Fun lovin 'criminals is an American trio formed in 1993 that mixes hip-hop, funk, disco and rock. Huey Morgan, Brian Leiser et Steve Borgovini are the founding members of this New York combo which has released 8 albums in its 30-year career.
Since 2021, Naim Cortazzi has replaced Morgan on guitar, and "A Matter of Time" is their latest effort, released on August 29th, from which the Bordeaux public will be treated to some excerpts tonight. Only two concerts are scheduled in France while the tour is in full swing.
The fusion of several musical genres allows the New Yorkers to address different generations and maintain an undeniable success for so many years. Since "Come Find Yourself" in 1996, the group has valued an "Italo-American-mafia" side defining a new style that Quentin Tarantino will sample for the soundtracks of "Pulp Fiction" and "Reservoir Dogs". Moving to Virgin Records, Fun Lovin' Criminals then paid tribute to the "Colombian" and Barry White to rub shoulders with the heights of success at the Glastonbury Festival.
Despite parallel projects, the lineup changes over the course of the albums and the current lineup sees Frank Benbini replace Maxwell Jayson (who succeeds Borgovini) on drums. Cancellation of a UK tour in 2021, 25 dates in 2023 to celebrate a new version and the publication of an autobiography by Huey Morgan last month reflect the current events of a band as diverse as its music. The recent opus allows Brian Leiser to be in the spotlight with a rough groove that invites the listener to the discos of the American megalopolis. We dream of frolicking in NYC while listening to the lyrics of the FLC full of melancholy and hope.
GRAND PARK OF BORDEAUX
The day after a sold-out concert at the New Morning in Paris, the trio performed in the renovated Grand Parc venue. Despite a relatively small crowd, Fun Lovin' Criminals delivered an 80-minute show combining classics and new releases. After the recent "Full Stop," the New Yorkers got down to business with their eponymous song and then "Loco." The imposing Benbini on drums livened up the venue with a giant band flag representing their logo in the background, proud of their origins. "Little Bit Further" and "Out Of Darkness" rubbed shoulders with the classics "King of New York" and "Smoke 'Em" with fervor. New guitarist Naim Cortazzi had Italian class with his slicked-back bangs, sunglasses, and Duesenberg in hand. Brian Leiser, now the lead singer, alternated between synthesizer and trumpet, then decided to take off his jacket mid-set while commenting on the songs.
This is how we learn that the TGV that took the group from Paris to Bordeaux is significantly cleaner than the Big Apple's public transport... no surprise, but did they take the time to take line 7 of the Paris metro on the La Courneuve side?
On the live side, Fun Lovin Criminals save the best for last: the famous "Scooby Snacks" (unfortunately too short in its original version), the funky and excellent "Love Unlimited" then "Big Night Out" close a millimeter and effective set. This epilogue is the highlight of a good concert. To the very appropriate music of the film "The Godfather", the protagonists leave the Bordeaux stage for Spain for a tour that will travel across Europe until mid-December. A beautiful autumn evening.
Text and photos : Diego
Thanks : Ely from ENVOL PROD
