MICHAL URBANIAK — Ecstasy (review)

Album · 1978 · RnB

4.5/5 · 2024-12-13
FunkFreak75

Recorded at Rosebud Studios, New York, in June of 1978.

A1. "Body Rub" (4:42) group vocals over funk R&B music conjoins this song with music by funk R&B bands like The OHIO PLAYERS, PARLIAMENT, CAMEO, THE BROTHERS JOHNSON, SLY & THE FAMILY STONE,THE COMMODORES, The GAP BAND, KOOL & THE GANG, DAZZ BAND, GRAHAM CENTRAL STATION, EARTH WIND & FIRE, The ISLEY BROTHERS, and The AVERAGE WHITE BAND. (9/10)

A2. "Free" (4:45) I have to admit to being quite shocked that Michał didn't enlist his superhuman wife to attempt to cover the vocals of this iconic Deniece Williams song--on her own. The credits say she's there but I have to admit that I cannot distinguish her voice from those of the men around her. Still, it's a pretty good rendition: very funky and soulful in the same vein as the above funk R&B artists. (8.875/10)

A3. "Ecstasy" (3:02) this one sounds very much like EARTH, WIND & FIRE or The BROTHERS JOHNSON. (It may be a cover of one of their songs. It's definitely not a cover of The Ohio Players song of the same name.) It may be an original. Great song--with some awesome musicianship across the board (especially from the bass)--and some very creative and spirited electric violin play from Michał. Should've been a radio hit! (9.125/10)

A4. "Just A Funky Feeling" (5:22) stanky funk-blues that sounds like The O'Jays, War, Rufus, Kool & The Gang and many other Funk R&B bands. Great contributions from the percussionists, vocal team, bass player, and saxes. Another absolutely outstanding funk R&B song. You'd be hard-pressed to admit that the band leader and composer was a European white guy! (9.333/10)

B1. "Want's Ta Make You Feel Good" (5:41) this song definitely brings one deep into the fold of the KOOL & THE GANG/BROTHERS JOHNSON/EARTH, WIND & FIRE pocket of smooth, sexy/sultry Funk R&B. Again, I'm pinching myself: Michał Urbaniak! Who knew?! There's even some RICK JAMES in this one. If you love the funk of the late 1970s, you're gonna LOVE this! Awesome! You could not ask for better band and musicianship! (9.5/10)

B2. "A Day In The Park" (4:04) down to the beautiful Smooth Jazz that Michal also excels at--this one serving as a perfect vehicle for some of his wife Urszula's most beautiful vocals--this one worded! Ulla's work here reminds me very much of the work of Patricia Kaas and Deniece Williams--though not so much when she starts her bird like scatting in the third minute--but it's short-lived: she returns to worded singing, mirrored by the nice gentle male voice of either James Crab Robinson, Keith Keyboy Rose, or Rickie Byars-Boger. Lovely. (8.875/10)

B3. "French Kiss" (5:17) now settling into the Smooth Jazz territory pioneered by BOB JAMES and FREDDIE HUBBARD--only with Michał's sexy sax in the lead position. Nice! Nice slap bass play from Pee Wee Ford over Anthony Jackson's far-smoother mellow note play. The slightly-scattered ramped up "chorus" motifs detract a little from the flow and success of the song due to the instrumentalists' inability to stay synchronized with one another (unless it's intentional). It's just a little off-putting. (8.75/10)

B4. "Creation" (6:21) another smoother return to the Jazz-Rock Fusion foundations of Michał's past, here with some nice smooth funk bass and Fender Rhodes support from Anthony Jackson and Kenny Kirkland, respectively. Even Ulla seems at ease and fully on board with this one. (I'm suspecting that the heavier Funk R&B is neither in her interest or comfort zones.) Nice, steady, superior quality and caliber Jazz-Rock Fusion that is, perhaps, lacking a little energy or enthusiasm. (8.75/10)

Urszula's participation here is so minimal--and so muted--that it may have been an indication of A) her displeasure with the direction Michał was taking with their music, B) her dissatisfaction with their marriage, and/or C) her longing to go back to her homeland (Poland).

A-/five stars; a minor masterpiece of Jazz-Rock Fusion that contains five songs (our of eight) that represent some of the Seventies' highest quality Funk R&B--some of the greatest songs that you will ever hear (but probably haven't). A must hear album! Especially if you like Funk R&B!