Plunky – Drive It
Plunky, who was once a session player for the Cosby show, has just dropped his 25th cd, now if the other 24 Are as tight as this one, then I need to drop some dollars and get the others. “Drive it” is a virtually a jazz/funkfest and I haven’t heard a cd this tight since David Sanborn’s “Voyeurs” album back in 1980/81. This cd is full of jams – even the slow jams are funky. Plunky just isn’t by himself, he also has family members helping to keep the jazz/funk alive.
“Drive It” starts out this cd and the vibe just keeps going all through the cd. Tonya Lazenby-Jackson lends her dynamic vocals to the song “Gotta Keep Moving” and the party song “Every Way But Loose”, and Plunky plays with an ease that is comfortable with the groove. “More Than Meets The Eye” (see video below) is a mid-tempo groove and Plunky has his own style, but I felt a hint of George Howard in this song.
Plunky slows it down with “Where There Is Love” which has a nice laid-back groove, and plays with pure soul. The Party starts up again with “A Swing In Everything”, and also showcases his vocals, and if your in Virginia that means your very close to D.C. and yes you have to embrace the Go-Go sound, not heard that much in jazz, Plunky pulls it off with “Life-Your Full Of It” and “Funk In Full Effect”. If you want to be on the one with the funk you need Plunky’s “Synchrofunkinicity”.
The groove continues with “Line Dancers” and the groove is tight with this song, and D.J. Williams breaks it down with a smooth gliding guitar solo. “My Favorite Place” another mid-tempo groove where Plunky play with Laid-back smoothness with leads to “Feel Free” where Plunky and Tonya trade off with this rockin/soul track, which has a positive message in the lyrics. “Drop-African Rhythms Mix” is the remix from the song from Plunkys Last cd.
“Toy Box” to me is a ode to Roy Ayers (Remember ‘Poo Poo La la’?). As you listen to this song, it’s sounds like something Roy would do, although Plunky has that Roy sounding voice on this track. As you listen to the lyrics, you can make your own assumption of what he is talking about. This song takes the cd to another level.
I like the flavor that Plunky has on this cd, Old school, Go-Go, funk and Jazz all woven into one awesome cd. This cd is not to be missed. I can put this cd on anytime – anywhere and get a “who dat playing”?
To hear more go to www.plunkyone.com and www.cdbaby.com
Marv D
The Urban Music Scene
Listen to a sample of “More Than Meets The Eye” on our New Voices of Today page by clicking here!