Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Michael Ray and the Cosmic Krewe: Funk If I Know

156

Michael Ray and the Cosmic Krewe: Funk If I Know

By

Sign in to view read count
Michael Ray and the Cosmic Krewe: Funk If I Know
Running short of fresh musical ideas? Well, how about a catchy album title? That should help. Oh, and throw in some outlandish photos of the leader to accentuate his “other–worldly” persona (on the order of Sun Ra), furnish the group with a similarly far–out name and make sure the songs also bear titles that are expressly designed to appeal to a younger audience. Actually, trumpeter Michael Ray and the members of his Cosmic Krewe seem to be capable musicians, able to dress in a variety of styles from street–wise Jazz and ultra–hip rapping to themes from the swing era, Latin America and the Caribbean (which they do). Does the music measure up to what is being produced by other such groups? Funk if I know. It’s an outsized kettle of stew they’re cooking, that’s for sure. Whenever they avoid the more obvious pitfalls (synthesized overlays, vapid rap lyrics, over–used special effects and so on) the music can be quite pleasant, as on “Yolinda,” “Latin Monkey,” “Big John Special,” “Dance of the Cosmos Aliens” and, believe it or not, the title selection, whose funk is explicit but securely harnessed. Solos aren’t plentiful, but trombonist Glasgo fares nicely on “Funk If I Know,” there’s a respectable uncredited tenor solo on “Cosmos Aliens” and breezy choruses by (we presume) Ray’s muted trumpet and Grippo’s alto sax on Horace Henderson’s bustling “Big John Special” (a few more charts like that one would have been welcome). If funk is your bag, check out the Cosmic Krewe. Are they eloquent spokesmen for that brand of music? Funk if I know.

Track listing: Cosmic City; Funk If I Know; Yolinda; Earthrite; Latin Monkey; Neon Cosmos; Worry Bout Dat; Cosmos #2; Angels and Demons at Play; Watusi; Big John Special; Made a Mistake; 6666; Dance of the Cosmos Aliens (60:19).

Personnel

Michael Ray, trumpet, synth, vocals; Eddie Dejean, drums, vocals; Bob Gullotti, drums; Kevin O

Album information

Title: Funk If I Know | Year Released: 1999 | Record Label: Monkey Hill

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.