Former Earth Wind & Fire drummer Sonny Emory has a mind-blowing technique whereby he can carry two or three rhythms simultaneously with subtle delicacy rather than percussive power.
Unfortunately, it’s so subtle that only another drummer can appreciate it. To the rest of us, it just sounds like he’s not keeping time properly. He keeps his dexterity under control for this funky R&B solo excursion that regularly doffs its cap to Sly & The Family Stone, sometimes more blatantly than others.
He’s written most of the tracks in tandem with his equally funkified session players, although he takes a wild swing at Edgar Winter’s Frankenstein and a more reverential take on Mother’s Finest’s Truth’ll Set U Free that features a concise solo from Eric Clapton. As a workout it’s impressive, although by the end you’re yearning for a bit more groove and a little less technique.
