Ruffyunz - 'Ruffyunz'

(Independent)

This debut album from Ruffyunz is billed as been by an all-star line-up, but I’m unfamiliar with most the names involved besides Pat Travers who has a guest appearance. After one play through of the album I realised they missed a trick when naming themselves they really should have gone for Funkyunz because the one word that hit me again and again as I was listening was Funk!

I found it really hard to pin down a specific sound to declare Ruffyunz as, there’s a touch of rock and a bit of blues but this is NOT a blues rock album. It is strongly Funk and I could easily throw traditional R&B, jazz and soul into my descriptions. Time and time again thoughts of Stevie Wonder came to mind, but that could just be the funky side of the music that’s leaning me in that direction. I suppose a closer comparison might be Glenn Hughes’s funk albums as they obviously have a guitar edge that Wonder doesn’t. Maybe even some Prince.

I’d find it hard to push this album to rock fans, unless they are personally very eclectic as it veers more towards other genres of music more so than its rock elements. I can’t lambast the album as it’s more about personal taste, this style of music really doesn’t excite or interest me. So, it would be wrong of me to bemoan the quality of the song writing or criticise the musicianship on display. I know many rockers struggle with Funk and rock bands who have utilised this style are very few and far between, Extreme been possibly the most notable off the top of my head, but their sound was dramatically more rock and guitar heavy than the Ruffyunz. So, if you don’t do the Funk, stay the Funk away from this one!

This album lacks any real bite for me and I can’t see hardcore rockers been entertained by the Ruffyunz. This is one for eclectic rockers only or those with a more open-minded musical palate.

3/10

Review By Woody