Blackroots Unlimited – The Enfunkclopedia Of Jazz
LISTEN TO A SONG SAMPLE OF “GROOVIN’ FUNKIN’ CHILLIN”” FROM THE ENFUNKLOPEDIA OF JAZZ ALBUM!!
It amazes me how the media portrays Africa as a lost continent. Africans always wearing tribal warriors costumes, and playing bongos for some rites of passage. Well, times have changed and this jazz, yes, I said jazz group from Uganda, is putting it down! And I mean putting it down like no other jazz group. This cd has been in the car, home, & office continually since I received it and let me tell you: This is not a tribal cd. This is as smooth as jazz is going to get.
I would like to introduce you to Blackroots Unlimited from Uganda. Their newest project “The Enfunkclopedia Of Jazz” is every bit funky and they lay down a Latin and a Caribbean groove. Blackroots Unlimited is comprised of Pragmo N’saiga who plays keyboards, drums, and synths – whose influences are George Duke, Brian Culbertson, & Stevie Wonder; and Tshaka Mayanja who plays bass, whose influences are from Pino Palladino to Marcus Miller. Together they have put together a serious groove that plays prominently throughout this cd.
The Mid-tempo songs are “Mama Love (Is Funky)”, “Thoughts Of My Lady”, “Junju Lullaby”, “Brothers For Life”, “Hungry (for my honey’s cookin)”, “I’ll Remember You”, “Thank you Lord”, “Dr Funkenstien’s Concerto”, & “Smile of innocence”.
Now the funk starts here with “Groovin’ With Bernard”, “Organically Funky”, & “Groovinfunkinchillin”.
And to round out this magnificent cd is “Rio Sunrise”, “Miss Martinique”, & “Linga’latin jazz”.
I love the way the song selection is arranged. It’s patial, not everything is bunched together. It makes you want to wait & hear the next song.
You can find this cd at www.cdbaby.com and http://www.blackrootsunlimited.com
Marv D.
The Urban Music Scene