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2026 – Sound Mind Records
Release Date : July 31, 2026
By Phillip
Smith; June
21, 2026
Michael Hampton is one of my all-time favorite guitarists. His contributions to the P-Funk
movement are legendary. Earlier in
December, Into the Public Domain, the first mini-album of a
three-release project came out, and I was ecstatic to hear it. It is an amazing listen. Co-produced by Joe Nicolo and Philip
Samuel Smith, Hampton’s second installment King Kong is even
more astonishing. In all my years, I never
thought I would hear a psychedelic funk-opera about Skull Island’s
grandest resident, but here it is, in all of its avant-garde glory. Joining Hampton on this recording are
vocalists Chelsea Viacava, MARE Floyd, and Brandon Pane,
bassists Mitch Beer and David Toner, Louie Diller on drums/keys,
Matt Lesser on drums, Micke LaBombard on horns, John Scheffler
on pedal steel guitar, and Philip Samuel Smith on guitar.
The musical journey begins with the tribal beat, enchanting vocals, and spoken word introduction from “King Kong Theme”. The guitar-forged grunts and growls along with the up-tempo rhythm creates a heart-racing moment of excitement for me. Chirping birds and a delicate guitar performance prompt a wave of peacefulness to wash over with “Morning in the Jungle”. The birds turn to roost, and the frogs and crickets make themselves known as Hampton seemingly invokes the magnificent sounds of the “Jungle Nights”. A rushing beat, psychedelic guitar licks, and haunting vocals masterfully build up tension as the mighty Kong collapses on “Capture!”. The pulsing rhythm continues to churn through the King of the Jungle’s tranquilizer-induced state as cosmic guitar licks waft in and out of awareness on “Trouble in NY For the King”. It’s quite mesmerizing. A narrative postlude and infectious melody conclude the tale of Kong with “Beauty Killed the Beast”. The way Hampton melds surf guitar and funk is absolutely brilliant.
Michael Hampton’s King Kong is an extraordinary work. Funk fans, and guitar aficionados will definitely want to give this one a listen.
Check out the PhillyCheeze
review for Michael Hampton’s Into the Public Domain here ->
https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2026/02/796-michael-hampton-into-public-domain.html?q=michael+hampton
For more information about Michael
Hampton, visit https://michaelhampton.bandcamp.com/music