals), Alex Wasily (trombone), Ryan Nyther (trumpet) and Deven Trusclair (drums). The band have a new album released this month called ‘Where Do We Go From Here’, their first full-length record in seven years.
The album opens with a blistering rendition of ` United Nations Stomp` a cover of Buddy Miles’s 1973 blues anthem. It`s a wonderfully upbeat updated version with the addictive chorus of “everybody clap your hands, everybody stomp your feet, everybody move around, everybody sing with me, everybody take a chance, join together with whom you meet, everybody get on down, listen to the rhythm of the funky beat”. At around the halfway point Marcus King joins the band and delivers a scorching guitar solo worthy of Jimi Hendrix. A storming introduction to this release. There`s no let up as `Make It After All` continues the funky vibe with some throaty vocals relaying a confident message of accomplishing what you set out to do despite all obstacles. There were some delightful thumping bass, keys, brass, drums, and vocal harmonies as if all and sundry got to demonstrate what wonderful musicians they are.
`Backwash` had that chugging texture and again we enjoyed all that the individual group members could throw our way, a number to just sit back, relax and allow to flow over and around you. We have an almost anthemic piece with `Let`s Get At It` a cover of the Gerald Tillman or Professor Shorthair (to some) written rare recording from his band Blackmale or as the track notes Blackmail in 1975. It has inspiring vocals and complementary harmonies. I can imagine raised fists and people shouting out the title given a live situation.
Title track `Where Do We Go From Here` was released as a single last year to commemorate the 15th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, earning praise from the New York Times for its “slinky funk backbeat” and “gospel determination”. To me, `Itchy Boo` had that sort of understated funky sense of James Brown`s backing band the J.B.`s. great musicians doing what they do.
A rolling drum introduces us to `In Time` with wah wah type guitar chords and some cracking brass interspersed. There were hypnotic key tinges on route and vocals with backing added at just the right time to keep us on track. A quite mesmerising offering. A superb revision on Sly and the Family Stone`s 1973 release. We had a more laid back workout with `Do You` which ebbed and flowed but kept on asking us that rhetorical question of Do You?
`Dumpstamental` has a marvellous driving funky groove. It`s a number that`s not easy to sit still and listen to but will have you tapping out drumbeats, finger flicking as if you are playing trumpet and trombone and playing air bass if there is such a thing. It could have been the lead into any rock song as `Sounds` cracked the volume up to eleven. A real funky / metal crossover of a track that had me in mind of the brilliant Living Colour. Superb stuff.
The album closes with `Justice 2020 addressing the ongoing police brutality of today. The band released this as a single on the eve of the presidential election. It features Los Angeles hip hop artist Chali 2na and Trombone Shorty (Troy Andrews) and became an unofficial anthem of the social justice movement. This is an updated version of the previous single “Justice,” which was originally released amidst the 2016 presidential election.
‘Where Do We Go From Here’ seems to blend the best of retro and modern funk with some touches of gospel, rhythm and blues and elements of rock to deliver an upbeat, energetic, and highly danceable style or genre of music. George Clinton and Parliament once demanded “We want the funk”. Well, George, Dumpstaphunk will deliver what you want in spades.
Rating 9/10
