Emanuel Harrold - Funk La Soul

August 19th 2022

(EP Review)

****

Finally a drummer doing his own thing!!!

Emanual Harrold is a multi Grammy award nominated and winning drummer and producer, which you probably have heard... even if you don't realise you have. And when you have a complexed and interesting history like that, you get a chance to do whatever the Funk you want and make music on your own terms. This is Emanual doing something that sounds so free from any one else’s demands or opinions. It's refreshing to hear an artist create music exactly how they want to. Fiiiiiiinally!!!!, a drummer who writes and releases his own music, and it's not Dave Grohl or Phil Collins... this is something different.

This does lead to some things being a tad unconventional, the EP showcases production where musicians are free to improvise. It's a unique and wonderful to hear this on a recording nowadays. Yes, the timing can seem a bit abstract, jazzy or experimental at times, but thank God for that in an age where everything is quantized to a soulless point. Starting track 'Brighter Day' (Which you can see the lyric video for at the bottom of this Page) sets the vibe for the EP. It's got wonderful tones and vibes that are immediate hooks, with some of the more experimental percussion timings. It may take a few plays to get used to it, but keep with it.

Second track 'Best Part' goes straight into Miles Davis territory with some incredible smokey brass alto-sax, it sounds like sunset across the city after a busy day. Although some of the tracks can be a bit more challenging to listen to, track three 'Yes we Can' changes course and goes for solid, perfect conventional arrangements. It's the best track of the four and needs to be listened to constantly. Honestly, if you aint strutting around the place with this blasting (and pretending its your own personal soundtrack), well you aint got Soul. It's pure Parliament Funk, and you know you love that.

Emanuel plays all drums and percussion on the EP, with pals helping out on his arrangements. I’d have loved to have been in the same room when all this was created. It just sounds like magic was being made. Final track 'Free' is into some Nile Rodgers territory with is wah-wah clean guitar and some of the best sax I’ve heard in years, thanks again to Carlos ‘Scooter’ Brown. All in all, its a struggle for an artist to show of their full range in just four tracks. Emanuel presents a showcase of everything he can accomplish. Its impressive and enjoyable. A great mix of smooth Funk, Jazz and everything you need to relax. Now, excuse me while I run a hot deep bubble bath and listen to this EP again.