The Fun Ones

While hes known for his masterful blend of sounds from all eras, on The Fun Ones RJD2 digs deeper into the 70s vibe of 2016s Dame Fortune. Considering how easily he evokes the heyday of the Meters and James Brown with the down-and-dirty grooves and tumbling breakdowns of No Helmet Up Indianola or the slinky guitars and brass hits of Indoor Smores, the album couldve just as easily been called The Funky Ones. However, plenty of RJD2s personality and range shines through the albums concept. The Fun Ones has a mixtape-like flow thanks to the excerpts of conversations about their legacy of musical creativity with Phonte Coleman, Kid Koala, Mr. Lif, and other friends and peers that are sprinkled through the album. Likewise, RJD2 recruits some well-chosen collaborators for The Fun Ones vocal tracks. The mix of past, present, and future sounds especially inspired on Pull Up On Love, a James Brown homage updated with rhymes from STS (Im tryin to play it cool/Smooth in the Donny Hatha-way is particularly witty), crooning courtesy of Jordan Brown, and stylish production assists from Khari Mateen. RJD2 reunites with Aceyalone for their first track together since 2006 on A Genuine Gentleman, where a prickly clavinet adds just the right amount of nostalgia as the rapper muses on the passing of time and the power of music. The Fun Ones instrumentals are just as compelling, whether its the luxe combination of strings, clarinet, scratching, and busy bass of 20 Grand Palace, the ebb and flow of And It Sold for 45K, or the audacious slicing and dicing and menacing mood of High Street Will Never Die. As always, some of these tracks are just waiting to make their screen debut: My Very Own Burglar Neighbor is ready for its closeup on the soundtrack to an ultra-stylish caper. On this generous love letter to making music, RJD2 doesnt skimp on the fun or the funk. As a result, The Fun Ones is both heartfelt and makes you feel a little cooler while youre listening to it. ~ Heather Phares