George Porter Jr. and Runnin' Pardners
Porter's Pocket
*** out of *****
The newest offering from the legendary George Porter Jr. and Runnin' Pardners is a breezy nine song album of instrumentals that bump and shimmy. Porter's Pocket feels easy and natural, as if the band just started jamming and hit record.
The album was produced by Porter and Joe Kalb and while it is clearly Porters show (it is his face on the album cover) his Runnin' Pardners of Chris Adkins (guitar), Terrence Houston (drums), Michael Lemmler (keys), have been with him for many years now and on this record they deserve just as high of a billing as Porter. They are dynamic, expanding his sound beyond the swampy funk he is known for.
Opening with "Tito's Dumpling Machine" the easy organ from Lemmler, and funky beats lead to a great drum solo from Houston. "Proteins & Carbohydrates" takes on a relaxed, more lounge based approach with slinky guitar from Adkins while "Sauce on the Side" moves the groups sound into a spacey reggae vibe that is well earned.
"Buttermilk" keeps the food based titles flowing, grooving along with a great guitar solo. The funk really gets the focus on a trio of tunes. "Don Julio Rides Again" is a fast paced funky workout, "See Me? See Me? See Me?" gets inspiration from Sly Stone's upbeat positive vibes, and "Gang In Alamosa" dips into 70's soul with Porter's bass pushing the tune along.
The album wraps with the most drawn out offering "Latenighter" as the quartet jam out pushing towards the six minute mark as the easy going yet psychedelic tune trips out with ease, closing a solid album. George Porter Jr. and Runnin' Pardners, Porter's Pocket is right in the bands wheelhouse, never pushing too hard, breaking new ground or trying anything that would rock the boat, as they merrily funk along.
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