Album reviews…
This is such a new direction for The Fantastics! its totally unrecognisable as the same band. I’m not saying its a good or bad thing because their previous recordings were already fantastic, and this equally so. The sound is so much bigger and diverse and very intricate production. There is no way this as made over a couple of days as its obvious that that a lot of time and energy has gone into the arrangements. The boys are playing great on here and Sulene Fleming is sounding particularly great as a guest singer, with 'Cold Case' the outstanding track on the album for me. Surely a club classic?
Snowboy (Blues & Soul)
There's everything from hot jazz funk work outs through to zesty jazz dance, a slice
of afrobeat and a huge wallop of funk rock. Not to mention wailing harmonica and
spacey pyschedelica. A measured, medley of musicianly tunes that will grow on you
like a slow unfolding seduction. Savour it like a fine single malt, It's a damn fine
album.
Emrys Baird (Blues And Soul)
THE FANTASTICS! are back with their inimitable
funky sound for Freestyle Records on their new album 'All The People. Checkout the
brilliant soul cut 'Somewhere Finally' featuring the vocals of Sulene Fleming. There's
certainly plenty to keep the boogaloo crowd happy as well with funky gems such as
'Mushroom Strut', 'Sweetback', 'All The People' and 'The Bone Breaker.
Mark Coddington
(Manifesto Magazine)
You may have been expecting another helping of greasy Hammond
funk for the Fantastics! second release on Freestyle Records but what you get is
far more varied, encompassing many of the varied influences of the band, yet without
becoming a self-
The
Fantastics! are back and it's 'Seriously Funky'.
Aja (Ketch A Vibe)
Really enjoying
this on a first listen -
Quality production and well written
grooves that takes the listener on a great journey into Great British Soul Jazz with
all it's sexy bits hanging out for all to see! Cecil’s Slide is the stand out track
for me. Something very special indeed!
Smoove (Jalapeno records)
If you were looking
for some reason to funk, grab your soul and put the boogie shoes on it, The Fantastics!
will take you to the funk room.
MisterG (Green Arrow Radio)
A highly accomplished second
album from a band that continues to explore its various different influences to produce
an eclectic mix. Simply fantastic!
Sean Smith (Tokyo Jazz Notes)
'I Breathe' could
be one of my funky favourites of the year!
DJ Ottic (Alooga Radio)
A sublime album
of Jazz tinged Funk,aided by the wonderful vocals of Sulene Fleming.
Paul Abbott (www.starpointradio.com)
Proper
release. I can't stop listening to it!
Mark Milz (Radio Corax 95.9fm)
Love the crossover
between jazz, spaced out soul and afrobeat. Very, very nice. 'Fantastic' is now more
than merely an exclamation of joy, it now hits the soul spot too! Soul-
C'est magnifique!
Michael Stukes (WHCR 90.3 FM NYC)
Funky and fresh sounds,
really good vibes, I can't fault it in anyway, uber cool!
Grant T Paterson (The Edinburgh
Guide)
Funky, feel good music infused with soul and groovability.
Scott Fugate (Soulandjazz.com)
Soulful
work! Smooth and deep!
Ivan Mera (CUAC FM)
Intelligent funk, soul breaks for people
who like proper music.
Marcus Hurley (Soulectric.co.uk)
Diggin’ the grooves of All
The People pt. 1 and The Bone Breaker. The bluesy numbers featuring Sulene Fleming
will definitely be getting airtime. Really liking the diversity of styles and quality
of this one, a very enjoyable listen.
Corey Hudson (The Soul Funk Experiment)
Overlook
this offering by The Fantasics! at your peril!
Gary Turner (The Hot Box Show)
It's
clear why Mighty Righteous was so well received: this is another eclectic (and fantastic!)
journey across black music.
Santiago Tadeo Cervera (Acid Jazz Hispano)
Modern grooves
for modern people.
FRANCESCO ADINOLFI (Rai Radio 2, Italy)
The Fantastics! are back
and it is massive !!! Mr B and his men are on top form with a new approach to the
groove. If you know that one of the greatest soul sisters Sulene Fleming has joined
them on this album, you can easily imagine how it is going to be,: great vocals,
great instrumentals (heavy funk, afro, latin, blues, soul) all that in one album!
Stefan
Garcia (Saint Paul Soul Jazz)
Damn good quality album!!
Simon Harrison (Basic Soul
Radio Show)
Their 2009 album 'Mighty Righteous' was played to death by Mark Lamar
and Craig Charles and both those taste making DJs will be delighted with this new
11 tracker since it serves up lots more of the same, but with the bonus of three
big vocals courtesy of Sulene Fleming. In Ms Fleming the Fantastics! have found a
treasure!
Bill Buckley (Soulandjazz.com)
Ever since the release of the brilliant single
'Somewhere Finally' we've been waiting for the album, and it's finally here. 'All
The People' is a very good album, which sees the London band in fine form.
Paul Miller
(BBC 3 Counties)