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King Britt's new album, titled "Sylk 130 When the Funk Hits the Fan," is an adventurous and nostalgic recording that transports the listener back to the late '70s when disco and funk were the mainstream.
"Sylk 130" is a concept project showcasing the diversity of DJ, producer and label executive King Britt. "When the Funk Hits the Fan" is the first of a trilogy of recordings that will be a semi-autobiographical look back on this hip renaissance man's musical growth.
The record is a diverse mix of funk, soul, disco and hip-hop, representing King Britt's musical influences in the late '70s. The songs are fresh, yet capture many of the sounds of that era.
"When the Funk Hits the Fan" is a great album for anyone looking to incorporate vibrant grooves into his or her stagnant record collection.
King Britt was raised in Philadelphia by a mother who was a jazz junkie and a father who was heavily into funk and soul, but he began his musical journey with the likes of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.
As Britt evolved through the '80s and '90s, he found inspiration in an eclectic array of bands ranging from The Smiths to the hip-hop sounds of De La Soul.
Now he has managed to mesh all these influences into the fabric of one very soulful album.
From the funky bass-lines on tracks like "Jimmy Leans Back," to the rap sounds of "City," to the slow dissolution of "When the Funk Swings," there is a groove for everyone on this album. The song tracks are broken up with dialogue that conveys Britt's life and experiences to the modern ear.
"Sylk 130 When the Funk Hits the Fan" provides the soundtrack for soaking in the sounds of a classic era. It is admirable that musicians like King Britt find the inspiration to rehash polyester-and-bellbottom boogie and reinvigorate it at the same time.
Although King Britt is just starting to be recognized by a mass audience, he is not afraid to experiment and create music that focuses on his own experiences.
Records like this allow new generations to enjoy the eternal groove and invite the sounds of 20 years ago into the vacillating stream of pop culture.