James Black
The Funky Sides of James Black
*** out of *****
The newest entry into the excellent Tipitina's Record Club, is this yellow vinyl collection of music from New Orleans based drummer James Black. The record is split between his sideman work on side A and a few tracks from his unreleased solo album on the B side.
Having an up and down career, which saw him do time in Angola prison and struggle with depression, while also touring with modern jazz giants (Cannonball Adderly, Ellis Marsalis), Black's path was winding. One thing that always stood out though was his incredible drumming style. The skittering beats, fills and flair he presented behind the kit still perk up the ears decades later.
The Funky Sides of James Black starts and ends the excellent A side with two of Black's most funky collaborations with Mary Jane Hopper. "I Got Reasons" is such a groove, it could roll on forever and Black's drums are a the heart of it. The closer "I Got What You Need" is propelled by Black's drums as the upbeat playing drives, pushes and pulls the funk in dynamite fashion, and both tracks are super slices of 70's funk.
In between are a few other 70' soul/funk numbers that feel like they have been sampled thousands of times, mostly for Black's drumming. Chuck Carbo and The Soul Finders "Can I Be Your Squeeze?" is a get down for the ages, "Pony Express Pt. 1 & 2" by Walter Washington & The Soul Powers is an easy grooving jam elevated by Black's drums, and "The Next Ball Game" from Inell Young would be a normal soul tune, but Black's drums run insanely behind the ballad. Black worked with Eddie Bo often and "The Hook and Sling Part 1" is a fantastic sampling of their soulfully funky work that is a killer instrumental tune.
The B side is different, and not as exciting. It showcases Black's attempt at crafting a solo record that was abandoned for unknown reasons, and it feels as if he was never truly comfortable in the role of band leader. Coming from various recording sessions in the late 70's and early 80's the tracks are interesting, but never feel completed.
Opener "Mist" is wobbly with horns, organs and funky yet ominous sounding drums. "Altitude" is a duet with Sister Mary that Black says he wrote as he dealt with the depths of his depression while "Mr. Gris Gris Man" takes the voodoo from his hometown and delivers affected vocals from Black, as well as his patented skittering drums. Black leans into his more jazzy inclinations with the closing "There's A Storm In The Gulf" which also finds him singing in a duet with female vocals, but it is the crisscrossing horn work that really shines here, ending the underwhelming B side on a positive note.
James Black never broke out as a band leader, but his supporting roles will never die as a whole other release could be made of his jazz playing. As it stands though, The Funky Sides of James Black is yet another cool as hell release from Tipitina's Record Club, long may they run.
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