Uncle Jam Wants You-Funkadelic

(Capitol Records, 1979)



Knee Deep is definitely one of the best songs ever recorded by Funkadelic and its 15 minutes of funk are the highlight of this album. It even manages to allude to other songs on the album and use the word "twerk" way before it became ubiquitous on BET and MTV in recent history. "Freak of the Week" is another classic song and other tracks are definitely up to standard. However, Knee Deep is such a powerful song that it overshadows all the other tracks. It features much sampled synth bass line that is abosolutely to die for! Yes folks, this bass line kills people. "Something about the music, it got into my pants" is repeated as one of the many mini-choruses in this song.
This album is recommended as a must have for all Funkadelic fans and even a nice album to have for those looking for a first Funkadelic album. I highly recommend you join Uncle Jam's army, he is your "Thrill Sergeant."

--The PANDA

The Big Hit--Andreas Duus Pape

Click here for an exclusive audio clip of Andreas performing "I know there's an answer" by the Beach Boys.



So, I was hoping that my first review would be of an Oakridge Boys album, but, since littleboxes sponsored the release of Andreas Duus Pape's The Big Hit, I've been asked to review that.

Until this release fans of Pape could only hear his music through his passionate live performances and possibly a few song snippets online. Andreas finishes his concerts drenched in sweat as though the emotions and music had to be wrung out of him. On this record Pape proves that he can transfer the passion of his live performances to the CD format. Standout tracks "Green Valleys of TN" and "4 Years Too Long" remain powerful and clever testaments of this songwriters intense feelings regarding politics, war, and love. The production here is spare but tracks such as "Poinsetta" are enhanced by editing and vocal effects.

This is Pape's first album and many of the songs sound similiar in tempo and rhythm. Some of this is surely the artist's intention as this album is really just his voice, his harmonica and his acoustic guitar. However, it would serve Pape well to make a significant effort to alter his sound on his next release. If the new songs he played live at his most recent show are any indication, Pape's sound will continue to expand, his lyrics will become less literal, and the passion inherent in all his songs will remain.

--The PANDA

Click here for an exclusive audio clip of Andreas performing "I know there's an answer" by the Beach Boys.