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Although in the lower echelons of the funk world there are many imitators and sound-a-likes, such is not the case with the great innovators of the style. James Brown, The P-funk mob, Sly Stone and The Meters all have their own individual approach and each artist stands alone as one of the four separate pillars of the original funk sound. In the world of popular culture, The Meters never got the same attention as the other three. I would imagine the lack of an outrageous central personality along the lines of James, Sly, George Clinton or Bootsie has more to do with this than any shortcomings in their musicianship. The Meters unique approach consists of pure un-distilled New Orleans flavored funky RnB with no overdubs or add-ons, just four very syncopated rhythm players interlocking in difficult to reproduce patterns with an occasional short B3 or guitar solo.
If you only buy one Meters CD, ‘Look-Ka Py Py’ might be the one to get. Every song on here is a killer instrumental with the best riffs and hooks in the business. Many of these songs were major hits on the RnB charts at the time, so this CD almost comes across like a greatest hits collection. Meters songs are usually short and to the point. The verses tend to be built on tough minimal RnB riffs that are irresistibly funky, followed by melodic choruses that are influenced by some of the best artsy pop of the day such as the late 60s Beatles or Stevie Wonder. Like many other instrumental bands in the late 60s, the Meters also used 'spaghetti western' movie theme type melodies in their music as well. Although the songs tend to be short, The Meters will often still find room to work in a progressive chord sequence or arrangement as was the style with many rock and RnB bands during this creative time period in music.
Everyone in The Meters is tops on their instrument, but the one person who really defines their sound is drummer Zigaboo Modeleste. Zigaboo doesn’t play a lot of notes, his beats are spare and dry, but his syncopations are unmistakably his and very hard for drummers to duplicate correctly. The sources for his unique patterns include New Orleans front lines, reggae and African traditions passed down in the southern US.
I highly recommend this CD for anyone who is looking to make their first step into the world of funk. The Meter’s music crosses generational and racial divides and has fans all over the world.