Chris Joss returns just a year after the brilliantly-funky Teraphonic Overdubs and it sounds as if he took five minutes off and then started recording again. So after hearing how the world is going to collapse, it's great to listen to something uplifting and creative.

1. Little Nature
2. Surrounded
3. Charmer
4. Danger Buds
5. Rififi Rococo
6. Root Juice
7. Melisma Mercury
8. Night Scare
9. Tune Down
10. Zingy Twangs
11. A Soft Reprise
12. Tea Age Sea

Sticks starts with "Little Nature" and is lead by a low end bass groove that leaves room for the sitar and organ trading licks. It's refreshing to hear that Joss continues to build his songs with twists and turns, addressing the nagging loop-based song structure that has watered down so much funky downtempo. Having more than just instrument dropouts is a welcomed change that proves you can get bodies moving and keep them dancing.

"Surrounded" is vintage Joss. Floor stomping drums and organ bounce while flute melodies jump on top of the groove as piles of percussion add to the funk. Then out from nowhere the song shifts up and around and then back to the groove. Joss is also determined to prove that soloing isn't only for elderly rock acts and blues. His guitar and organ solos are top notch and never hammy or tiresome.

"Charmer" is an acoustic-led song that adds sitar and flute as background layers that slowly creep forward in the mix propelling a swinging 60's vibe. A feeling of running through tall grass on a beautiful summer day creep to mind and then the sky turns psychedelic.

"Danger Buds" and "Root Juice" play out as lost 60's hard funk jams with bass and guitar riffing together as more flute action and funky guitar strums hop in and out of the mix.

"Rififi Rococo" is one of the standout tracks on Sticks. I defy anyone to not strut when walking down the street with the earbuds rocking. Riding a relentless mid-tempo groove, strings, sitars (of course), JBs-inspired guitar hits converge into something that might be mistaken for a 1973 Blacksploitation track.

"Melisma Mercury" darkens the mood that brings back the Acid Jazz days with a snare shuffle and horn melody locked into a somber cycle. Sitar and guitar show up to lighten the mood but not the intensity. My second favorite track on the album if you are taking notes.

"Night Scare" moves into gritty spy-jazz a la United Future Oganization (see 90's electronica if you missed it). "Tune Down" mellows out the mood with the Rhodes piano leading the proceedings. "A Soft Reprise" follows the Rhodes-led structure and gives out moments of Moon Safari.

"Zingy Twangs" perks things back up with swinging drums and vocal ahhs, babahs and woos. It's catchy to the point of maddening. How many times can you get away with daydreaming at the office and shouting out "woooaaa" involuntarily?

"Tea Age Sea" finishes up the album with (what would you expect?) funky drums, chicken-scratch guitar, superfunk clavinet and delicate sitar leads.

Chris Joss goes for refinement in lieu of branching out into other genres. He's so good at what he does that staying focused on his style helps rather than hinders. Fans of funky downtempo, funk reissues or anything with the word funk in it will be highly-satisfied with Sticks.

~ Dedric Moore

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