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Dial M-A-C-E-O
Home > Complete List of "q-r" Artists > R.O.C. > Item 22
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Dial M-A-C-E-O
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by Maceo Parker
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$18.98
At Amazon
on 9-12-2008.
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First of all, Maceo Parker is a relatively unsung hero of funk. A lot of people can remember, "Hit me Maceo!", but few completely grasp how pervasive his sound as a multidecade dealer of the Funk. Maceo's work with Parliament as a member of the Horny Horns is a key contribution, and his work with the JBS, a spinoff of James Brown's stuff is essential as well. As a solo artist, Maceo's music is more relevant to what's happening in funk then James Brown now that he's lost his core collaborators and can't dance as well. Maceo's solo work starts with seeing a live show! If you have a chance to spend $19 on this album or spend $60 bucks to see him live, see the man live!!! Maceo live is one of the greatest funk acts around. After you've seen a live show, you probably want to dig one of his solo albums, and "Life On Planet Groove" is definitely the place to start. And now we're left with Dial M A C E O. "Dial" is Maceo trying to move to the mainstream and broaden his appeal from overseas adulation and hard core funkateers in the states. The result is cleaner more produced horn sound, some smoother funk work and a laundry list of collaborations that don't really work for me. This album to me is like a lesser version of "Funk Overload", which I believe was the album immediately preceding it. You get some funk covers like the Isley's "Work to Do", one of my favorite tracks on the album. You get a novelty funk tune in "Rabbits in a Pea Patch." And you get some smooth Maceo on flute, [not too much flute on Funk Overload, though]. The big change is the Prince covers and I agree with other reviewers; covering Prince stuff is not really Maceo's bag or why I'm into Maceo. Likewise, it's nice that he's trying to bring his son along for the ride as a rapper, but Corey is not a viable solo artist as a rapper and the rhymes don't really add much to the sound. Personally, I'd give this one two and a half stars and recommend it only to Maceo completists. If you dig Maceo, "Life On Planet Groove" first, than the Roots series of albums if you want his jazzier side, "Funk Overload" if you want the more produced. Last thing for Maceo fans; check out my other review of Fred Wesley's memoirs "Hit Me Fred" for some perspective on post James Brown/post Parliament JB horns alums. I agree with Fred Wesley that the dissolving of the JB Horns and the resulting Maceo as pure solo artist has not been the best thing for the Funk. Maceo's still a badass, but he's done a lot better work than this. --SD
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Dial M-A-C-E-O
Available from Amazon
Price: $18.98
Updated on 9-12-2008.
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