lyrikalbj's Full Review: Allaboutthefunk [Limited] by The Brand New Heavies
The Brand New Heavies are one of the pioneers of the 90’s acid jazz movement and have spent more than a decade shuffling soulful female vocalists to accompany their disco, funk, hip hop grooves. From N’Dea Davenport to Siedah Garrett and Carleen Anderson the Heavies morphed their funky style constantly about without stepping too far outside of their acid jazz roots. On their 2004 release, Allaboutthefunk, in steps UK newcomer Nicole Russo. With a powerful voice somewhere between a Jill Scott and a tamed Nikka Costa, Nicole manages to take the Heavies’ sound to a funky level that they’ve always looked for. As if she was married to a wah-wah guitar in a former life, Nicole’s voice laces each funky track brilliantly in a way Heavies fans will drool over!
The dynamic sound Nicole brings is apparent early on. The track “Boogie” starts the funk festival as you can tell that Nicoles voice harmonizes much like Siedah Garrett did yet by itself, she carries a song to new soulful levels as well. She compliments her bandmates and doesn’t overpower.
On “Need Some More”, Nicole flexes her vocals more towards a funky Joss Stone level. So sexy but careful to not overpower the song, the whole effort is most welcome amongst the Heavies extensive catalogue.
And since Nicole’s power touches on Nikka Costa’s power, the Heavies are able to carry a strut or bravado on rockin blues efforts like “How Do You Think”.
But don’t worry, soulful hand-clapping efforts that the Heavies have been know for are still there. More towards the N’Dea styled jams on Brother Sister, the Heavies drop “What Do You Take Me For” and “Surrender”. The result is beautifully baked songs with so many dimensions that only the Heavies can do.
A surprising track that seems to capture old-school funk, Jamiroquai disco, and still sound fresh is “It Could Be Me”. As the song progresses, Nicole pulls the song into a memorable dance effort that could be one of the Heavies’ best.
Still, it is hard to distinguish Nicole from Joss Stone at times which might be why this album flew under the radar on the US scene. Still, Heavies fans can rejoice in a strong funk effort that will have many BEGGING for the Heavies to collab with Nicole Russo soon!
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