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"F R E A K / S T O M P " - R E V I E W S
It's Tina Turner! Actually, it's Karime Kendra, daughter of Northern Soul legend Ty Karim and here in possession of two dance-floor stompers. The crackly-voiced diva is partying hard and can't take her eyes off someone in the funky Freak, and she's shouting out and dancing all night in the 1960s swing homage Stomp. We're keeping this girl's number.
- M E T R O ( b e s t _ s i n g l e s _ of _ t h e _ w e e k - 2 2 / 6 / 0 9 )
The first single left many fans of their traditional Meters style funk sound a bit flummoxed. What was that rock guitar doing in there? "Freak" completes the picture. It's got some of the same fuzz going on but the drums hit harder and the keyboard riff adds some psychedelic edges. Karime tells us a story of going out and not being able to take her eyes off somebody "I can't take my eyes off the Freak………There's a diva inside needing some love…." Who's the Freak here you might ask? The band answer the question with each instrument taking a turn to freak out, culminating in one of the heaviest drum breaks made in recent years. This song has it all, late night tales, incredible vocals, incredible musicianship and it has worked on every dancefloor that the Breakin Bread crew have so far dropped it on.
The second track "Stomp" is a complete change in style. Here the KM's give a nod to 60's psychedelic swing records as well as the rolling drum breaks beloved of so many northen soul stompers. Kicking things off at a frenetic pace, Karime emplores us all to "Shout" and "Dance All Night". In double quick time (the tune is only just over 2 minutes long, just like a 60's pop record!) the song builds to a climax and we challenge you not to be stomping around by the end of it.
For added value the double 7" pack contains both vocal versions and 2 drum led breaks/dub versions for the DJ's who like to be creative. Once again the release is beautifully packaged in true Breakin Bread fashion. The double pack has a full colour sleeve with illustrations from the Brighton based artist, Sri.
- B R E A K I N _ B R E A D
As a taster for this autumn's Killer Meters LP, this double 45 of pure dancefloor nastiness is pretty much impeccable. Showcasing the band's talent for providing a whistlestop tour through the history of funk and soul, it also suggests that, in frontwoman Karime Kendra (daughter of Northern Soul legend Ty Karim), they may just have a bona fide star in the making. 'Freak' is a Sly and the Family Stone 1970s psychedelic wig out, in which Kendra tells a tale of not being able to take her eyes off someone. Unsurprisingly, given that she oozes soul diva from every poor, the feeling is mutual. As usual, this is music for the dancefloor, about the dancefloor.
'Stomp' meanwhile, provides something of a change of pace. It's still gloriously infectious and upbeat, but the propulsive beats here are pure 60s soul. In a move guaranteed to please Blue Oyster Cult and indeed Christopher Walken, it contains just the right amount of cowbell. All in all, a perfect start to what will hopefully be a damn funky summer. If they can keep this pace up over a full album, I suspect that there will be plenty of people unable to keep their eyes off Karime and her cohorts. I can't believe I just wrote that. I'll blame it on the boogie. Christ, that's actually worse..
- F L A S H L I G H T
All I can say about this is psychedelicness!! (I don't think it's a word but you catch my drift!?) When I hear The Killer Meters it always reminds me of Starsky and Hutch! It's good to see that there are still live bands out there instead of all this electronic music and I can imagine them to put on one hell of a live show. If you like that 60's sound then you'll definitely like this E.P. Be on the look out for their album dropping sometime this autumn.
- H I P _ H O P _ V I L L A G E
The Killer Meters don’t do Meters’ covers anymore. Well, they probably do, but they’re more interested in stuff like this now. By ‘stuff like this’ read filthy and super-heavy Betty Davis’ style funk with a few later seventies frills’ like pitch bending synths on the aptly named Freak and super heavy northern soul in the form of Stomp with a few gritty edges like an almost garage-rock guitar. In fact whatever they’re doing, it’s probably super heavy. “I can’t take my eyes off the beat/ And he can’t take his eyes off of me,†sings Karime Kendra. I have no doubts about that whatsoever.
- M O N K E Y B O X I N G
Future floor filler 'Dance Move Shake' implores you to turn it up to wall rattling volumes, as Karime's incredible voice soars through into 'Black Mountain'. With a serious groove tying the song together, she sweetly coo's "damn my head is floatin / from havin a puff, havin a sniff, havin a drink".
Bust these storming tunes at any party and you'll blow the roof off the place
- A R T R O C K E R
When it comes to the scourge of the 'modern funk' band, you can divide them into two distinct camps: those who can and those who can't. Those who can write original tunes, play with character and genuine understanding and basically feel that funk (Poets, QSO et al). Those who can't tend to apply the same one-dimensional JB template and then just simply go through the motions (Brownout, Speedometer et al). Thankfully The Killer Meters can… and do.
- D J M A G
A Sexy, sassy and funkelicious monster from the never-shy and returning TKM-that shit is just naaaaaasty, mofo!
- S U B B A C U L T C H A
"Incredible..."
- M A R K _ L A M A R R, B B C R A D I O 2
For all enquiries : [email protected]
Band website : www.killermeters.com
Record Label : Breakin Bread