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In the mighty words sampled off DJ/producer Fatboy Slim’s “The Rockafeller Skank,” “Check it out now…the ‘funk soul’ brother.” This sentiment heard around the world by rapper Lord Finesse certainly applies to three artists who collectively embody that funky spirit. Back then, Jan Kincaid, Andrew Levy and Simon Bartholomew were paying their dues under the name Brother International, mostly playing ‘60s’ soulful grooves. By the time they released their debut record in 1990, those “funk soul brothers,” now called The Brand New Heavies, were one of the main ambassadors of the U.K.’s acid jazz movement in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Their dominance through the ‘90s was evident by several U.K. Top 40 hits like “Sometimes,” “Dream on Dreamer” and an urban spin on the Maria Muldaur’ pop smash, “Midnight at the Oasis.” The investment in their early years hanging out in U.K.
clubs that blasted Funkadelic, house music and hip-hop successfully paid off, integrating these influences into signature organic grooves tailor-made for the club and internationally endorsed by both DJs and fans. Sticking to their trademark sound is how The Brand New Heavies have kept their touring and recording business rolling, along with fellow jazz funksters Incognito, even after acid jazz’s heyday had passed on the Top 40 charts.
Originally an instrumental group, BNH’s career has been enhanced with soulful sisters, with the most memorable being U.S.-born frontwoman, N’Dea Davenport. Through the temptations to break up and adapting to several female lead vocalists—including Grammy winning singer/songwriter Siedah Garrett—the original three “funk soul brothers” remain firmly intact. Two years shy of their silver anniversary, the trio marks their latest effort and first disc in six years, Forward. Staying firm to their funky, sophisticated groove theory, Forwardstars a returning Davenport and introduces the collective’s latest soul sister, Dawn Joseph. When BNH focuses on their primary strengths of steady lead vocals and funky attitude, Forward fully excels.
Davenport’s powerful, soulful voice lights up the disco jamming first single, “Sunlight,” a cut that should translate to a club party sensation for 2013. Along with the up-tempo “Addicted,” “Sunshine” recalls the days of ‘90s soulful British dance music from acts like Soul II Soul. The title track, “Itzine” and “Turn the Music Up” all deliver unapologetic dance funk excursions accented with all the BNH goods: ambient synthesizer framing, a tight brass section, scorching lead guitar, swift guitar scratching and exhilarating horn solos. On “Lights,” Joseph steps in, handling the microphone on a track with Solar Records greasy funk breakdowns (think: Midnight Star and Lakeside). Keeping it energized, “Do You Remember” meanwhile basks in its own Earth, Wind & Fire vibe.
Not strictly a dance music outfit, BNH showcases other strengths on Forward. In addition to the dance funk tracks, BNH’s natural ability to exercise pure jazz-induced funk is another major asset, as demonstrated on “A Little Funk in Your Pocket."
What BNH needs to avoid on Forward is straying from their sweet spot. Case in point, “Spice of Life,” an overambitious mix of pseudo B-52’s quirky pop and 2-tone ska (ska-reggae hybrid) fills. Occasionally, BNH also opts to merge today’s technology of auto-tune on naturally sound vocals, as with “On the One.” The decision was a very odd choice in that it interrupts Kincaid’s solid lead vocal performance on the track. On the other hand, the organic lead vocals completely waver on the fairly bland “The Way It Goes.”
The good news on Forward is that BNH for the most part still knows who they are, offering their cool balancing act of dance, funk, soul and jazz. When they step out of that happy zone, Forward tends to go backwards. But, overall, Forward is an important reminder why Kincaid, Levy and Bartholomew are still the “funk soul brothers” Finesse and Fatboy Slim once bragged about. Recommended.
By Peggy Oliver