Corey Parker

Whether or not coincidences exist, it is nonetheless startling to one day think to oneself "Hey, there's not enough jazz and bass-driven funk released nowadays," and then find it in your mailbox the very next. But Corey Parker's amazingly soulful - nearly to the point of being a religious experience - EP pulls off something comparable to James Brown, slightly more focused on the R&B. Even the Poets of Rhythm better watch out for this one, because Parker's Born Funky is prepared to ask that one question every party awaits the answer to - "Got Funk?"

Parker himself has no problem masterminding the lyrics, vocals, and some notable sequences on the keys. You'd better be ready for it all, as Parker isn't even afraid to moonlight as an MC and drop a few heavy lines denser than fudge but that go down just as easy. Indeed, his lyrics exude discontent and seem ready to promote change, yet have no trouble remaining positive. And, although solidly standing alone, Parker gets some decent help from Zaneta Hall, vocals; Mike Duckwell, guitar; Mark Malone, bass; and Damon Parker, drums.

Of course, the complex entirety of the instrumentation drives this funky sound, but Hall's vocals and Parker's drums stand out in particular. A little more percussion and bass would go a long way in producing more of that jam feel, but Maceo Parker's sax cameos bring in just that, more than recovering for balding spots elsewhere. Vocally, the EP runs an smooth operation, and additional harmonies with a pinch more soul as in Prince's true form, especially layered over the existing, only serve to save the funk. If you think you're prepared to "Move a Lil' Bit," check out the track by that title as it'll get you going; and, for the more politically interested, "Affirmative Action" comes with a gold leaf seal of approval. What has funk been waiting for? Apparently, it's Corey Parker's mocha-syrup leaden vocals and get down or get out attitude. Check out the next wave Funkadelic and tonight, make it funky. - Genevieve Will

I haven’t heard an album title more appropriate in a long time. Corey Parker must have entered this world via the womb of funk. He’s performed with the likes of Prince and Ani DiFranco and had his debut “Subliminal Souls” nominated in ’04 for the Independent Music Award. So to say that I’m surprised at the level of creativity and talent is somewhat of a misnomer—I should have rightly been prepared to funk it to the extreme. But hell all the accolades in the world wouldn’t prepare you for the groovy bass, the slick production, and the dynamic soulful vocals that dominate the album. Wicked. - smother.net

As bloodlines go, they don’t get much more authentic than Corey Parker’s. His father is Maceo Parker, the legendary North Carolina saxophonist who has played with everyone from James Brown to Ani DiFranco to Prince.

Now the younger Parker is set to explode on the funk scene with his own seven-piece band out of Raleigh. The Corey Parker Band will perform at Murphy’s in Boone on Saturday, January 15. The music starts at 10 p.m. and admission is only $5.

Since 1995, Corey Parker has toured and played with his father’s band. His latest project is the Corey Parker Band. The seven-piece unit builds upon the foundation of Maceo and ads its own generation’s elements of R&B, hip-hop and soul/rock.

Many music fans are already familiar with the soulful sound of Corey Parker’s voice, whether they know it or not. He recently recorded a remake of the Isley Brothers classic “I’ve Got Work To Do,” with his father’s band, and also sang with DiFranco on the song “Swing” from her recent To The Teeth album.

Of Parker’s first album, Subliminal Souls, musician and music critic for the Independent Weekly, Kirk Ross wrote, “On his debut, the New York-born, North Carolina-raised Corey Parker bares his soul, laying it on the line for the ladies in his life by way of simple, annunciated cadences over production that runs the gamut from souled-out smoothness (‘I Wanna Know’) to A Tribe Called Quest-meets-Spearhead rock/funk work of the socially geared reflections like ‘Pump Ya Fist,’ which leans on an Ani DiFranco guest spot for its temper and tenacity. Parker’s as-of-now more famous father Maceo makes a guest appearance on this star-studded debut as well, spattering hiccups on a make-up song that would make about any pops proud.”

Parker and his band have another album in the mix, one that is slated for a spring 2005 release. The new album’s first single, “Born Funky,” is already getting some serious spins at WNCU-FM in Durham and other progressive music radio stations.

For more information on Saturday’s show, call Murphy’s at (828) 264-5117. - The Mountain Time, Boone, NC - By Jeff Eason

…Next thing anyone knew the "shucks" were popping and the groove had returned. After the break, Maceo pounded out the crowd-pleasing "Shake Everything Ya' Got" as well as "Move Your Body," during which JB's favorite sax-man knowingly or unknowingly let his son, Corey Parker, steal the show.

The younger Parker, who spent much of the show on back-up vocals, took the lead from his pops several times, most notably during "Move Your Body" and "Got to Get Ya.'" C-Parker's free-flowing rap style proved to be an adrenaline shot at times when Maceo's groove was becoming more repetitious than "funky." Corey Parker didn't just take the mic; he assaulted it, drenching his words over the background of his father's sax and quenching the audience's thirst for a splash of hip-hop.

I might, in fact, be inclined to say that Maceo's half-an-hour encore would have been funk-overload (pun-intended) had Corey Parker not been there to keep the groove fresh. As it was, though, Maceo and his orchestra showed the crowds too many angles of the groove to make their three-hours on stage anything but funky fresh. We love you too, Maceo. - Mark Harrison

"...his son Corey's entertaining rap features (Those Girls and Off The Hook) are terrific..." - MOJO (UK)

“On his debut, the New York-born, North Carolina-raised Corey Parker bares his soul, laying it on the line for the ladies in his life by way of simple, annunciated cadences over production that runs the gamut from souled-out smoothness ("I Wanna Know") to A Tribe Called Quest-meets-Spearhead rock/funk work of the socially geared reflections like "Pump Ya Fist," which leans on an Ani Difranco guest spot for its temper and tenacity. Parker's as-of-now more famous father Maceo makes a guest appearance on this star-studded debut as well, spattering hiccups on a make-up song that would make about any pops proud.” - INDEPENDENT WEEKLY - Kirk Ross

“Corey Parker, Maceo's son and one of the band's three vocal artists who update funk standards with edgy chuffing sounds, took center stage for a couple of high-minded rap runs, showing a sure touch for lyric dexterity and strutting dance moves.” - By L. Peat O'Neil

“...Parker’s son Corey gave several rap breaks throughout the night and otherwise added his voice to the band’s two other backup singers. Late in the show, father and son moved forward to dance in unison, steps the Temptations and Four Tops would have been proud to display in their heyday...” - By Owen Cordle

“Subliminal Souls blends hip-hop lyrics & live musical instruments to create a sound that's both soulful & funky--or, as they're calling it these days, neo-funk. Parker puts down a confident rap vocal that evokes memories of Cameo's Larry Blackmon during the Atlanta-based funk group's heyday in the mid-'80s.” - Gabriel Rich

“On the turntable-scratching, ‘Swing,’ (Ani DiFranco) the indie rabble-rouser slings slang with guest rapper, Corey Parker.” (written about Corey’s 1st recording collaboration with Ani DiFranco.) - Neva Chonin