Plat du Jour : Brick - Summer Heat (1981)

Chronique AMG

Although best remembered for their chart-topping 1976 single “Dazz,” Brick nevertheless carved a nice niche for themselves in the annals of jazzy funk and the release of their final album, Summer Heat, saw them exit the stage in a blaze of glory. Under the nimble fingers of producer Ray Parker, Jr., they hashed together a solid set. And while Parker may now be better-known for penning the hit theme song to 1984′s Ghostbusters soundtrack, he is better known in funk circles for his earlier unions with Barry White, Rufus, Bobby Womack, and Herbie Hancock among others. It is this rich musical portfolio that helped Brick reach back to their own halcyon days to create such a superb sound. The urgent “Sweat (Til You Get Wet)” is pure early era Brick, packed with solid horn breaks, sexy guitars, and jamming bridge. As a single, the song deservedly returned the band back in the Top Ten. “Wide Open” also reins in the beat enough to create an instant party. But, although we know that Brick can stand alone with energetic funk fests, the band also proves themselves equally proficient and comfortable with a mellower mood. Both “Sea Side Vibes” and the Ray Parker, Jr.-penned “Babe” are effective soul ballads. And, even though Brick disbanded not long after Summer Heat, they managed to cap a musical canon with panache. Not many bands can claim that feat. 

L'addition : Disco-Jazz, Jazz-Funk ou simplement Funk, peu importe ! Ce groupe formé à Atlanta dans les années 70 est un de nos préférés. Pour comprendre pourquoi, écoutez cette ballade dantesque dans une bagnole sans clim en plein mois d'Aout, quand le cuir du siège brûle les cuisses et que les lunettes de soleil protègent de la céssité immédiate ! Summer Heat de 1981 est une ode au soleil, à l'évasion et au Groove. Brick, c'est simple mais magique, une sorte d'autobrozant de luxe pour l'hypophyse !