Rise Above is an old-school soul, funk, disco R&B record, instantly bringing up memories of the seventies and artists like Chaka Kahn, Tower Of Power, Earth, Wind, & Fire and others, including touching nods to the wonderful arrangements of The Sound Of Philadelphia (TSOP) records. There's nothing groundbreaking here, but there isn't intended to be. Rise Above is an extremely well crafted, well thought out, and well performed tribute to the icons and influences that created the original sound. The production is first rate, the best that money can buy… and then some. This is easily my favorite new album of the new year and a way high standard to live up to. Funkiphino finally wins my heart as the best r&b/funk/soul band in the region… and will surely make my year-end best of list with this record.