After 10 years as backup band and/or recording musicians for so many performers (the O’Jays, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Lou Rawls, and Loleatta Holloway, among others), Instant Funk has emerged with its own distinct identity and following. Instant Funk made “I Got My Mind Made Up (You Can Get It Girl),” one of the biggest selling records this year, and a classic dance record for any year.
So how do you follow up such an act? You get Bunny Sigler to produce your new album, “Witch Doctor,” (SalSoul) two prominent d.j.’s to remix the tunes, and add a couple of pretty ballads for variety.
Already two tracks appear to be doing well in Washington. “Slap Slap Lickedly Lap” (remix by Larry Levan) and “Bodyshine” (remix by Tee Scott) are both strong dance records, and their success will only add to Instant Funk’s growing reputation as one of the best bands around.
Ken Miller, spiritual leader of this talented 10-man group, recently told me, “We’re a very unusual group… There’s always somebody who keeps everyone else’s spirit up…We are together as one, we talk to each other a lot.” This sense of solidarity is apparent: the group has been intact for three years with no change in personnel.
Because they are totally dedicated to bettering themselves in the business, no one in the group has yet married. They spend a lot of time together practicing and getting ready for their upcoming tour. As Ken says, “We are moving toward a style called funk-rock. Our new show will have lots of theatrics involving several costume changes… Once we establish ourselves we then want to experiment with jazz and other idioms.”
With their dedication and desire, it looks as if Instant Funk will be with us for some time to come. They’ve not only arrived, they probably will take us in new directions of funk-rock fusion.
So hold on and enjoy the ride.!
