Nils Landgren Funk Unit: Unbreakable

Let the sweet sound of jazz and funk fill your ears with pure joy. That is exactly what will happen when you give the latest album from the Swedish trombonist Nils Landgren a spin. Man oh man this is some fine stuff. The album is titled Unbreakable and after only one spin I was hooked. The horn arrangements by Jonas Wall are simply superb and Landgren's trombone work is off the charts good. The brass melodies and harmonies are so infectious and melodic you will want to hit the repeat button soon after the music stops. Landgren's vocals are a huge plus as well, adding the necessary ingredient to give this album the proverbial icing on the cake.

We kick things off with the title track as Detroit native Ray Parker Jr. lays down a terrific guitar groove giving the track that funky edge. Soulful vocals and smooth trombone follow suit heating up the soundscape. The sax and trombone work is outstanding as the scintillating solos should leave you breathless. The trombone melody reminded me of something Steely Dan would come out with and the arrangement harkens back to '70s Earth Wind & Fire. The smooth funky blues of "Just A Kiss Away", the rousing funk rocker "Get Down On The Funk" with its excellent Rhodes solo and the smooth soulful grooves of "Friday Night" are more highlights. Landgren's vocals are spot on. The bass really stands out in Herbie Hancock's "Stars In Your Eyes" and the trumpet solos on "Rockin' After Midnight" and "NLFU Funk" by Randy Brecker and Tim Hagans respectively are delightful.

For jazz and funk fans Unbreakable is a winner. Chalk this up as another outstanding release from 2017.

Track Listing:
1. Unbreakable
2. Just A Kiss Away
3. Get Down On The Funk
4. Friday Night
5. Stars In Your Eyes
6. Rockin' After Midnight
7. Soulchild
8. Old School
9. NLFU Funk
10. Bow Down

Added: March 12th 2018
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 1362
Language: english

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