The Fruit Basket
Schnitzel, 2019
8/10
Ian Everett and George Miller, the driving force behind Solid Bronze, brought in some serious talent on this debut album, including players in Ween, Morphine, Funkadelic and others, and it sure paid off in this skilled mashing of styles and sounds.
After the groove filled funk and lively basslines of “Papa’s Bug”, “The Invisible Man”, with CLEW, finds the outfit getting soulful with processed vocals that mix talking with bare but impactful musicianship.
Further along, “Bronze Magic” enters jazz like territory with playful brass, while “Midnite Goose” glides with neo-soul and psyche-influenced fun.
Near the end, the highly melodic and retro tendencies of the sax friendly “The Critter Walk” make this one of the album’s best, and the instrumental “Paradise Lounge” flows with graceful, dreamy instrumentation that even brings in a flute. “Like That Ol’ Saying Goes” ends the listen with spirited guitar work and hazy backing vocals in a display of timeless, soothing psychedelia.
Perhaps most closely resembling a funk album, you’ll hear plenty of rock, R&B, gospel, jazz, blues, soul and endless nods to the ‘70s, too, as Solid Bronze come through with an extremely memorable first LP.
Travels well with: Funkadelic-Cosmic Slop; George Clinton- Computer Games