REVIEW: VARIOUS – TRU THOUGHTS FUNK

Various
Tru Thoughts Funk
Unfold

In a now unavailable BBC documentary about the history of funk and soul music, one drummer was given over to describing funk’s heavy emphasis on the first beat as a “dinosaur groove”, going on the mimic of the heavy tread of some terrible lizard. However, to describe Tru Thoughts Funk as “dinosaur” has little to do with the first beat (which is emphasised on every track to the point that it may as well be underlined and highlighted) it’s more to do with the overwhelming sense of revivalism each band on this compilation project. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Certainly, no-one can doubt the musical ability of any of these bands, they are fluent and entertaining. I suspect that seeing any of them live would be a thrilling prospect. The complaint that the music itself explores no new territory is one that perhaps is a little defunct, after all no-one expects historical re-enactment societies to suddenly start changing the outcomes of wars long-resolved. However, in the light of contemporaries the Heliocentrics or Madlib’s Yesterday’s New Quintet ensemble, it is hard not to wish for similar refractions and variations on now familiar themes.

As it stands the compilation offers some strong examples of the current UK funk scene. Quantic Soul Orchestra and Nostalgia 77 serve up prime demonstrations of form and structure. True, the music is warm-blooded enough, but the nagging question remains – “What’s new?” This is answered in some manner by exhibits such as the break in ‘It’s Real’ by the Hot 8 Brass Band, that demonstrates certain modernity in its execution – a rum-tum drum n bass flair that is understandably unheard of in the funk records of the 70’s. The problem remains, however, that these moments are fleeting – and with such contemporary live instrument innovators such as The Roots turning out more masterful stabs of grafting hip-hop back onto its predecessors, it begs whether this compilation offers enough by way of innovation to transcend its origins. The answer is largely “no”, but despite this it is hard to fault the Tru Thoughts collective. They are clearly passionate about what they do, and they do it well enough to present a thrilling curiosity. It may not break new ground, but then arguably that was never its intention. “Dinosaur groove” hits the nail on the head – extinct or not, it’s always going to prompt a child’s enthusiasm and an expert’s passion – neither should be discouraged.

Andrew Spragg

Filed under: Funk, Reviews, Soul by D.K.