Chris Joss returns with a smartly written album of swing and funk that proves he is one of the masters of the retro-revival and sets the bar high with Teraphonic Overdubs. Merging downtempo of now with genre-bending melodies, each track keeps the listener guessing and happily waiting for the next unexpected turn.

1. Magic Tubes
2. I Want Freedom
3. Count the Daisies
4. Get With It
5. Jungle Dolls
6. Fatality Strikes
7. Atomic Tape
8. Slack the Slammer
9. Summer Springs
10. Luna Rides Back
11. A Room With a VU Meter
12. Sugelator Action
13. Granted

From the opening notes of "Magic Tubes", the theme is set with 70's rock breakdowns melded with swinging 60's bounce. Teraphonic Overdubs is still steeped with 60's retroism but Joss has moved into the funky 70's as evident on "I want Freedom". The string arrangements and funky strat bring out the mid-70's groove that is universally loved (and you might say you don't dig it, but between you and me we know what's what). "I Want Freedom" also represents how Joss has developed his production skills to make the bass drive, the percussion jump speakers and the vocal chant/sample bring the funky downtempo groove that would stack up against Fort Knox Five and AGFA.

"Count The Daisies" starts off as a light affair but quickly moves into a relentless sitar groove that builds as if James Bond might not escape the volcano lair this time.

"Get With It" does and then some. Easily flowing from happy flower fields to darker menace, this song showcases how strong Joss' songwriting has become. Transitions creep in and out and nothing seems redundant. (I kept saying "Oh, wow").

"Fatality Strikes" and "Slack The Slammer" show off the benefits of being able to play every instrument created and really let Joss add his personality to each sound appearing. It's easy going at first listen but rewind and check it again. Everything happens at the right moment, at the right eq, at the right effect and that is the sign of a composer locked into the song, and it makes things better for those taking the time out to listen.

"Atomic Tape" is another groover. Funky bass, got it. Flute, got it. Sitar, got it. DJ scratching, say what? It works. I said Joss could play anything and I meant it.

"Summer Springs", "Luna Rides Back" and "A Room With A VU Meter" complete the trifecta of mellow 60's a la Sergio Mendez with ba ba vocals, harpsichord and total groovyness.

"Surgelator Action" speeds up the tempo control and hits with more funky downtempo, complemented with some nice bongo action. "Granted" follows with frenetic drumming and organ stabs and super 70's bass/drum breakdowns capped off with sitar and guitar leads tightly pulsing along. A nice touch at the end of Teraphonic Overdubs that compels you to hit play again.

~ Dedric Moore

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