2025 – Sound Mind Records
By Phillip
Smith; Feb.
5, 2026
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
Being as much of a fan of Parliament-Funkadelic
as I am, I was very excited to see this new album from funk-meister extraordinaire
and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Michael Hampton. As Kidd
Funkadelic, Hampton played guitar on some of my all-time favorite
songs. Into the Public Domain consists
of seven fabulous instrumental guitar-centric tracks produced by Joe Nicolo,
Michael Hampton, Philip Samuel Smith, and John Schreffler.
With Hampton front and center on
lead guitar, he is joined by Smith on rhythm guitar, Schreffler
on pedal steel guitar, Matt Lesser on drums, Mike Labombard on
saxophone, Shooter Jennings on keys, and guest production, with Phil
Keaggy guest-appearing on lead guitar.
“Fight or Flight” the first track, sets the stage with a racing rhythm and soaring guitar for a mind-blowing experience. The way Hampton throws every music genre together into the blender for a minute-and-a-half long “Canyon Jam” is masterful. The song begs to be heard over and over to capture every nuance and lick. Loaded with horns and peppered with slide guitar, this one is a fine example of ‘lightning in a bottle’. “Public Domaine” is a full-on sonic bath of sound with an ever-growing push-and-pull intensity. I absolutely love it. “Steve’s Kaddilac” is more reminiscent of that P-Funk sound, and damn it’s a fun ride. It really digs its way into my brain. If cowboy-funk is a thing, “Technicolor Mobile Home” is definitely it. To hear the assorted melodies geniusly stacked on top of each other leaves me short of breath.
Michael Hampton’s Into the Public Domain is surely a recording guitar aficionados will want to seek out. It’s outstanding!
Found on Bandcamp