Don't purchase based on Beck's involvement alone
Bryan Forrest | Colchester, Vermont United States | 01/30/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I just purchased GET DOWN IN THE DIRT The Complete UPP(Import) - yes it's a bit spendy but there are some enjoyable elements in this set. I like Jazz Fusion and Funk, I'm also a huge Jeff Beck fan - don't purchase based on Beck's involvement alone. If you expect UPP to be comparable to `Blow By Blow' or `Wired' - you will be greatly disappointed... Buy only if you're a fan of Funk/Jazz Fusion or if you like the 70's Motown sound. If I had to do it over - I would have waited and bought a used copy..."
Don't mess up, don't miss UPP
John Engstrom | Dublin, CA | 09/02/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"First off, UPP is a British funk / R&B group along the lines of the Average White Band (sans horns). Just because their first album (but not their second) was produced by Jeff Beck during HIS jazz/fusion phase, doesn't change the make-up of this band. They sound a lot like a post-Impressions Curtis Mayfield without the politics. Oh, and they are definitely a keyboard driven group, with guitars overlaid. Mr. Beck provides the guitar on the first album (Upp) and a couple of solos on the second (This Way Upp) much as he did guitar work for Stevie Wonder on Talking Book and Innervisions.
Overall, this is a wonderful compilation of a band that just didn't get that much hype. The music is well written and well played. This CD replaced my home-recorded versions of their vinyl albums, and added some nice bonus cuts. A wonderful find."