“Bump Kitchen’s Who Ordered The Waffle? is an album tailor made for musicians and serious fans of funk music. Casual fans might not care about hearing a band where the musicians demand equal billing with the vocalist. And that’s not because lead singer Tony Harper can’t hold his own. Nothing can be further from the truth. Harper has raspy, throaty tenor voice that’s perfectly in sync with the high energy brand of rock infused funk that is Bump Kitchen’s forte. It’s just that Bump Kitchen features a group of musicians who play at a high level. Living as we do in what can be called the era known for the cult of the singer – particularly in R&B – the kind of virtuosity displayed by this band may not be appreciated by casual listeners. That’s too bad because these guys smoke from beginning to end. The cut “I’ll Decide” oozes machismo as Harper rips through a tune in which he admonishes his lady about the bad choices she makes. The solution to grab some of her autonomy and start making decisions might rub some ladies the wrong way. But the song that features Joe Bevens doing some inspired plucking and thumping on his bass perfectly sums up the Bump Kitchen sensibility right down to the unaccompanied guitar solo that takes the song out. These guys have the skills and they aren’t ashamed to show it.”
Notable Tracks: Mona Lisa, Don’t Doubt, I’ll Decide, Traffic
Vocals: 3.0
Lyrics: 2.5
Music: 3.5
Production: 3.0
Soultracks Call: Recommended
By Howard Dukes
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“… Lucky for us, while other groove merchants have headed straight for the cover band circuit, Bump Kitchen has also been here keeping Grit City’s booties shakin’ with original funk jams. Bump Kitchen shows are known for intense energy and Harper’s rich, soulful vocals. But personally, my favorite part of the band’s set is when the Bittler runs through the crowd during a frenzied keytar solo. Really, the keytar deserves a revival on par with the whole cowbell comeback from a few years back. Are you with me, people? Maybe not. But I’m not the only one with a fever for more keytar. “When he jumps off and Tony jumps offstage, those cats become unglued,” James said. “The crowd loves it. The women love it, the guys love it. It’s just a great time.”
Ernest A. Jasmin – Tacoma News Tribune
“Jazzbones has been a center of gravity for some of the best acts ever to grace the South Sound. It begins tonight with Bump Kitchen. Northwest funk, R&B, and blues amalgam Bump Kitchen have managed to make a name for themselves in recent years thanks to constant touring and some searing groove-craft. ”
Staff – The Weekly Volcano
“Bobble Tiki likes to say he put the “bump” in Bump Kitchen — always pointing toward his lap and doing one of those pelvic thrust moves with a wink. Typically, Bobble Tiki does this at Bump Kitchen shows, when trying to lure unsuspecting middle aged women drunk on white wine on to the dance floor. Sometimes it even works. At a Bump Kitchen show, there’s plenty of action like this to be had. Packing the dance floor with a body grabbing, booty shaking mix of groovin’ favorites and bumpin’ originals, Bump Kitchen is, like, the party band for the middle age club scene — a cougar heavy, expensive jeans wearing, tanned and trimmed mob that should never be taken lightly.”
BOBBLE TIKI – The Weekly Volcano
“Thanks for the friend action on FB. I wanted to reach out to you ever since hearing your interview on NW Convergence Zone. First reason, I love the old school, r & b, funk and soul pushed forward to the new century. Yeah, you brothers have got the shit!”
Cat Jeter – Shock Treatment Management
“Review Summary: Bump Kitchen’s latest release will resonate with fans of funk and blues alike. With a musical stew this delicious, listeners will more than likely come back for seconds once the album concludes.”
Jason Randall Smith – Review