Rating: NNN
Late last year, local funk seven-piece KC Roberts & the Live Revolution gave their loyal Toronto fan base a generous double-CD helping of their unique funk-rock-hip-hop-jazz blend. (Actually it was made possible by crowdfunding, so it’s as much a gift from fans to band.)
KCLR believers will appreciate so much funky goodness (over two hours), but a tighter album would garner more new ones. Standout tracks like the jubilant, record-scratching Hanging From A Jet Plane Wheel, featuring D-Sisive, get lost among songs that don’t work quite so well – like Fire Burning, which evokes bad turn-of-the-millennium punk rock.
The group really does try everything here – nodding at drum ‘n’ bass on Get Back To The Middle and going electronic on Daisy D. These aren’t their strongest tunes, but the experimentation is impressively ballsy.
The core members’ – and 40(!) guests’ – musicianship brings the album to life, but ultimately it begs to be heard live: Roberts does a guitar solo in the countrified The Grip that I, at least, need to see to believe.
Top track: Hanging From A Jet Plane Wheel
KC Roberts & the Live Revolution play the Mod Club on Friday (April 25).