JP Delaire - In My Life (2009)

On the song "Gotta Keep The Funk Alive," J.P. DeLaire tells the listener where he is coming from. The song is homage to the funk heroes from the 1960s to the 1980s. With DeLaire dropping the names of funkateers from James Brown to Roger Troutman and Zapp, "Gotta Keep the Funk Alive" is a labor of love that will prompt the listener to grab those old records (or CDs). As a piece of art, "Gotta Keep the Funk Alive," is not going to make listeners forget "Cold Sweat," but that's not DeLaire's purpose. The singer and multi-instrumentalist is himself a funkateer - a fact that becomes clear on the next tune "Last Call," a mid-tempo instrumental groove that combines funk with jazz. "Last Call" is a song that could have fit in nicely with funky numbers from back in the day.

DeLaire is mainly on solid ground when he uses In My Life to show listeners how funky he can be. Funk is often viewed as an up-tempo music. However, DeLaire, like his hero Troutman, shows that funk can sometimes be a vehicle used to deliver a slow jam, such as "Never Enough," the song that opens In My Life. On "Never Enough," DeLaire provides a hypnotic groove that includes such flourishes as harps interplaying with keyboards and saxophone solos. All of these things compliment DeLaire's sensual and tasteful lyrics and mature vocal delivery.

In fact, most of the memorable and best songs on In My Life are the ballads, including the soulful (right down to the organ intro) "We Can't Go On," "I Need Your Love" (which has a 1990s feel), the funky torch song "Living With a Broken Heart," and "True Love." This song, the final track, would be a great wedding song or even a tune that could be played for the first dance at a reception. The instrumentation is sparse, which provides a showcase for DeLaire's passionate and powerful vocals.

While In My Life has its share of up-tempo songs,  J.P. DeLaire's best work is done on the tunes that make you want to turn on the blue light. Recommended

By Howard Dukes