Various Artists: One Step Beyond

One Step Beyond (Mo’Funk MFCD 33), is another in the long line of ’70s instrumental soul revisionists, with all the ingredients firmly in place. Percussions, keyboards, some solid solos, the obligatory Afro-Latin track (“The Latin Thing”). And, moments of genuine funk (the 6/8 clav showcase “Euclids Grow Up So Fast”). The only problem is that there isn’t enough of any one element to really make this disc stick in the memory.

Originally Published April 1, 1997