Although purists might not find it as much to their taste as
Midnight Creeper,
Everything I Play Is Funky is easily one of the best examples of
Lou Donaldson's commercially accessible period of the late '60s and early '70s.
Donaldson's forays into funk and R&B-driven soul-jazz could sometimes sound stiff, but the grooves here -- which feature many of the same players -- are consistently limber and unforced. And, typical of the style, the grooves (not adventurous improvisation) are what make the album tick. For once,
Donaldson's attempt at an R&B cover -- in this case, the
Lee Dorsey-sung,
Allen Toussaint-penned "Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky (From Now On)" -- is pulled off well enough to make for an entirely convincing statement of purpose. That number kicks off an entertaining program also highlighted by three
Donaldson originals -- the cooking funk number "Donkey Walk," which seems to inspire the fieriest solos on the record, the cheery calypso "West Indian Daddy," and the hard bop-flavored "Minor Bash." There's also a version of "Over the Rainbow" done in
Donaldson's caressing, melodic ballad style, and the simple funk vamp "Hamp's Hump." It's a nicely varied assortment, all anchored by the percolating rhythm section of guitarist
Melvin Sparks, bassist
Jimmy Lewis, and drummer
Idris Muhammad (
Charles Earland and
Dr. Lonnie Smith switch off on organ, and
Blue Mitchell and Eddie Williams do the same on trumpet). This is the sort of record that modern-day
Donaldson disciples like
the Sugarman Three cherish, and one of his few truly consistent efforts in this style. Recommended wholeheartedly to funk and rare-groove fans. ~ Steve Huey