Breakestra

The evolution of Breakestra has been an auspicious journey of funk and feeling. Bandleader Miles Tackett made a name for himself in Los Angeles as the leader of the weekly Rootdown party, a hangout for conscious and breakthrough hip-hop/soul/funk mavens. His band started out playing covers of soul classics, eventually writing a solid repertoire of its own.

Hit the Floor marks the group's debut of original material, 14 studio slices of what's made it a stellar live outfit.

The record does reflect the pitfalls expected of a former cover act, like the wedding-band vibe. But the production has enough integrity, and the rhythms enough groove, to grant certifiable credibility to the record. The flute lead on "Burgundy Blues" and Tackett's low-end vocals on "Stand Up" and "Recognize" (which has a bit of Neville Brothers spirit) guarantee an enjoyable experience. Guest appearances by fellow Californians Jurassic 5 add rap etiquette to the grime of funk. And grimy it does get. When they say hit the floor, they mean it.