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Oct 09, 2018 Web Exclusive By Ben Jardine

Find It At: AMAZON

Many know him as "Professor Boogie" in Kamasi Washington's live band, but few might be familiar with Brandon Coleman's solo work. With his debut solo record, Resistance, the keyboardist has etched out a corner of the R&B/funk genre in style. A combination of synth-guided jams and tense rhythms, Resistance works its way through 12 tracks with pent-up energy—as if Coleman is keeping some semblance of hesitation or, well, resistance. "Giant Feelings," featuring Washington, is the loosest of the tracks and the most resembling of Washington's The Epic; yet even this track feels layered behind restraints.

With both Washington and Thundercat featured, one would imagine Resistance to be a direct product of the Brainfeeder label—but this record sounds pointedly distant from the mainstream of the label's releases. Some tracks ("Addiction" and "Sexy") sound overtly club-themed while others, such as the title track, are more tinged with an elaborate fragility. On "Resistance," the vocal harmonies that appeared on many of Washington's tracks feature and stand immediately in contrast with the tracks that came before. "Love" is an affecting disco groove, taking the works of Chic to the 21st century.

Resistance is an ample, though sometimes stretched-thin, mix of the old and the new; a debut record dubbed by the label as a "funk odyssey," it appears remarkably well polished. (www.brandoncoleman.love)

Author rating: 7/10