This is the posthumous 4th and final solo LP from Chisholm, Minnesota emcee Saint Dog. He comes as part of the PTB trio with D-Loc & Johnny Richter, the 3 of whom would later form the Kottonmouth Kings with Daddy X in 1996 and break up 3 years later. Despite this he remained with Suburban Noize Records and made his solo debut together Ghetto Guide which celebrated its 20th anniversary in February. This would follow USA (Irreconcilable social mutilations) & Bozothe latter is in conjunction with Force 5 Records. In commemoration of what would have been the OG King's 49th birthday, the Funky Soul will always live.
The title track featuring Chucky Chuck, The DRP & Obnoxious begins with the 4 dropping hard hitting bars over a funky instrumental while 'Ms. Demeanor” produced by Fiasco Andretti goes all-out g-funk with Saint talking about a chick he considers freak of the year. “Love Affair” works acoustically thanks to The DRP making it clear there's no kindness, but then we're treated to a remix of highlight “1 More” from KMK's 14th and to date final album Basel Come.
“Rock & Roll Gangsta” revives some classic sounds, talking about being Heaven sent on a mission leading into “Trap Jaw” featuring Danny Diablo and Son of Saint brings the trio together over a psychedelic g-funk beat that mocks everyone who wants to rap. . “Rydaz” brings together the entire roster of Force 5, one rap rock record cut after another Basel Comestand out tracklisting “Loyalty is Royalty” US@'s “Backlash”. maintains a rumbling rap rock sound, and “I Know” ends with another stripped-back acoustic joint.
Capturing the essence of West Coast hip-hop that shaped the genre with a blend of glossy g-funk, powerful grooves and Saint Dog's signature hypnotic flow, Funky Soul marks a return to his roots, evoking the spirit of his early days in Placentia, California as the King of Kottonmouth in what would eventually become a posthumous musical mission that would make him proud knowing his legacy will always live on. Many of the Subnoize & Force 5 artists featured on this were influenced by Saint Vicious and I thought this was a well featured feature worth mentioning.
Rating: 8/10
