Lenny Kravitz
Strut
(Roxie Records)

“Sex” is an over-driven tube guitar strut opening the aptly named Strut, the new album by Lenny Kravitz. This is Kravitz’s first release from his own Roxie Records label (named after Kravtiz’s mom) and it is a big, funky rock record with extra bonus tunes released on iTunes as well as in the Target store release of the album.

There is disco here with “The Chamber,” which has big, fat simple bass playing and Georgio Moroder-like backing. There’s that tube sound again in a very Bowie-like “New York City,” a truly great snap and funk of a tune. It might overstay its welcome a bit, but it is still great. The title track is big, hard, metallic and loud, reminiscent of “Are You Going To Go My Way” in singableness and old Sly Stone funky handclaps. I just love the ’70s waver of “Frankenstein,” and those handclaps (again) and Dick Dale-like guitar of “I’m a Believer,” a true mover, commercial, upbeat tune, with a ‘seize-the-day’ lyrical theme. “I Never Want To Let You Down” is a big guitar love song where Lenny says, “I pledge allegiance baby, to the flag of love.” There’s a cover of “Ooo Baby Baby” here, an updated higher-end horn slink, but for me, one of the bonuses, “Sweet Gitchey Rose,” is the best. Hard, heavy, with wonderful drums and percussion from Kravitz (he plays most of what you hear here), the Hendrix-like lead is the icing on the cake.

Strut is a great record from a singular, unique American player/producer/songwriter/singer.