Wintertijd

Freak Power

The other day I wrote about finding Ashley Slater on a compilation and that caused me to dust off my Freak Power records once more. As indicated, I never knew Fatboy Slim was involved in them. The only reason I ever knew Freak Power is because a Levi's commercial prominently featured their song Turn on, Tune in, Cop out which then went on to become a minor hit in Holland after the commercial gained popularity. Many people who don't know Freak Power still know that song, and many consider it to be their signature song. Now I decided to buy their album when I heard that song, and I was pleasantly surprised.

Unlike many albums I bought at that stage in my life, the self-titled "Freak Power" is still as listenable today as it was when I first got it. They blend funky sounds with a laid-back production that flirts with R&B, Soul and Hip-Hop, albeit in a way that reminds more of Dee-lite than Cypress Hill, if you catch my drift. Groove is in the heart, baby! Yeah! It's a very nice album, and funnily enough I think Turn on, Tune in, Cop out is one of the weaker songs on it. Their excellent cover of the Sly Stone tune "Running Away" is extremely cool, the hip-hop oriented "Big Time" is a solid head-bobber, "The Whip" and "Rush" offer lovely light grooves....

While lyrically it's all very much about respecting brothers and sisters, loving the world and generally having a good time, some of the things you hear are quite cool. "Moonbeam Woman" is really very naughty while the second song I'm offering for download here is about as much on the money as you can be. So please enjoy:

Change My Mind
When it comes to affairs of the head,
I always find that the better hung are the well read.
See that sat beneath the tree of thought,
Well five'll get you ten that it's me.
If ignorance is paradise, I don't agree.

Every minute I try
To change my mind.
Every minute I try
To change my mind.

When it comes to affairs of the leg,
Don't try to purchase the tapestry off the peg.
You might be sitting all alone in your room,
flying in an armchair ride.
You'll always find when you're looking out,
you'll see inside.

Something in this world has changed my mind I find,
I took a trip to heaven on the wings of womankind.
Something in this world makes every sense, experience,
take me to Utopia, to hell with the expense
'cause I try, yeah

When it comes to affairs of the mouth,
Come sup the sociable seminar in the deep south.
Don't tell me that talk is cheap,
when it's clear as my nose that it's not.
We make up all the characters, but not the plot.

Posted by Chris at November 22, 2008 09:50 PM