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Liberator 4.3
Platinum Pied Pipers
Platinum Pied Pipers

Detroit’s neo-funk/hip-hop revivalists, anchored by Slum Village producer Waheed & partner Saadiq, are out to bring in the new. The duo represents Motown lovely with future funk, psychedelic soul and hip-hop sensibilities by at least trying to be relevant and refreshing.

The record plays like a DJ Presents album. Featuring like-minded friends Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Steve Spacek, Jay-Dee and an array of new school soul vocalists. Already critic’s darlings, making waves with the underground club community, BBC DJ Giles Peterson and the Okayplayer crowd. Former Slum Village member /producer Jay Dee (Common/D'Angelo) team up for on three tracks, including the throwaway “Shotgun Intro” which is nothing inspirational, just solid, familiar neck snapping. “Deep Inside” featuring Sa-Ra offers up Outkast-like circus funk. They bring the U.K. Soul on “No Worries” featuring Steve Spacek, which makes you ask, “What ever happened to Soul II Soul? While trying to reclaim the funk for a new generation of backpackers and neo-soul holdovers, they get a little too comfortable with the acid jazz and dangerously close to smooth jazz. However, when things go right as they do with a cover of Paul Simons “50 Ways” it all makes sense. Other noteworthy tracks include the nouveau disco of "Better Days” and "One Minute More,” featuring Georgia.

words: Jon Jon