Artist: Fred Wesley Album: New Friends

Year: 1990
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of the Album: New Friends by Fred Wesley

When it comes to funk music, Fred Wesley is a legendary figure in the industry. Known for his work with James Brown, Maceo Parker and the JB's, he has been at the forefront of the genre for over five decades. In 2017, he released a new album titled New Friends, which features collaborations with some of the most exciting musicians on the scene today. In this blog post, we will provide a critical review of the album and give a brief history of the artist, the music genre of the album, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts and our critic to the album.

Fred Wesley has had an incredible career in music. Born in 1943, he started playing the trombone at an early age. He joined the James Brown band in the 1960s and was a significant contributor to Brown's iconic sound. After leaving Brown's band in the early 1970s, he went on to work with George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, among others. Fred Wesley's New Friends album showcases his talent and the many influences that have shaped his music over the years.

The music genre of the album is a mix of funk, jazz, and soul, with a touch of hip hop. The album is a testament to Wesley's versatility as a musician, and he seamlessly blends these genres to create a unique sound. The album's production is impressive, with a clear and defined sound that highlights each instrument's contribution to the music. Wesley's trombone playing is the standout on the album, but the musicians he collaborates with bring their A-game.

The album's best songs include It Ain't Nothin', featuring the vocals of singer-songwriter David Garza. The song has a catchy hook and smooth groove that will have you dancing along in no time. Getcho Money Ready is another standout track. It features rapper Sneaky Pete, and his verses compliment Wesley's trombone playing perfectly. Love Land is a soulful ballad that showcases Wesley's vocal abilities and is a pleasant departure from the album's funkier tracks.

The album's most innovative part is the seamless integration of different genres. The songs never sound like copies of each other, and each one provides something new and exciting for the listener. Wesley's collaborations with other musicians are also noteworthy, and it's clear that he brings the best out of them.

Our critic to the album is that while it's an excellent showcase of Wesley's talent and versatility as a musician, it lacks a clear direction. The album jumps between genres and styles, which can be overwhelming for the listener. Additionally, some of the tracks feel like they were included only to feature the collaborators' talent, rather than to contribute to the overall album's quality.

Overall, Fred Wesley's New Friends album is a must-listen for fans of funk, jazz, and soul music. Wesley's trombone playing is exceptional, and the collaborations with other musicians make this album an exciting and unique listening experience. While there are a few areas for improvement, this album is still an impressive body of work from one of the industry's most iconic figures.

Overall, Fred Wesley's New Friends album is a must-listen for fans of funk, jazz, and soul music. Wesley's trombone playing is exceptional, and the collaborations with other musicians make this album an exciting and unique listening experience. While there are a few areas for improvement, this album is still an impressive body of work from one of the industry's most iconic figures.