If you think of Nathan Williams and Geno Delafose being on the zydeco right, then Lil’ Brian and the Zydeco Travelers are not only on the far left, they’re practically off the map. The Houston-area band rules the shock waves, ingeniously incorporating some of the purest funk that’s frightening. Their third imprint extends that trend into mind-blowing epic proportions. It’s not the heavy, heart congestive funk-in-your-face as the preceding Rounder waxings but shows zydefunk can exist without the two-ton low end. The sound is sleekly crisp in both the low and the highs, which emphasizes their astonishing versatility.
The opening track, the 7:28 opus of “Funky Nation” begins with slow, stepping funk that crescendos and decrescendos with sweeping mood shifts. It quiets to a surreal feel where Lil’ Brian’s laughter and repeating “funky Nation, y’all” chatter feels like a coup of a border radio station broadcasting whatever insaneness fits the moment. The next several tracks are like a ’70s funk-on-acid accordion, especially the all too familiar rift of “Get Up On That Zydeco.“ Regardless if it meets or defeats your notion of zydeco, they’re still awesome tracks.
It’s not until the sixth track “Thigh Drivin’” that the Travelers show they churn out some of the strongest zydeco imaginable, displaying flawless execution from all positions. Lil’ Brian dazzles on accordion, guitarist Patrick Terry jukes some throbbin’ riffs and compelling rhythms ooze forth from “Funky E” Jackson, bass; Mandrell Rideau, rubboard; and Tony Steward, drums. Label founder and idol Buckwheat Zydeco inspires the fire behind the keys. Likewise, the following tracks, the old-style “Uncle Cliff” and the nouveau-tinged “Jackin’ This Song” flex a mighty zydeco muscle. A well-crafted soul-funk song, “Black Butterfly,” is up next, followed by another unbelievable volcanic meltdown of “Party.” As rivalries are commonplace in zydeco, there’s one of those here as well with “Back Stabbers,” a brutally honest song. Lil’ Brian doesn’t hold anything back when he considers a rival zydeco band to be the essence of the song’s title. Love to get more of that story (it does sound juicy) but all things aside, what could be more zydeco than that?
