Having steered the mothership and worked as a triggerman for the Godfather of Soul, storied sax man
Maceo Parker now brings his own tight rhythm and soul sound to vinyl (er, plastic) in undeniable proof that he's still "got it." Combining his smoking horn with the backing of fellow legends such as trombonist
Fred Wesley and new bloods such as son Corey (whose intermittent raps colorfully enhance the album's youthful vibrance),
Maceo works through the familiar funk and soul lines of his
Parliament and JB days and adds new twists to such classics as
Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" and "Inner City Blues,"
Stevie Wonder's "Tell Me Something Good," and
Sly Stone's "Sing a Simple Song," while offering a number of his own well-orchestrated and well-seasoned compositions. "Youth of the World" features
Maceo on a lead vocal reminiscent of
Kool Moe Dee or
Kurtis Blow, while "Do You Love Me" rises like
Tower of Power before the sultry
Chicago lines of closer "Going in Circles." Though
Maceo's original lyrical attempts may be a bit immature, his years of experience and hard work shine through with every brassy attack and smooth soul note. ~ Matthew Robinson