Larry Humphrey brings the old-school funk on new album

Bill Lackey Springfield resident Larry Humphrey makes some of the funkiest music heard since the '70s.

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By Andrew McGinn, Staff Writer 3:00 PM Thursday, July 28, 2011

SPRINGFIELD - Back in middle school, we used to obsessively quiz each other on the outcomes of hypothetical fights between superheroes.

Like, who would win in a fight — the Hulk or Thor?

So here’s one for ya — who would win in a fight, Larry Humphrey’s bass or a Norfolk Southern locomotive?

The money’s on the Hump.

His new album, “Bringing the Funk 2 U,” is finally available for public consumption, and there are indeed moments on it that more than live up to Hump’s reputation as a god among local bass players.

You’d have to invent a time machine, test it out on your cat to make sure time travel is even feasible, and then take it back to the Dayton/Cincinnati funk scene circa 1974 to find anybody even comparable.

Here in 21st century Springfield, though, Humphrey speaks softly and carries the biggest and funkiest of sticks.

Two songs alone are worth the $15 that he’s charging.

The first, an instrumental titled “Train,” pits his bass against a locomotive, complete with sound effects recorded down by the Heritage Center.

It’s a showdown every bit as epic as Ali vs. Frazier or Triceratops vs. T. rex.

The second, “Play 4 U,” will have fans of old-school funk foaming at the mouth. My God, even Sugarfoot of the Ohio Players jumps in on guest vocals.

To buy the CD — or to just inquire how Humphrey perfected time travel — call (937) 304-1198.

He’s also playing Station One at 8 p.m. Saturday. Cover is $5.

Contact this reporter at amcginn@coxohio.com.

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