Greyboy Allstars

Funk-oriented groups that depend heavily on samples and programming will often suck live, but you'd think a band that releases righteously funky albums played on live instruments will tear the roof off in concert. The Greyboy Allstars can snap your head back with their funk torque, but on this concert recording, the tepid grooves would have you believe they're playing an art opening, not a sweatbox club. Normally, the horn section, along with the rhythm section, is the real engine of live funk, but Karl Denson's sax is the main culprit, turning so much of the album into slightly more heated David Sanborn territory. Whether it's a lousy club mix or they're just playing it safe, you're still waiting for the Allstar to get funked up even when they've said their good nights.