Steve Arrington – Pure Thang

Steve Arrington
Pure Thang
God Factor Records 2009
www.stevearringtonministries.com

On the title track of his latest release, Pure Thang, funk meister Steve Arrington declares, “Just like Thelonious [Monk], I’m known to be different/It’s just the way I am, in this I’m consistent. No time for foolishness ‘cause I’m on a mission.”

Truer words were never spoken.

Former singer for the funk group Slave as well as the leader of his own funk ensemble, Steve Arrington moved from the secular to the sacred several years ago. He takes praising the Lord in all things to the nth degree by pouring the full force of his formidable musical arsenal into Pure Thang. Called a progenitor of gospel funk, Arrington lays down tracks that are complex, mood-altering, polyrhythmic, psychedelic and, yes, you can dance to them. Just like the metaphorical object of his track, “Soul Food,” there are lots of flavors here to savor.

The seventeen songs on Pure Thang are like a dazzling electric parade that is scored by the Ohio Players, Prince and Outkast working in collaboration. Arrington’s distinctive voice functions as a musical instrument or sample, as he croons, growls, raps, scats, shouts and hollers lyrics which sound like they are based on a prayer book written by Beat poets. In fact, his vocals come in powerful blasts as often as in extended lines.

On “The Devil Can’t Sing Amazing Grace,” my vote for most inventive song title of 2009, Arrington taunts the devil with “Jesus didn’t die for you” in a tone that suggests the subtext is, “Stick your pitchfork where the sun don’t shine.” Given where the devil resides, however, that could mean just about anywhere.

“I’m On Fire” is the current single and representative of the album in its sonic energy.

Steve Arrington’s Pure Thang isn’t pie-eyed praise nor is it tough-guy street-credo but somewhere in between. More than anything, it presents an artist bursting to tell the Word in his own fantastic musical language. You may need to listen twice to get the full impact because the first time around, trust me, you will be too dazzled by the musical fireworks to focus much on the words.

Four of Five Stars

gPod Picks: “I’m On Fire,” “The Devil Can’t Sing Amazing Grace,” “Soul Food.”