Hobex U Ready Man Tone Cool/Artemis by David Chiu

Led by Carolinian Greg Humphreys, Hobex delivers some really hot buttered funk with some blues and jazz leanings. The sound and musicianship definitely recalls the glories of Stax and Sly Stone on this latest record where the beats and rhythms never lets up for a second. There are some good tracks that showcase some sly instrumental work (organ, wah wah guitar, plunking bass) like "Ode to Billy G" (as in Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top) and "Maybe It's Me"; as well as some cool slinky tracks like on "Baby's Gone Away" and "Li;l Lady." The jumping blues of "Ken's Burn" (a play on words of the name of the famed documentarian) is noteworthy, and my favorite is "Soul Food," which features some blistering soulful female voices and the lyrics alone makes you want to go to Sylvia's. This album represents all that is good with Southern folk done homestyle.