2017 –American Showplace
Music
Release Date : Oct 20,
2017
By Phillip Smith;
Oct. 7, 2017
Transplant,
the debut release from Marcus Randolph My Peeples Peeple, is quite the
captivating and funky listen. Randolph
(founding member of the Robert Randolph and the Family Band) holds
court on drums and vocals, along with both steel and acoustic guitars. Joining Randolph on this recording is
drummer Dwayne “Duce” Snelling Jr, John Ginty on B3 organ and
piano, bassists Michael Randolph Jr, and Walton “A.J.” Mims,
guitarists Will “B.J.” Nelson, Jimmy Bennett, and Joey
Williams, and backing vocalist Shawn “The Bishup” Herbert.
A chill hypnotic beat and a ripping guitar riff usher
the album in on title track, “Transplant”, a song of gratitude to Randolph’s
wife who unselfishly gave him another chance at life by donating one of her
kidneys to him in 2011. I love the swampy
steel guitar on “Sucka” and how it is immersed in a funky Isaac Hayes-era
Stax-friendly jam.
I can’t help but break a smile on “Lift Me Up”. Starting with a simple beat and an acoustic guitar,
this fabulous song grows to a much grander version of itself. Another point of light is “In My Heart”, superbly
performed and sung with the conviction of Stevie Wonder. Randolph slathers extra helpings of tasty
steel guitar on “63 Hog Drive”, an outstanding jammin’ blues instrumental. When joined by the rest of the band, it turns
into one hell of a jamboree.
Transplant
comes to a smooth R&B finish with “Diggin’ Me a Hole” featuring guest
artist Brian Harris aka Wonder on vocals. Eleven tracks of fresh and funky all-original
music grace the album, making for a magnificent record.
---
