Broke ground on a concept album.
I have a project working on a concept album. I think concept records are cool. Always wanted to make one. Finally doing it.
What’s my concept of a concept album?
Of course we all know Pink Floyd the Wall and we’re happy for their success. I’m a The Kinks fan, they have one called “Arthur or Decline and Fall of The British Empire.” I’m crazy about that record. Have been for years.
Concept records can have convoluted long drawn out stories. Or like Roger Water’s “The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking,” a whole record can be about a few hours on a random morning. The songs are connected by plot, setting, or characters. I like it because on concept records, you can have songs about the same thing. That’s a freedom for me. lol.
Stank will be present.
I’m really into funk. I am really into protest. 70’s synths. I love the word, “stanky.” I love putting a little “stank” on it. If you’re not familiar, “stank” is when you zig and they thought you were gonna’ zag. It can sound wrong. But it feels right. “Stank.”
Favorite old funky record right now.
There’s an old funky record with plenty of stank on it called “Moon Rappin’,” by Brother Jack McDuff. Apple says I am in the top 1000 listeners in the world of Brother Jack McDuff. I’m somewhat an authority on the subject! No lie! They told me, “Um, Kelly, you must like Brother Jack McDuff.” They’re right. I do.
The Components
I bring up stank and “Moon Rappin’” because they’re essential building blocks to what I’m working on concept record-wise. It’s funk, trippy, stanky, even sci-fi, and spacey. At least it is now, mostly in my head. It’s fun and a major reason I do this shit, just being witness to how things change throughout the course of a big project. I like that a lot. I enjoy those decisions.
The rules, (not many).
Sticking to funk, concept, and space. Everything else is negotiable. I want to be open to whatever is thrown at it. No harm in seeing if it works.
I’ve been working on the story this year. It won’t leave me alone. It requires action. Happens.
2026 is loaded with projects and releases. Glad for it. Wish I didn’t have to protest. But I’m glad I’m able to, for now.
The cosmic and stanky concept funk record, coming soon.
Return to home.
My number one record this year (on apple music).
This is my most listened to record on Apple in 2025. I’m not a big fan of Black Sabbath. But I listen to Jazz Sabbath most days. They’re the shit. Everything about them, superb. But the vibe reigns king despite how talented they are, or maybe because of it. It sounds like they can do whatever they want and are having fun at it too. Great music. Great Jazz. Happy it’s my most listened to album. (for some reason.)