Vulfpeck - Hill Climber

Year Released: 2018

Genre: Funk, Soul, R&B, Funk-Pop

Description:

Hill Climber is the sixth studio album by the American funk band Vulfpeck, released on December 7, 2018. The album continued the band's tradition of blending their core "minimal funk" sound with an expanding roster of talented guest musicians and vocalists. The title of the album is a reference to the band's slow and steady climb in popularity, fueled by their dedicated online following and their relentless release schedule of live, analog-recorded funk music.

The album's sound is a vibrant and meticulously crafted collection of grooves that showcase the band's technical prowess and playful spirit. It features a mix of instrumentals and vocal tracks, with a strong emphasis on collaboration. Key tracks on the album include "Half of the Way," a smooth and soulful tune featuring vocals from Theo Katzman, and the infectious funk instrumental "Darwin Derby," which features a whimsical, spoken-word introduction from Woody Goss and a driving bassline from Joe Dart. The album also features contributions from frequent collaborators such as Antwaun Stanley, whose powerful vocals grace the track "Disco Ulysses (Instrumental)," and Joey Dosik, whose soulful voice and keyboard playing add a lush layer to the album.

Like their previous albums, Hill Climber was largely funded through a crowdfunding campaign, which allowed the band to maintain complete creative and financial independence. The album's cover art, designed by Jack Conte, is a clever and minimalist take on the album title. Hill Climber was a commercial and critical success for the band, debuting at number two on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart and solidifying their status as a unique and influential force in modern funk music