You’ll often find those of us who grew up in the 90s taking an unusual amount of pride in that era, as though the “quality” of a decade could be summed up by an objective analysis of Nickelodeon shows that aired during that period. So-called “90s kids” would do well to self-mitigate their tunnel vision and look back a decade or two, because in between all of the “you’re a goddamn commie!” accusations and regrettable neon furniture, funk music — and the dance floor vibe that went along with it — was buzzing across the US, retroactively putting to shame even that one episode where Doug, Skeeter, and Roger go to Funkytown for Halloween, with hilarious consequences. The Raleigh-based Jamil Rashad a.k.a. Boulevards is ensuring we don’t forget the musical funk by releasing his debut full-length in Spring 2016. The as-yet untitled album will be released on Brooklyn-based label Captured Tracks.
In the meantime, those looking to get re-acquainted with impossibly groovy bass lines and lyrics that tend toward sexual oozing should look to Boulevards’s self-titled EP, which was released about a month ago. You might say that Rashad’s music is about as timeless as jean jackets, but only in the context of him. Let (most of) us not fool ourselves into thinking we can pull that style off in present-day.
Here’s a track from the EP:
Catch Boulevards next month at the Mercury Lounge (November 18) and Baby’s All Right (November 19).
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