Zbonics: Time to Do Your Thing

Former Greyboy Allstars drummer Zak Najor keeps it real in his own funky way with a mixtape of an album, recorded in the gaps in his schedule over the past decade with a series of stellar studio bands. They've usually included the late, legendary Melvin Sparks on guitar, big time session saxophonist Karl Denson, and the recently-in-Ireland, soon-to-be-everywhere vocalist Gregory Porter. Najor numbers funk icon Fred Wesley among his previous associates, so it's no surprise that the drummer's debut is all about the groove. To sweeten the deal, the superb Porter is much more than a guest here, co-writing some songs and generally scattering his warm-hearted, laid-back stardust over Najor's thang. Recorded live, with no samples or sequences, this is old-school soul jazz with enough edge to satisfy hardcore funk fans. propermusic.com