Artist: Charlie Funk

Produced by Tomás Doncker and James Dellatacoma, and Mastered by Michael Fossenkemper, for True Groove Records

Supporting the progressively insightful ideas of your colleagues as they strive to influence their audiences can be a rewarding experience as you strive to help leave an influential mark on society’s ideals. But finally having the courage and drive to fully commit to sharing your own revolutionary ideas can be even more liberating and fulfilling. Longtime staff songwriter for True Groove Records, Charlie Funk, has finally stepped into the spotlight to showcase his own vocal range with his much anticipated solo debut EP, ‘Give Me A Groove,’ which is now available. With enthralling vocals that are entrancingly supported by an eclectic mix of guitars, keyboards, bass, drums and horn, the singer, who’s legal name is Charles Maynard, naturally emphasizes his belief that everyone should enjoy and embrace life.

The versatile ‘Give Me a Groove’ begins with the up-tempo funk title track, which immediately encourages its listeners to dance to its feel-good instrumentals, notably the guitar and horn. Funk’s inspirational lyrics also empower his audience to enjoy their lives, particularly through partying and grooving all night.

While the initial song, as well as the rest of Funk’s pulsating EP, offer a gripping encouragement to its listeners to enjoy their lives as much as possible on the surface, most of the remaining tracks unfortunately offer minimal deep emotional development. The sophomore entry on ‘Give Me a Groove,’ which is titled ‘Sexy Cutie,’ offers a slower tempo, but it ultimately fails to live up to its potential of developing a true emotional journey. The song solely focuses on the musician’s immediate attraction to a woman he just met, and the accompanying funk-soul instrumentals, particularly the guitar, makes it a more suitable single in the dance market than on the adult contemporary charts.

Funk’s solo debut EP then delves into the track, ‘It’s Not a Joke,’ which features Amp Fiddler. The musician once again deserves attention for creating another song with feel-good vibes and alt-funk guitar and horn beats. However, the message behind its lyrics that unconditional love is always going to be there isn’t as intense and thoughtful as it should be.

‘Lunch In Babylon,’ which features Mike Hampton and Marla Mase, is the next thought-provoking entry on ‘Give Me a Groove.’ The song, which features an enthralling guitar introduction and an increasingly electronic instrumental vibe, grippingly explores the struggles people regularly face. Funk sings about how people fight for what’s right, and intriguingly contemplates the biggest troubles face in life along the way. The track shows promise as the musician also sings about deception, trying to fix his troubles and superficial problems and improving everything that’s wrong in life.

The contemplative song then gives way to a unique cover of the classic Tom Jones single, ‘It’s Not Unusual.’ Funk once again effortlessly changes course on the versatile EP, reverting back to his signature and most fitting care-free and soul vibe. The musician’s creative take on finding love is interestingly driven by a funk horn and drum, proving that people’s distinct personality traits can be embraced by people who truly appreciate them.

While Funk redeemed, and once again proved, his musical talent with the penultimate track on his solo debut EP, the last entry on the record, ‘Sexy Cutie (Touchy Feely Remix),’ unfortunately doesn’t live up to the musician’s full potential, and is a somewhat disappointing final entry. The remix takes on a more electronic and darker vibe than the original track it’s based on, particularly through its vocals. The darker tone takes away from what’s meant to be a praise towards the woman he’s attracted to, and wants to form a connection with.

Finally mustering the determination to fully commit to sharing your own radical ideas can be a liberating and fulfilling process. After working as a longtime staff songwriter for True Groove Records, Funk has finally stepped into the spotlight to showcase his own vocal range with his much anticipated solo debut EP, ‘Give Me A Groove.’ With enthralling vocals that are entrancingly supported by an eclectic mix of guitars, keyboards, bass, drums and horn, the singer naturally emphasizes his belief that everyone should enjoy and embrace life. While not all of the songs are as equally encouraging and uplifting as the title track, the diverse instrumentals and well-meaning message of enjoying life will impress dedicated fans of the alt-funk genre.

For more information on Charlie Funk, visit his Facebook page. Listen to ‘Give Me a Groove’ in its entirety below.

Written by: Karen Benardello