Kung Fu Academy - Super 8 Flashback

by Adrian Janes

published: 10 / 4 / 2013

Label: Whimsical Records
Format: CDS

Perfectly performed, but uninspiring mix of rock with soul, funk and disco on debut EP from Edinburgh-based band, Kung Fu Academy

Review

Kung Fu Academy originate from Edinburgh, and part of their musical bloodline is that Scottish take on funk that goes back at least as far as the Average White Band and the more dilute approach to the genre offered by Orange Juice. The title track is introduced by mellow guitar tones before switching to just such a 1980’s-style groove on the verses, rasped out by vocalist Bobby Osborne in a manner that recalls Liam Gallagher or a less gruff Paul Weller. It is a song of nostalgic regret: “Everything has a picture of you”. Next, the approach on ‘Sally’ again evokes a slice of 80’s dancefloor (this time ABC). A slower passage towards the end builds to an unexpected guitar-led climax as Osborne declaims “You can’t stop talking baby” in one of the few truly thrilling moments on this disc. High energy hi-hat slicing activates ‘The Long Fall’, the EP’s most dynamic track, before it settles into a quasi-ska rhythm. Drummer Frazer De Banzie and bassist Duncan Robertson’ play with particular agility on this song, which also has one of the catchier choruses. It’s clear that Kung Fu Academy don’t want to be pigeonholed in any particular style or scene, each song here bringing different musical elements to the fore. ‘Junction’ is the most straightforward rock song, with even a touch of wah-wah in the guitar solo, but it still has disco and funk traces as well. ‘Warpaint’ is a slow ballad, seemingly a break-up song, underpinned by limpid guitar. The guitar solo is its best part - the information I have attributes this to Osborne, although at least some of the skilful playing over the course of this disc undoubtedly belongs to the other guitarist, Laurence Murray. ‘You’re Such a Flame’ concludes proceedings. It is led off by a striking guitar motif, although the bulk of the song returns to the vocal and musical characteristics of the title track. ‘Super 8 Flashback’ is a well-played collection, although I found Bobby Osborne’s vocal style rather grating and limited, despite efforts at enlivening it with more elaborate vocal arrangements on some of the songs. But for me, although the idea of combining various musics (rock, funk, disco and soul) could be really interesting, for the most part these songs aren’t.