ARTIST - CANDY DULFER
CD - FUNKED UP
LABEL - Heads up International
RELEASE DATE - MAY, 12 2009
SOUNDS LIKE - Richard Sandborn,
DEFINING MOMENTS - CD 101.9, True and Tender, Be Cool
STRENGTH - Strong Musical Diversity, Exciting New Musical Direction
WEAKNESS - NONE.
KATAVI RATING - 7 out of 7 masks
Dutch saxophone sensation Candy Dulfer releases her 9th album entitled: Funked Up on May 12, 2009 released by Heads Up International. It’s been nearly two decades since Candy burst onto the scene with her debut release: Sexuality: a 1990 Grammy nominated record. Who could forget Dulfer’s smooth debut singles like “Sexuality”, and “Heavenly City” filling the airways, with cool videos featuring Prince, and her red hot look. Though alot has changed in 19 years, Candy’s still got the mojo and serves it up via a hot new collection of songs that will Funk You Up.
Logging on at just over 47 minutes Funked Up kicks things off with “First in Line” an upbeat funky number complete with driving bass lines courtesy of bassist Chance Howard and vocal tandems Candy Dulfer and Monique Bakker. From track number one you can tell this CD lives up to it’s name. Track 2: the CD takes an even more radical left turn with “Funk It.” This song throws some serious stink on it combining rap-type grooves courtesy of Pete Philly meshed with Dulfer’s sensual saxophone. Yes - some of these songs feel like uncharted water for Candy, but trust me she knows exactly what she’s doing. What’s truly amazing about this CD is how well Dulfer’s musical style meshes with the vocal flair of other rap-type artists. Performances by Pete Philly, Joseph Bowie of Defunkt, and Leona work extremely well within the catalogue. On “Step up” you can hear Leona serving up her super sassy reggae-flavored vocal groove. On Track 7: “Bliss 2 This” we see Dulfer this time joining forces with rapper Joseph Bowie of Defunkt laying down the soulful dialogue about a relationship gone sour. This song will slowly slither you into musical submission - “How can we go from Bliss to this?” While on Track 11: “True and Tender” Leona and Dulfer join forces again to deliver a classic island vibe complete with a sizzling horn sections and reggae style drumming reminiscent of Jimmy Cliff and Bob Marley. But despite all of the above the CD also goes back in time as well, dishing out it’s fair share of disco type melodies. Track 6: “CD 101.9” is actually a tribute of sorts to a New York radio station that gave Dulfer a lot of airplay in the early nineties. You can hear snippets of DJ Russ Davis’s voice throughout the entire piece, while musically the song serves up a full-tilt late 70’s groove complete with Hammond organ chops, funky bass, and hooky saxophone. But I got to say my favorite track is a toss up between Track 9: “Be Cool” featuring some amazing trumpet work by Jan Van Duikeren, and Track 10: “On & On” a silky groove with Euro-style keyboard parts, nice hooky horn accents, and driving melody. From serious passionate ballads like “Still in Love with You” and “Don’t Go” to songs that shift you back into disco overdrive like “Finger Poppin,” and “Roppongi Panic,” this CD’s pretty much got it all. It’s a whole lot of fun complete with a modern twist, and a funky lava lamp aftertaste.
From top to bottom this CD definitely lives up to it’s name. It’s strong suit is the balance struck between the wide variety of grooves on it without coming across as being to repetitious, over the top, or even outdated. All the songs possess a unique personality and flavor. Some possess serious modern mojo with the fresh arsenal of artists Candy brings to the table. Each one delivering a multiple of rap-type favors without being classified as such. It’s got disco type grooves that don’t sound to outdated. It’s got driving melodies with amazing late 70’s keyboard accents, funky bass, and driving horn sections reminiscent of Earth Wind and Fire and the Commodores
Funked Up is a solid production top to bottom. It’s yet another impressive work by Candy Dulfer to add to her already impressive catalogue. I admit I really didn’t know what to expect when I put this one on, but for uncharted water Candy D. navigates through it with sheer brilliance. All with that smooth ,sensual saxophone feel that is none other than Cady D. Don’t be fooled folks, she’s been down here before, and she knows exactly what she’s doing.
My overall rating - 7 out of 7 masks.
Cyrus Rhodes - 5/19/09
KATAVI ARTS
