On their third
Salsoul
album,
The Funk Is On
, Philly soul band
Instant Funk
shows an acute pop music sensibility. But funk fans need not worry, this album lives up to its title; the band still funks. The title track single, written by
Brass Construction
's
Randy Muller
, is pure, unadulterated funk. The same could be said for the gritty
"You Want My Love."
The second single,
"Everybody,"
has a serious bounce groove along the lines of
Zapp
"More Bounce to the Ounce"
or
Vaughn Mason
"Bounce, Skate, Rock, Roll."
The
Larry Levan
12" extended remix clocked in at 8:47 and features
Jack Faith
's dynamic arrangement and
James Carmichael
's arousing guttural groans towards the track's climax. The funny, plucky
"Funk-n-Roll"
has yodels. The snappy
"It's Cool"
is a skater's favorite and shows off some deft guitar and bass. The third single was the sweet, simmering ballad
"What Can I Do for You"
that should have given the band its first hit ballad. Producer
Bunny Sigler
shows the band's lighter side on the melodic, swing jazz-flavored
"Can You See Where I'm Coming From"
and the upbeat
"You're Not Getting Older."
(reissued on CD in the spring of 1999 by U.K. label
Charly
) gives
fans what they want and a little bit more. ~ Ed Hogan