Chin Chin and The Flashing, The Fancing

Definitive Jux, the label known for producing some of the greatest independent hip hop on the planet has just released the second album by funky soul pioneers Chin Chin. Featuring an impressive roster of sidemen and soloists with credits including TV On The Radio, Medeski Martin and Wood, Spoon, Antibalas, Sinead O'Connor, Blonde Redhead, Cibbo Matto, The Temptations, The Delfonics, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, you, your kids, and your neighbors the record is a bit of a stepping out point for not only Def Jux but Chin Chin as well. This is a group (and for that matter a label) that is unafraid to go about things differently and that's clearly evident throughout The Flashing, The Fancing Chin Chin's latest effort.Chin Chin is a band that answers the question what would happen if Jamiroquai moved to New York settled down, left his cars, and brought his disco funk pop with him. This is a group that is so rooted in creating endless amounts of grooves that it's as if they were coming of an assembly line ready for use. The great thing about their nearly robotic efficiency is that it doesn't matter what the tempo of the grooves are, they just keep coming and they work with whatever collaborator or idea the band has. The end result of this is The Flashing, The Fancingsounding something like the soundtrack to a discofied tale of urban renewal and youth.

The Flashing, The Fancing is a sophisticated listen with dark edges and moody surroundings that's a bit psychedelic, a bit soul, and a bit chilled but always centered around a groove. It's obviously very dancefloor friendly but it's also smooth, seductive and wants to have its way with you and chances are it probably will. "Go There With You," is a perfect example of Chin Chin's overpowering prowess. It's bass line slinks its way across the floor, it's horns kick up the groove and the song is charged with energy; it's as sexy as it is musical and it's as contagious as the flu. Much of The Flashing, The Fancing is like that and that's what makes this record a funk dream come true.
Chin Chin have taken their extensive list of collaborators and put them to good use on The Flashing, The Fancing. Their experience, ideas, and ability to adapt have helped Chin Chin come up with a record that's clearly open to creativity without sacrificing one ounce of soulfulness or funkability. That ability is a tribute to Chin Chin's talent as musicians and makes The Flashing, The Fancing an even cooler record. If you like your funk chilled with a side order of disco, then The Flashing, The Fancing will have you reaching for your platform shoes and heading to the dancefloor.