Prince Charles And The City Beat Band – Stone Killers

Prince Charles And The City Beat Band – Stone Killers

A superb slice of early-1980s underground funk, Stone Killers captures the raw, adventurous sound of Prince Charles Alexander and his Boston-based City Beat Band as funk, disco and the emerging electro and hip-hop movements began to converge.

Originally released in 1982 on Virgin Records, the album is a fascinating meeting point between the muscular grooves of P-Funk, the rhythmic experimentation of early electro and the independent spirit of American underground dance music. Led by musician, songwriter and producer Charles Alexander, the group developed a distinctive sound built around heavy basslines, punchy rhythms, synthesiser textures and extended arrangements designed to keep the dancefloor moving.

The album opens with 'Don't Fake The Funk', an uncompromising statement of intent that sets the tone with its infectious groove and confident funk attitude. 'Cash (Cash Money)' is another standout, combining a driving rhythm with an inventive arrangement, while 'Big Chested Girls' delivers the playful, larger-than-life personality that runs throughout much of the record.

'Cold As Ice (NYC Blues)' introduces a different dimension, bringing a tougher urban edge to the album's funk foundations. Elsewhere, 'I'm A Fool For Love' provides a more melodic contrast, while 'Jungle Stomp' and 'Bush Beat' explore rhythm-heavy territory with a sound that connects naturally with the street-level dance culture of the period. The closing track, 'Video Freak (Defend It!)', adds another intriguing dimension, reflecting the growing influence of music television and electronic culture in the early 1980s.

What makes Stone Killers particularly interesting is its position between musical movements. Released at a time when the influence of Parliament-Funkadelic, disco and New York's developing electro scene was reshaping dance music, the album brings these elements together in a distinctly American underground style. Its combination of live-band funk, electronic experimentation and extended grooves also gives it appeal beyond conventional soul and disco collecting.

Produced by Charles Alexander and Tony Rose, with recording sessions involving studios in Boston and New York, Stone Killers is an engaging document of an adventurous period in American funk. An excellent discovery for collectors of obscure funk, electro, P-Funk, early hip-hop-influenced dance music and rare groove.

Tracklist

A1. Don't Fake The Funk
A2. Cash (Cash Money)
A3. Big Chested Girls
A4. Cold As Ice (NYC Blues)

B1. I'm A Fool For Love
B2. Jungle Stomp
B3. Bush Beat
B4. Video Freak (Defend It!)