Connie Price & Keystones - Wildflowers (CD)

All Music Guide

Those seeking an unironic return to the classic days of jazz and funk, played by a group of live musicians who swing and churn with the best of the oldschool need look no further than this album by Los Angeles based Connie Price The Keystones. Produced (in the traditional sense) by Dan Ubick for Stones Throw's equally oldfashioned offshoot, Now Again, Ubick assembled almost 30 highly skilled musicians from contemporary funk units Antibalas, Poets of Rhythm, The Soul Destroyers as well as the highly popular DapKings, proving that this is a growing scene in the best sense of the word, where musicians still jam together and follow the groove (and work) wherever it may lead. Band leader and drummer Connie Price leads this gang of players through a score of horn filled, groove heavy original that easily sound like they could have been laid to tape 50 years ago, with Price's jazz infused boombap offering a contemporary swing gleaned from hiphop as well as classic soul. Muted horn riffs fuse... with loose jazz guitar and an ass swaying drum break on "Tall Day Grass" that was made for smoking filterless cigarettes on the front porch while opener "Sticks Stones" incorporates a reggae tinted groove, with dub worthy bass, ska horn punches and vibraphone hits that chime through the low end swell. The title track and lead single offers one of the only vocals, with a lead vox by vintage singer Lester Abrams who sounds like Curtis Mayfield's long lost halfbrother. The last time young men made music your parents would like, it resulted in the swing dance revival. Here's hoping this dirtier time in musical history brings with it all of the nasty funk that accompanied the first time around. - Joshua Glazer, All Music Guide Read more Less