Conscience Mature Lyrics
author: Randy Bookout Photography
This is a great cd a must have for your collection.
Read more...
Formulated Funk
author: Nolan Briggs
Formulated Funk
by Nolan Briggs
Here is the eagerly anticipated debut CD by Atlanta musician/composer/keyboardist P.E.A.C.E., a true child of the funk who lists Roger Troutman and Zapp as one of his biggest influences. This powerful production is an interesting, eclectic, and original mix of musical styles geared toward the mature listener, though with a universal appeal. Although more than half the tracks feature vocals, music is clearly the focus on Formulated Funk and it is exciting to see an artist with talent work successfully with the different styles. P.E.A.C.E. (Peace Endureth All Challenges Everywhere) did all the songwriting and the majority of the production on the release, along with contributions by Terry Troutman and Ricardo Bray of the Zapp Band and Walter Earl of Lemmon House Productions.
Formulated Funk is an orderly progression through the various genres that are represented within. The first four tracks bring the funk beginning with the cool, “What’s Up”, the introduction to our P.E.A.C.E.-ful journey. I do not know if it will make mainstream radio, as it is not likely to fit the pigeon-holed programming formats of most urban stations, but it lets you know right away that if the rest of the CD is like this, it will be hot! That track and the next, “Sho Nuff” will probably have the most appeal to the hip hop heads. “F.I.N.E.” features the use of the voice box machine first made famous by Roger Troutman (of “I Wanna Be Your Man” and “Computer Love” fame), may he rest in peace, and is a great allusion to the beloved performer. The first transition is to more mainstream R&B on “Everybody Wants Peace” and “Beauty Queens”. Hopefully everybody wants P.E.A.C.E., in addition to peace, but I think that “Beauty Queens” is the best track on the CD, as well as being the shortest. Anyone who likes musiq soulchild will immediately identify with this one.
Starting with Track 7, “OOH Baby”, P.E.A.C.E. slows the tempo and reaches for the heart. The guitar begs and cries like on “Voyage to Atlantis” by the Isley Brothers, helping to make this a classic slow jam. The longest track, at 4:47 is “Why”, but the best of the ballads is unquestionably, “Lady”. The final transition is to a little jazzamatazz as Formulated Funk. wraps up with “Do You”, “N Tha Mood”, and “Black Kings Black Queens”, expertly done in the modern, smooth jazz style. Then it is time to hit repeat and be at P.E.A.C.E.again. And again. And again.
Another of the growing crop of exciting, independent artists, multi-talented funkster/crooner/producer P.E.A.C.E. is definitely one to keep your eye on. He is currently working on a follow-up CD, to be released in the next few months. Pick up Formulated Funk today on www.cdbaby.com. You can also check P.E.A.C.E. out on his MySpace page, www.myspace.com/peaceendurethallchallenges.
Read more...