PORTERHOUSE QUINTET
Thumbs Up, Little Buddy (Lauan Records)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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When a funk/jazz/jam band gets compared to the JBs, Headhunters and Meters and opens for acts like Maceo Parker and Parliment/Funkadelic, you can just about bet they've got it going on. When you're done listening to Thumbs Up, Little Buddy, you'll understand exactly why.

There are a lot of bands out there that take at least a very good shot at getting funky, but damned few that actually achieve the funk. I mean that deep groove that sucks you in and moves you around, that's at least as primal as it is smart, and vice versa. Joey Porter and his partners achieve the funk, and transmit it in that all encompassing mind and body way that is the mark of masters.

A big part of the reason is that Joey Porter writes his music the way the gods of funk intended, bottom up. He starts with a drum groove, folds in a bass line, and only when that physical anchor is firmly set does he layer on keys, brass and reeds for the melodic hook and improvisational interplay that makes up the mental part of the equation. Body first. Always. That's the way of the funk, and that's the way he writes 'em (uh-huh, uh-huh....).

Oh yeah, and no guitars. Which means a greatly reduced threat of mindless wankery, always a danger when you're a band playing the jam band circuit. Cowboys play guitars, for crissake. This is a funk band. Drums, bass, keys, brass and reeds. Pure. Good. Funky.

This, my friends, is the shit. Thumbs up, indeed, Joey.

Track List:

Thumbs Up Little Buddy * Blanket Party * Marination * Juicy * One Of Those Moods * Steak Sauce Part 1 (Bring On The Sauce) * Temporary Insanity * Charlotte Russe * Neopolitan

© 2001 - Shaun Dale