Little Jackie
The Stoop
S-Curve Records, 2008
By Owen Nagels
Late this summer I was at my mom’s place in LA, bored out of my skull, flipping through a fashion magazine in desperate search of something interesting. And there, on a half-page advertising the “hottest new music for the summer,” I found a familiar name and a tidbit of news that got me smiling: Imani Coppola — think “Legend of a Cowgirl” — has teamed up with musician and programmer/producer Adam Pallin under the moniker Little Jackie.
Sparks were clearly flying from the moment Coppola and Pallin got together, and they immediately started recording what would become their debut album, The Stoop. Named after the Lisa Lisa & the Cult Jam song “Little Jackie Wants To Be a Star,” the duo play a blend of new age R&B and soul smattered with New York funk — kind of like something Amy Winehouse or Nikka Costa might record (without trying to pull comparison to Costa, my personal Queen of funk, of course). Their music definitely grooves, and Coppola’s witty, well-written lyrics are nothing short of pure poetic sass.
Unfortunately, the album’s only single, “The World Should Revolve Around Me,” would not have been my first pick. It’s not a bad track, but there are other choices that embody much more of what Little Jackie is about. Songs like “28 Butts” and the title track have a funky edge that make for great pop/R&B music, and when paired with standout tracks “Black Barbie” and “Guys Like When Girls Kiss,” The Stoop becomes a collection of seriously funky music.
But this record isn’t perfect. “Go Hard or Go Home” and “Cryin’ For the Queen” may add to the overall integrity of the album, but they aren’t gonna win Little Jackie much praise. Despite these low points, though — let’s just call those “dynamics” — The Stoop is still an album you can pop in your CD player and groove on from start to finish. If you need a little extra funk/soul/R&B in your life, check this record out. Just make sure you bring your dancing shoes.
