Riley was invited to create some “children’s” music for the United Way of St. Joseph and that evolved into enough material for a new album. The guitarist began in his home studio tracking guitars, mandolins, synth and percussion parts for time-honored children’s favorites like “Camptown Races” and “Frere Jaques”. Ubiquitous bassist, Craig Kew added tracks to much of the album and a couple of tunes feature Fresh Cut Grass fiddler, Terry Brock. Much of the pre-production was done by Mark Elting at Sound Central with final mixing and mastering credits going to Awestruck studios near Kansas City, MO.

Funky Folk is a musical theme park with arrangements that explore Jazz, Blues, New Age, Bluegrass, Latin and Funk. The music feels as if it was created in a free and friendly, living room hootenanny from a groove-oriented cast of Funky Fun-sters. Each tune on the album was constructed from single-take improvisations on a predetermined form, style and main theme. The resulting concoctions retain the playful, grooving spirit of an organic process of joyful creation. Multi-tracked guitars, percussion, banjo, mandolin, hand clapping, body thumping, lap steel, guitar synth and a little harmonica create a unique texture where acoustic folk meets old-school beats. While each track has it’s own personal character the album draws strength from the flow of stylized diversity, resulting in a truly enjoyable listening experience for the whole family.

Funky Folk