Peter Holslin needs a new pair of Locs
“Funk is not a fad, it’s a way of life.” If you’ve ever read an interview with Damon Riddick, aka Dâm-Funk, you’ve probably heard him say this memorable line. And if you’re not quite sure what he means by that, you might have a better idea after listening to “Finally Done Wit’ It,” a new tune he posted on his SoundCloud page Sunday. Stretching out for over nine minutes, the track is like a laid-back stroll through the powers of groove: Though there’s nothing showy about its murky bass-line and cloudy synths, sometimes all you need is the insistent thump of a drum machine to carry you through the night.
Of course, you might wonder what the Pasadena boogie-funk maestro is actually “Done Wit’ It.” Could it be that he’s finished his long-awaited Invite the Light LP, the as-yet-unreleased full-length follow-up to his epic 2009 double-album Toeachizown? When I reached out to Riddick on Twitter, he didn’t go into any specifics, adding that he’d posted the track simply to “let listeners know that the new Funk is alive & well.” Whatever the title refers to, “Finally Done Wit’ It” hits me like a long, relieving breath. Some artists make music strategically; they follow trends and listen to their handlers. This, however, is the sound of a man getting funky just because that’s what he does.
