- Compilation King's Universal Funk deliver their new album Mirrors. After stashing themself in the studio for a couple of years they had previously leaned towards the broken beats and stunted tunes but with this latet release the Nu / jazz influence shines through with Mirrors turning out sophisticated and smooth textured tunes. Obviously influenced by earlier appearances at the infamous London Jazz Cafe and the masters of the Nu Jazz movment, Jazzanova.
Mirrors takes a fresh approach offering tight beats and the Universal funk touch. Bleeding Scandinavian sound, the group get a hand from jazz vocalists Thulla on A smell of Tokyo with muted trumpet, rolling Jazzanova beat which is reminiscent of 4 hero and a hint of the Grapes. I'm in Heaven stabs in soft melodious organ chords which hangs for the remainder of the track, seeming to carry the head nodding bongos that tie in well, much love for the little flute stabs throughout. Greyhound spits out a quirky number with doubled up piano and trumpet and a freaky little shaking beat. The CD's direction takes a turn from a funky start with the first couple of tracks sticking with the Jazz / funk scoop then morphing into what should be more appropriately named Universal Jazz.
Title track Mirrors comes in with haunting pan pipes and a progressive bongo beat moving in it transforms into an up tempo tune with some more of the trademark organ stabs. Not as worthy a title track as I have heard but never the less a catchy tune. Sweeping in Stay Golden which in my view would of hit the title track mark with it's smooth production work and spoken lyrics from Shaun Walker taking the track further, a standout track with a fat bass lick. All is Well spawns the spoken work lyrics of Daniel Gray whom also features on Ursula Ruckers acclaimed Supa Sistar a chilled cool track riding on a Jazz tip. Influenced clearly by Jazzanova and the likes of St. Germain Universal Funk deliver if you are looking for Universal Jazz with a "wafer thin" bit of funk. Focusing on standout tunes and the production talent, undoubtabley there is more good things to come from this outfit.
TRACKLISTING
01 A Smell of Tokyo
02 I'm in Heaven
03 Jacobs Ladder
04 Greyhound
05 Mirrors
06 Stay Golden
07 The Day You Left Me
08 Fly Away
09 Twisted Forms
10 All is Well