SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE BIG OL’ NASTY GETDOWN – VOLUME 3

BIG OL’ NASTY GETDOWN
VOLUME 3
INDEPENDENT

Over the last two decades, The Big Ol’ Nasty Getdown, which has included the efforts of well over 225 musicians, has become perhaps the largest and most fluid musical collective, consisting of a truly stunning, revolving lineup of artists from all genres. This time around, the band, consisting of members of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Funkadelic, Pearl Jam, Earth, Wind & Fire, Jane’s Addiction, and Fishbone, among many, many others, have dropped their latest album, Volume 3. As their first release since 2018, Volume 3 was recorded at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 and is the consolidated effort of countless musicians and hundreds of hours of recordings, making for an incredibly ambitious project.

Volume 3 opens with the warm, sauntering groove of “Yoda Mode”, a song accented by lush horns and Maiya Sykes’ larger than life vocals. The track also features performances from drummer Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and bassist Hadrien Feraud (Chick Corea), making for an exceptionally powerful rhythm section. Pulling equally from funk and old school R&B, “Yoda Mode” is a contemporary take on the genre that feels fresh among today’s landscape. On a contrasting note, the band moves forward with the Angelo Moore (Fishbone) led “When The Juice Ran Out”, offering a harder funk at a brisk tempo, alongside crunching guitars from Tim Stewart (Lady Gaga), giving the song a reminiscent feeling to the alternative funk of the ‘80s and ‘90s. Between these opening tracks, The Big Ol’ Nasty Getdown offers a broad pallet of influences, making for a powerful deliver of funk.

At the heart of Volume 3 is a foundation of musicianship. The musicality across the album, paired with sharp songwriting and impressive solos is exceptional, with each song serving as a testament to the countless artists involved in bringing this record to life. Despite the vast lineup and the lengthy recording process, Volume 3 is a cohesive collection of modern funk that shines for its use of instrumentation, arrangements, and stellar musicianship, all of which is centred around irresistible grooves. In addition to the opening songs, the Justin Poree led “Super Galactic” is another highlight, however, The Big Ol’ Nasty Getdown is perhaps at its strongest when operating instrumentally, as heard on “Birds Of A Feather,” “Crispy Chicken,” and “Joy Rider,” which is an absolutely incendiary fusion of funk and rock led by Stewart on guitar and drummer Jack Irons (Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers). In addition to this, the album also includes instrumental versions of each song, bringing the album’s eight tracks to a solid 13.

Volume 3 is an impressive record that brings together a wide range of musicians for a truly ambitious collective. As a result, the third entry from The Big Ol’ Nasty Getdown is a musical odyssey that plays to the strengths of each of its collaborators, making for an unbridled listening experience reminiscent of the sentiment behind George Clinton’s Funkadelic for a modern age

Artist Links