Groovopolis

Some artists' names have a way of telling you what type of music you're getting — or at least giving you a general idea. Groovopolis sounds like the name of a funk band; it's the sort of name one would expect from an associate or admirer of George Clinton. And even though this self-titled CD doesn't contain any vocal-oriented funk (à la Parliament/Funkadelic, Cameo, or the Gap Band), it does contain instrumental soul-jazz and jazz-funk. So the name Groovopolis isn't misleading. Recorded in 2001 and 2002, the CD isn't the least bit groundbreaking (by early-'00s standards). Groovopolis is quite mindful of the '70s, and that is true whether the band is getting into original material (most of which was written by guitarist Christopher Cortez) or putting an instrumental spin on Marvin Gaye's 1971 classic, "What's Going On." There is no getting around the fact that this is a very '70s-obsessed album; all of the tracks are undeniably derivative. But derivative doesn't necessarily mean bad. While Groovopolis will never be accused of trying to reinvent the soul-jazz/jazz-funk wheel, this CD is always likable — not earth-shattering or mind-blowing, but likable. And to the band's credit, Groovopolis really does interpret "What's Going On." A lot of smooth jazz/NAC artists would offer either a note-for-note cover or a Muzak version; Groovopolis, however, seriously digs in and brings a jazz improviser's mentality to the table. This is instrumental jazz with major soul and funk leanings, but it's instrumental jazz nonetheless (contrary to what jazz purists and bop snobs would have listeners believe). Although not a masterpiece, Groovopolis is a decent outing that will please the type of die-hard soul-jazz enthusiasts who continue to worship the '70s recordings of Grover Washington, Jr., the Crusaders, Funk, Inc., and Charles Earland.