The evolution of Breakestra has been an auspicious journey of funk and feeling. Bandleader Miles Tackett made a name for himself in Los Angeles as the leader of the weekly Rootdown party, a hangout for conscious and breakthrough hip-hop/soul/funk mavens. His band started out playing covers of soul classics, eventually writing a solid repertoire of its own. Hit the Floor marks the group´s debut of original material, 14 studio slices of what´s made it a stellar live outfit.

The record does reflect the pitfalls expected of a former cover act, like the wedding-band vibe. But the production has enough integrity and the rhythms enough groove to grant certifiable credibility to the record. The flute lead on ¨Burgundy Blues¨ and Tackett´s low-end vocals on ¨Stand Up¨ and ¨Recognize¨ (which has a bit of Neville Brothers spirit) guarantee an enjoyable experience. Guest appearances by fellow Californians Jurassic 5 add rap etiquette to the grime of funk. And grimy it does get. When they say hit the floor, they mean it.