If we needed a reminder, now’s the time to count your blessings because it’s Thanksgiving here in the US! Time to slow it down, take stock of what is right around you, and celebrate. Family, friends, health, whatever it is you can appreciate for being above ground. And kiss up to the immortal capitalism while you are at it. Put way too much on the plate only to toss out the majority when it is all over. And while you have laid on that calorific imbalance, lay down on the couch in front of the boob tube. Laugh, yell, or even go mad and throw your remote when your favorite Patriots lose on the 2 yard line.
And if we even needed a reminder during this holiday, Funky DL shows us that after all of this time he is still a master. He continues to cook up releases like your grandmother’s slow cooked green beans. (Well, maybe we can skip her recipe.) Except this new record from this UK gent lands in the history books as one of his best. He brings us some forceful lyrics on The Boom Bap Specialist that come as a reminder of what he is truly capable. If you have been enjoying his instrumental works of late, it is now time to switch gears and get ready for another level.
His last 30 years have been filled with so many highlights that it is hard to believe he can still create another cherry to go on top. It is a storied past working amongst so many greats like the late Nujabes, Substantial, and others. Throughout these years he has shown us the depth of what he can do. Take a listen to Nights in Nippon. It’s classic symphonic sounds are like an open book into the innerworkings of his soul. Now, follow that with the Specialist to see what I mean as he kicks a hardened edge. His “rhyme slayin” is next level. And, you can see that he masters beats across a wide range of palates. To Funky, “…when you make music because that’s who you are, it matters less about making money… It’s truly art for me….” It is hard to believe to us old farts that nearly 30 years ago Funky DL first broke out in the hip hop scene. He has gone on to tour worldwide, work with the best worldwide, and still has the energy to do no wrong. Sorry for you if you are just tuning in to what DL is all about because you will have a lot of work to come up to speed. But don’t worry, it will be a good trip. So get after it!
“I’m like a broken VCR, because I don’t play.” This rhyme on the fourth track of Specialist is key to understanding where this record is heading. It shows us there is a playful side but let’s us know he means business. With his “def lyrics” he is indeed flawless, thick as molasses. You’ll get laid out right from the start on Full Court with its style, content, and rapid fire as he is joined by the vocals of E1EVENSHAY. “You will admire it.” Shit, there is much to admire here with perfect horns throwing at you as hard as the words. Funky’s solid beats throughout are so expressive and let his lyrics just fall into place on every track. On Classic, he’s “25 years older, 25 years colder. I’m still at it. I’m still classic.” And, he ain’t afraid to speak the truth when it matters. On Artificial Intelligence he ain’t “pulling the wool over your eyes” to show you where we are headed. Damn straight. Later, he comes out swinging on I’m a Beast to prove his hip hop worth after all this time.
“If I never made another album, turn this up and show the people how they should be sounding.” No doubt.
Track Listing:
1. The Way That I Do (Remix) 02:33
2. Full Court (ft. E1EVENSHAY) 02:49
3. Classic 25 02:21
4. I’m Not Playing 03:29
5. No Illusion 03:28
6. Artificial Intelligence 03:30
7. Levitate (Like Magic) 05:10
8. So… 03:14
9. Truth Be Told (ft. Abioseh) 03:29
10. Stixx & Parris 02:08
11. I’m a Beast 03:15
12. Pieces of a Thesis (ft. Abioseh) 03:09
13. Play 03:13
14. Def Lyricist (ft. DJ 279) 02:48
Buy here.
