It’s summer; and with it comes a slew of blockbuster movies, and with that comes OMPS’! To all the laymen out there, that acronym translates to ‘Original Motion Picture Soundtracks’; generally a hodgepodge of big name and obscure talent lending songs that relatively relate to the movie in question. The movie in question is “Undercover Brother”, but it’s far from being a mismatch of talent.
A collection of old school classics from the original artists is very welcome on this CD, making it a fresh compilation of some great sounding tunes. Recognize names like: James Brown, The O’Jays, Earth Wind & Fire, Kool and the Gang? Well, they’re all on this CD. The original docta of funk; Bootsy Collins, makes an appearance with his nephew Snoop Dogg in the title track “Undercova Funk [Give up the Funk]”. This cover of “We want the Funk” of Parliament fame is great, and Snoop does a smooth job of lacing this beat with his funkness. Although the song is minus George Clinton, this is still a definite star on an already fantastic album. The hits keep on coming with: “Brick House”, by the Commodores, “Play that Funky Music [White Boy] by Wild Cherry, and “She’s A Bad Mama Jama [She’s built, She’s Stacked] by Carl Carlton. These are just some of the funkalicious jams you’ll encounter. The most glaring oversight on this album would have to be Lil’ J [Featuring Cree] on “I Need Luv [2002]”. This grating track on an already silk laden album is jarring to say the least. Thank the Funk Lords that Universal had the insight to include it last on the track order.
If you like funk and old school R&B/ Soul classics and you’re looking to have a great assemblage of songs bathed in the aforementioned on one CD, look no further. Finally, a non-remixing of old school songs that are fine the way they are. “Glory be…the Funks on me…Keep that Funk alive…”
