Album Review abortmag.com THE CARPS - The Young & Passionate Days Of Carpedia (EP) Reported by: Grimm Culhane The evolution of funk has come a long way from its origins in the mid to late 1960s. Such artists as James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone and George Clinton built on the Motown sound and created intense vamp driven songs using strong bass guitar riffs and bass lines as the centerpiece. Once Jimi Hendrix hit the scene and started combining the rhythms and riffs of early funk with his own distinct rock sound the genre of “funk-rock” was born. Today funk-rock is becoming a rarity. Bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Primus, and Mr. Bungle do tip their collective hats to past masters and are keeping the genre alive, but not to the extent it previously enjoyed. Thankfully there are bands like Canada’s own The Carps whose funk-rock Puritanism returns one’s faith in the longevity of the genre. Better late than never, The Carps are a duo with a cause. Coming out of Scarborough may have a lot to do with that or maybe their just pissed off musicians with something important to say. Bass player Neil White plays some very funky bass here while drummer Jahmal Tonge, (who also does duties on guitar, keyboards and vocals), really rips this one up. Tonge’s vocal stylings will unavoidably be compared to those of Lenny Kravitz, but you can’t hold that against him. Their musicianship and pure funk-rock sensibilities make further comparisons a mute point; breaking new ground is never easy. This is one of those records that makes one anticipate a full length release and wonder what they’re like live. While not a new development, the recent surge of dynamic musical duos (some good, some horribly annoying), is an interesting trend. Studio manipulation and multi-instrumental talent is not always a guarantee of quality recordings though. This “less is more” mentality isn’t always wise, especially if you are among the “less” and have no idea when to stop making “more.” The Carps, however, prove you don’t need a huge funking band to make a huge funking sound. Not a bad start.