Discern / Define

iTunes Review

Coming together in Munich, Germany in the early 1990s, the Poets of Rhythm were arguably the first (and best) of the throwback funk groups — bands who embrace/emulate the organic and highly musical style of '60s and '70s acts, to the point where its nearly impossible to tell the difference. Using classic instrumentation, vintage recording gear, and, most importantly, chops galore, they began releasing super-fresh, small-run 7-inch singles on their own label Hotpie & Candy Records. The much-loved LP Practice What You Preach followed in 1993, and they continued to wow rare groove heads, record collectors, and beat fanatics throughout the decade. Discern/Define is their second full-length and is another masterpiece of timeless jams and relentlessly funky, groove-based instrumentals, oozing with wah-wahs, hi-hat-addled drums, horns, flutes, and wildly freaky old school keyboards. Like a cross between the JBs, the Headhunters, the Meters, and Can, they are the forefathers of newer but similarly minded groups like Budos Band and the Daptones. For anyone who's ever lamented "they don't make it like they used to," this one's for you.