Now whilst there’s Brit-pop-soul-mod influences on The Moons’ Life On Earth, by comparison, if you want sweat guitar, and lingering organ, funky bass and some soulful vocals (the vocals provided by newcomer to us, Sitzka), the opening track on Dr. Rubberfunk’s latest album Hot Stone is what you really want.

As good as the single is, the next track ‘Trouble Woman’ with the vocals of Roachford (see review HERE), if you want my 2ps worth, ‘Part Of Me’ should be the next single. And with those two openers, as a couple of funky soulful tracks as you’re likely to hear with classic horn, basslines, guitar riffs and syncopated drums, in days of old, these tracks would have been the classic double A-sided 7” release.

But don’t think that we’re talking 2 tracks’n’out as Dr. Rubberfunk’s surgery is open late and has a big range of prescriptions to cure your swine funk blues. ‘Northern Comfort’ is solid blues funk with Memphis horn and features Johnn Turrell (as in Jalapeno’s very own Smoove + Turrell).

Now I know what you’re thinking, is every track on this album fantastic? Well near enough. I don’t like the ending of ‘Northern Comfort’ but I’m instantly in love with the. Latin breaks pop-jazz of ‘It’s Not Clear’ that’s reminiscent of Alice Russell when she was a stalwart of Ninja Tune/Tru-Thoughts - there’s a proper hip-hop rap and sexy vibes solo and pure double bass boogie!

Time to take it down with ‘Get Away’ where the bass line is the resounding winner as the lyrics are more for summer ads, “I need to get away, fly away, to a place, where I am free”.

The killer track of the whole album is the funky downtempo Emanative in Space with The Cinematic Orchestra meets Frank Zappa ‘Regalia de Peaches’. Now how good does that sound? Mighty fine damn good if you ask me (and whilst it doesn’t needs a remix, but I’m putting me name down now as this could call for some Detroit Experimentation a la ‘Space Odyssey’) - those with good memories with recall Dr. Rubberfunk remix proess on a number of tracks from Skalpel’s ‘Break In’ to Dutch Rhythm Combo’s ‘Venom’ (a couple of favourites).

Another guest, Philippo joins in on ‘Rising Steps’ that goes a bit RSK/Happy Monday’s groove (could this be true?) but I love ‘Theme From Hot Stone’ so much that Blaxploitation vs. Mizzell Bros. bites ya in ya dancin’ ass (and more). Pure dopeness from the medcine counter.

For old skool acid jazz-heads (or even nu-acid jazz heads) ‘Magic Beans’ is where it’s at; can this album get any better? This is where I’m Jazz Chronicle-ing in February (George Benson’s ‘On Broadway’ gets balls off Broadway - who’s on the sax?)

On ‘Your No Good’, Sitzka leads the way with more Alice Russell meets Amerie, Beyonce and Fred Wesley in the hot tub; and can’t argue with the drum breakin’ solo.

You certainly don’t want this album to come to an end abut as it must, the vibin’ instrumental ‘Sunset Breakup’ that fans will tell you is as cool as you can get.

If you thought Dr. Rubberfunk peaked with My Life At 33, Hot Stone (aka My Life At 35) is more than two years to good and it’s going to surprise some folks (but not us) and move some dancefloor buts like hot stones.

Reviewed: Dr. Rubberfunk - Hot Stone (Jalapeno Records) Cat. No. JAL88 Release date: January 2010
Tracklisting:
1 Part Of Me featuring Sitzka (3:32)
2 Trouble Woman featuring Roachford (3:33)
3 Nothern Comfort featuring John Turrell (2:49)
4 It’s Not Clear featuring Sitzka (4:24)
5 Get Away featuring Sitzka (3:18)
6 Theme From Hot Stone (3:59)
7 Rising Steps featuring Philippo (3:22)
8 Magic Beans (4:58)
9 You’re No Good featuring Sitzka (5:18)
10 Sunset Breakup (3:36)

Links:
www.myspace.com/drrubberfunk
www.funkydown.com
www.smooveandturrell.com
www.myspace.com/smooveandturrell
www.steinski.com
www.goodgrooverecords.com
jalapenorecords.com
www.myspace.com/jalapenorecords
6th February 2010 - Simon S, Martin Gordon & Gerry Hectic : Jazz Chronicles @ Sixty Million Postcards, Bournemouth 3 to 8pm www.sixtymillionpostcards.com
following on from Electric Conversation, Emanative and K15 (definitely one to watch) together with the ever present Martin Gordon (Brownswood).