The first brass squirt, tells you that this is going to be quality funk in its purest form. Osaka Monaurail’s opening riff sounds remarkably like James Brown’s Sex Machine before dropping down into a choppy guitar groove which allows Marva Whitney to exercise her considerable vocal talent over.
He’s Mine is a throwback to the days of jazz but rearranged in the James Brown style, while follow up It’s Her Thing is the instrumental version of a zoot suit. It jive walks with so much colour and pizzazz that you want to stick a feather in your cap and step to your Cadillac.
Marva chats to us on (Let A Sister Come In And) Wrapp Things Up (Part 3) which gives the impression that you are sitting back in a smokey club taking it all in. If at this point you weren’t convinced of Whitney’s abilities, it is within this song that she displays so much of her amazing range and depth. Marva Whitney owns a vocal control to rival the great diva’s. But if you want your hair to stand on end fast forward to track ten, Peace In The Valley .
Next, James Brown’s Give it Up or Turn it Loose is given a treatment, nicely cementing the style of the album. Osaka Monaurail’s excellence of execution is superb. So much clarity from the bass, guitar and brass section, while the drums are crisp and understated. This song leaves you wishing that Japan’s pimpinest export would indeed turn it loose, however the next offering is quite the opposite. Marva takes on the slow and low Alicia Keys’ track, _Every Little Bit Hurts _ before the band steps up a little for a final instrumental song entitled We Sing Soul .
With the band over and out, a lone grand piano accompanies one of the truly great voices in gospel, on, Peace In The Valley . This is a magnificently arranged piece of emotive music even on digital format. Your heart will stir, your eyes will well. You will hear somebody who is truly blessed in her purest voice. Alleluia!
Check out thisarchival footage of Marva
