Is Bringing Back the Funk a good place to start with Brian Culbertson?

Yes, Bringing Back the Funk is recommended as a starting point for new Brian Culbertson listeners. An exuberant blend of contemporary jazz and classic funk grooves that invites listeners to dance and reminisce. Released in 2008, Bringing Back the Funk marked Brian Culbertson's continued evolution as a jazz fusion artist following his successful album, Come on Up (2006). At this point in his career, Culbertson was solidifying his reputation for blending various genres, particularly smooth jazz and funk, showcasing his versatility as a musician and producer.

Who is Bringing Back the Funk for?

Bringing Back the Funk works well if you're into infectious grooves for dancing, celebratory vibes with friends and upbeat energy for gatherings.

How many songs are on Bringing Back the Funk?

Bringing Back the Funk has 10 tracks, running approximately 46 minutes.

Bringing Back the Funk

Brian Culbertson · 2008

46 min · 10 tracks · jazz fusion

An exuberant blend of contemporary jazz and classic funk grooves that invites listeners to dance and reminisce.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Funkin' Like My Father Start here — This opening track sets the tone with its infectious bass line and vibrant brass sections, embodying the album's retro-funk essence while establishing Culbertson's musical lineage.
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You Got to Funkifize — A playful take on funk rhythms, this track showcases Culbertson's skillful keyboard work and features dynamic interplay between instruments, making it a highlight of the album.
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Voice Inside (Everything Is Everything) — This track blends soulful melodies with a rich instrumental backdrop, demonstrating Culbertson's ability to weave emotional storytelling into his music through layered instrumentation.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album effectively blends classic funk with contemporary jazz, showcasing strong craftsmanship and varied compositions.

What we noticed

The first three tracks establish a high-energy groove with prominent brass and rhythmic bass lines, setting a danceable tone.
Tracks 4 through 7 introduce varying tempos and textures, incorporating elements of smooth jazz while maintaining funk influences.
The final three tracks slow down the pace, featuring more melodic and introspective arrangements that contrast with the earlier exuberance.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

infectious grooves for dancing
celebratory vibes with friends
upbeat energy for gatherings
smooth melodies for relaxation

Maybe skip if you

prefer introspective listening experiences
seek minimalist soundscapes

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Fan Favorite — Beloved by fans for its energetic blend of funk and jazz, showcasing Culbertson's style.
Career context: Released in 2008, Bringing Back the Funk marked Brian Culbertson's continued evolution as a jazz fusion artist following his successful album, Come on Up (2006). At this point in his career, Culbertson was solidifying his reputation for blending various genres, particularly smooth jazz and funk, showcasing his versatility as a musician and producer.
Stylistic neighbors: David Benoit· Bob James· Kirk Whalum