Orgone

After the lofty expectations set forth by the auspicious funk monster that was their debut, 2007's The Killion Floor, L.A.'s Orgone don't disappoint with Cali Fever. Like Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings or Breakestra, Orgone cleverly deliver authentic funk and soul grooves without sounding like nostalgia hawking mimeographs. Monster throwdowns like the opening instrumental shuffle of "The Last Fool" and the eight-minute-plus "The Cleaner," which has enough slick menace to sound like the chase theme in a great, lost blaxploitation film, establish the nine-piece's funk credentials. And yet, like the best tracks on The Killion Floor, it's the subtler, spacey numbers that stand out. Vocalist Fanny Franklin recalls Marva Whitney on the drugged-out, chicken scratch-driven "Crazy Queen," and a detour into dub-y, atmospheric, early '80s NYC club music results in the most ambitious and danceable cut on the set: the invigorating "It's Time Tonight." On Cali Fever, Orgone avoid the sophomore slump and deliver some truly dope funk.