Some of the original funk masters that I can think of have a great album in 1974’s “Rejuvenation”. So many of my current favorite artists to listen to have some roots in New Orleans: Quintron, Dr. John, The Meters – there’s something incredibly infectious, groovy, and authentic that begs to be listened to about it. This album, “Rejuvenation”, is exactly all those three things and more.
The album starts out with a great funky track in “People Say”, and transitions to a great warm groovy and energetic track with “Love Is for Me” that keeps the groove going. Things really get rocking with the wah-wah intro of “Just Kissed My Baby” that both feels like some proto-early disco and some sort of funk rock at the same time.
“What’cha Say” starts in a pretty exploratory way, and the track feels like a great groove the band got to have while making the album – definitely a fun listen that’s a little less intense lyrically and more instrument-focused with a pretty sick breakdown. “Jungle Man” has an absolutely sick rhythm to it – the track just feels and sounds so cool that it’s hard not to talk about its sick groove. I’ve only ever heard Look-Ka Ky Py (1969) by The Meters before this, and so far this album is such a different dimension and still so fresh and funky.
Holy smokes – the piano intro to “Hey Pocky A-Way” just came on and its amazing – my ears are so happy listening to it. Fellow Deadheads might recognize this track due to the Grateful Dead covering it from time to time, and hearing the original with that New Orleans, Louisiana flare is really so stunning and pleasant to listen to – it feels so authentic. I couldn’t tell you what on earth they’re exactly singing about, but you can feel the emotion and you understand, which is something only art and music can do. This track, especially for Deadheads and music lovers, is worth the listen.
The next track “It Ain’t No Use”, starts out so funky and so mean but warm, it’s truly a spectacle to hear. Clocking in just shy of 12 minutes, its a lengthy pleading jam track that really gets The Meters really letting everything flow, and their instruments communicating with one another such that the listener is entangled in a brilliantly woven bluesy funk jam-sesh that makes the 12 minutes seem like mere moments.
The following track, “Loving You Is On My Mind”, has a nice piano riff that really cools things down along with the simple rhythm section after that hot jam, but the guitar jumps in with some spicy bluesy/jazzy/funky parts that makes sure the groove doesn’t cool down too much. The album finishes on the track “Africa”, in which The Meters express through their own funky method their love for home/Africa, and the funky track really ties the album up with a little flavor of each of the previous tracks while exploring some deeper roots of The Meters – the bass in the song is pretty infectious. This album was really exciting to listen to, and at only 40 minutes long, if you enjoy funk in the least bit you’ll likely love the album.
-A