Jo Jo Hammett: Who Said The Funk Was Dead

JoJo Hammett delivers a solid set of R&B, smooth soul, and funk with his Jaguar Records release, Who Said the Funk Was Dead. The LaGrange, Georgia native’s rich vocal styling seamlessly moves from slow grooves to upbeat dance tempos throughout the eleven tracks. Fans of Tyrone Davis, Joe Simon, and even Kool and the Gang will find music to their taste on this “new age Rhythm & Blues” CD. The lead track, “Hop Skip Jump” (aka “The Rabbit Song”) has caused a sensation in dance clubs with its infectious chorus and solid groove. William Bell’s “Trying To Love 2” is the CD’s only non-original, and serves to show the strength of Hammett’s own compositions, none of which suffer in comparison to this established classic. Other standout songs include the slow ballad, “U Didn’t Have To Lie About It”, and the classic funk of the title track. Joe “JoJo” Hammett was born into a musical environment, as his father and uncle’s gospel group jammed regularly with blues great “Piano Red”. JoJo and his brothers were friends with Lloyd Price, Billy Stewart and Ralph “Pee Wee” Middlebrook (Ohio Players). Hammett’s talent show experience in school lead to his tenure as lead singer of The Hurricanes. The Hurricanes toured the East Coast and South in support of Joe Simon, King Floyd, Johnnie Taylor, Bobby Womack, Peggy Scott & Jo Jo Benson, James & Bobby Purify, Major Lance, Willie Hightower and others. Hammett tours consistently throughout the Southeast. The solid backing band for Hammett includes members of many of the groups The Hurricanes toured with as well as veterans of The Delfonics, SOS Band, and the O’Jays. During his career, JoJo has won awards including The Black & Gold Award, Mr. Entertainer Award and The R.A.S. Award. Expect fans of Southern blues and R&B to respond enthusiastically to Who Said The Funk Was Dead, rhythm and blues performed with the deep feeling of Southern soul music.