Boulevards - Groove! (2016)

Jamil Rashad, a/k/a Boulevards, is the embodiment of funk. Taking queues from pioneers such as Prince, Rick James, and Earth Wind & Fire, Boulevards seamlessly delivers cheeky, party-themed jams that range from raw and risque to soulful on his debut LP Groove! Boulevards evokes a spirit from a time that combined intricate production with a focus on rhythm and getting people back on the dance floor. With Groove!, Boulevards does just that. On tracks like "Patience," Rashad melds pop with vintage hip-hop elements -- think Eddie Murphy meets The Sugarhill Gang -- and it just works. "Cold Call" introduces a slow hypnotic groove before a symphony of synths, creating a rhythmic cadence that stays with you even after the party is over. However, to give Groove! merit solely based on nostalgia would be a mistake. Groove! is not just a rework of a classic sound - it is an intelligent collection, an evolution to reign in a new era of funk - heard via the disco pulses on tracks like "Weekend Love" and "Up On Your Love," nodding to industry giants like Pharrell and Breakbot.