Parlor Greens
Emeralds
***and1/2 out of *****
The sophomore release from Parlor Greens, titled Emeralds, is more instrumental funky goodness on Colemine Records. The trio of Adam Scone - Organ, Jimmy James - Guitar, and Tim Carmen - Drums worked with producer Leroi Conroy to deliver a collection of eleven tracks that shake and shimmy with funky freshness.
Harkening back to the glory days of organ trio R&B, Parlor Greens are not reinventing the wheel, just delivering sweet instrumental sounds. The opening "Eat Your Greens" and the pumped up "Red Dog" are both dynamite, upbeat and grooving, straight out of the 1962 Stax era of recording. The trio lock in and let the music flow as the energy stays high for the stuttering "Mustard Sauce" which ends with an empathic "Woo!" from the band.
In general, the trio works better when the tempo is kicked up a notch. The screeching guitar and bubbling organ highlight the top notch "Lion's Mane" while the skittering drumming of "Francisco Smack" is a showcase for Carmen's fluid percussion skills.
The more reserved, soulful outings like the slow burning "Drop Top" and "Letter To Brother Ben" are fine, just not very memorable. The passionate, contemplative album closer "Queen of My Heart" takes on added weight as it was a tribute to James' mother who is sampled on the touching effort.
A funky tune like "Parlor Change" seems custom made to be sampled for hip hop, while the title track seems perfect for some soulful guest vocalist to ride along with. The group's funky, strutting cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" is a joy to listen to as the group proves they can bring different genres into their style of play.
The jazzy, funky, soulful, good times delivered consistently by Parlor Greens throughout Emeralds, solidifies the trio as a funky act to follow
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