To anyone who says disco-funk doesn’t belong in Scotland can shut the funk up!
Aberdeen’s 5 piece disco-funk band, The Funky Red Pandas recently released their debut album ‘The Word Is F.U.N.K’ – it delivers in equal parts musically skilful and fun – how a funk album should be in my opinion! This 10 track powerful debut will have you moving, grooving and increasing that step count – Dad dancing is optional! 😉
If you like the disco vibes of Nile Rogers and Chic or the groove of the likes of The Meters or even the infectious choruses Jamiroquai deliver on then The Word is F.U.N.K is worth the 41 minutes of your life because the album is quality and please, I beg you, listen to it from start – finish as it was intended, it is way more impactful than on shuffle!
The Funky Red Pandas deliver just enough slap bass and wah wah guitar throughout the album without it being too repetitive and I think that’s a tough balance to get right in the genre. What I loved about the album was, each band member got a chance to shine in tracks like Stand Up where the drum patterns were front and centre of the track for me, the fills and solo break were interesting and brought the track to life while the guitar solo (and the tone) were lush but we see a fun call and response between band members in ‘Stuff’ which is what made this song repeat worthy for me.
Good Things was the hidden gem that made me smile. The chanking guitar part, the walking bass line and the little Wild cherry line didn’t go unnoticed and I hope other music fans listen to this album and can appreciate this moment too.
It’s evident from the album that the band members are exceptionally skilled musicians in their own right but having seen the Funky Red Panda’s live supporting High Fade a few years ago, I know they have a chemistry and stage presence that I haven’t met matched and I think the album translates some of this nicely.
The Scottish funk and soul scene is incredibly impressive just now and thank goodness there are bands like The Funky Red Pandas (amongst others) out there with all the funk vibes bringing a new lease of life to the genre. I hope this strong debut puts The Funky Red Pandas on the musical map and it showcases what bands in the North East of Scotland are capable of, – Aberdeen really does have a great thing happening just now.
The Word is F.U.N.K is a great listen and if at some point it’s released on vinyl, you better believe it’s being added to my collection!
