Parlor Greens - Emeralds (Colemine) [Funk]

Funk never died. With a few exceptions it, just got poorly replicated - losing its potency as the decades progressed, rather like a fax-machine on a big job with its low ink light flashing. I guess it also got assimilated into other genres - electronic dance music and nu-jazz spring to mind, but although the tracks kept the funk flame burning the origins were largely obscured. But for all the sixties and seventies obsessives and the golden age of black music curious all is not lost, Parlor Greens are keeping it very real and are on a mission to funk up our phone gazing world; at least people can watch a quick Youtube video on how to do the funky chicken before the concert starts. So dust off your dancing tunes and say hello to Tim Carman, Jimmy James and Adam Scone.

Their new single "Emeralds" is the title track from their forthcoming album and it's a humdinger swinger that builds in intensity like that pre-gig pinger you dropped in the venue queue. The boys ease us into the track, Scone and James laying down some soft refrains as Carman stretches out his arms on the drums, then before you know it they're off into a tight, less is more, insistent groove to entice the wallflowers onto the dance floor - you should go too.

Be quick though these guys don't hang about and it's not long before Scone starts to stretch out on his organ, adding a free flowing vibe to the more disciplined drums and choppy, focussed guitar. Nicely warmed up the guys take a quick mid-track breather and then the fun really starts; the tempo ups a notch or two, and its time for James to show off his guitar prowess - the track spiralling off into swirling jazz funk territory, before rather too quickly, even a little rudely, doing a quick 7" fade out into unwelcome silence - this is the real vintage funk experience after all.

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Playlist Companion

Find Parlor Greens in the Slow Grooves Playlist.