Rock Candy Funk Party: We Want Groove Review

We Want Groove by Rock Candy Funk Party – The album title and name of the group pretty much sums it all up. This is one sweet assemblage of musicians consisting of Joe Bonamassa (guitar), Ron DeJesus (guitar), Mike Merrit (bass), Renato Neto (Keys) and Tal Bergman (drums and producer). Tal has been the drummer for Joe for a couple of years now and RCFP started out as a side project with Ron DeJesus where they just got together at LA’s Baked Potato jazz club and jammed. Over time the rest of the group slowly joined the jam sessions and what we end up with is a group that swirls 70s/80s funk groove with fusion jazz improvisation, which is all tempered with an underpinning rock sensibility.

The influences of the great jazz and funk musicians like James Brown, Marcus Miller, Miles Davis, Sly Stone, Billy Cobham, and the Average White Band are evident throughout this album. You exchange vocal lyrics for extended improvisational lyrical exchanges between all the players. You don’t miss the lyrics at all.

The album starts off with the first released single, “Octopus-e,” which you can download for free from band’s web page. It starts off with staccato rhythm guitar, which is soon joined by that driving drum and bass line that characterizes funk. It clearly sets the stage that this is not the blues rock that you are used to hearing from Bonamassa, but then again, this isn’t his band. So expect to hear something different. “We Want Groove” also delivers a groove that makes your body move and won’t leave you alone. “The Best Ten Minutes of Your Life” is literally ten minutes of a laid back, atmospheric, nighttime soul sound where you can lay back, close your eyes and imagine swinging in a hammock on the beach while watching the sunset with a good drink and the one you love. If you want more of that same swanky soulful sound the last track, “New York Song” delivers. Stick around at the end to catch the hidden track after a couple of minutes of silence.

This album isn’t going to be for everyone. However, if you’re looking to experiment and push the boundaries of what you like past blues rock then follow Joe down this path. It’s a fun dive into the jazz funk genre that doesn’t get too far from the rock shore line. Every track has some stellar guitar playing and in the end We Want Groove delivers the funky groove that they wanted.

The Review: 8/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Octopus-e
– We Want Groove
– The Best Ten Minutes of Your Life
– New York Song

The Big Hit

– Octopus-e

Review by Kevin O’Rourke

Buy the album: Amazon | iTunes