What the critics are saying about

Ivan Neville's scrape:

"I think Ivan has stepped into something great; this has a vibe, like what he does on gigs. I love the production, all the funk - he's done it beautifully. He's found his own voice on record. He's his own Neville." – legendary performer Dr. John

“There's been much talk about the neo-soul movement these past few years, but journeyman singer-guitarist-keyboard player Neville has seldom been mentioned. More's the pity, because the dude should rightfully be hailed as one of the genre's prime movers. Maybe scrape, a potent blend of funky foot stompers and organically crafted R&B ballads, will set the record straight. Listen carefully and you may even hear a couple of Neville's heavy friends (and ex-employers) in the mix  -- namely Bonnie Raitt and Keith Richards. B+”  - Entertainment Weekly

“A hearty gumbo of authentic Big Easy funk; danceable R&B; heartfelt ballads; and psychedelic, blues-infused rock 'n' roll . . . Among the standout numbers, the title track pays homage to the Meters, the seminal New Orleans funk outfit led by Mr. Neville's uncles Art and Cyril during the 1970s. Here, by combining greasy Hammond organ, scratch guitar and second-line beats, Mr. Neville has produced some of the best funk to come out of New Orleans in years. The infectious "Life's Been Good" and "What You Want From Me" provide memorable second and third helpings. With scrape, Mr. Neville has upheld the high standards of his rich musical heritage — and through his belief in his music and sheer persistence, he has kept a record alive that will be enjoyed for years to come.” – Washington Times

“The next generation of the musical Neville family steps up to the plate and scores a solid run. Flexing a deep, gruff baritone, this younger Neville easily incorporates soul, blues, rock and a little bit of funk into his repertoire. An impressive list of talent - including George Duke (keyboards), Keith Richards (guitar), Bobby Watson (bass), Michael Brecker (horns) and Bonnie Raitt, Bobby Womack and father Aaron Neville on vocals - help him deliver a set that often has a social edge. Standouts include "The Ugly Truth" and "Ghetto Street," both of which purposefully incorporate elements of Marvin Gaye, and the ultra-funky, mainly instrumental title track.” – Montreal Mirror

 “When an artist with the pedigree of Neville Brother Ivan makes a bid for mainstream success, it’s hard not to feel he’s slumming, especially when doing so means trading some of his rootsy R&B power for the empty gloss of the mainstream. But scrape is about as fine a compromise between those two extremes as you could wish, filled with guest stars who can actually contribute (Keith Richards, Bonnie Raitt and father Aaron, for starters) and some excellent collisions between old school fatback and DAT-driven funk.” – Launch

“Ivan Neville gets into a funky, old-school scrape” – Knight Ridder News Service

“Ivan Neville does his family history proud with a righteous collection of R&B/funk . . . Ivan is not only clearly steeped in his family’s astonishing musical tradition, but has learned from such R&B/soul masters as Sly Stone, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye and Bobby Womak. Although scrape incorporates all of those influences, Ivan avoids coming off as derivative by injecting his own vocal and instrumental prowess.” – Tucson Citizen

(Critic’s pick) “This refreshing blast of modern funk comes from a new Neville generation. Although the family's New Orleans heritage definitely pops up in the sweaty R&B grind and dense percussion, brass and keyboard passages of What You Want From Me, the singer, keyboardist and son of vocal giant Aaron Neville has always been his own man. Maybe that comes from years of learning the ropes from such varied rockers as Keith Richards and Bonnie Raitt (both of whom, along with papa Aaron, make cameos here). As a result, Ghetto Street broadly echoes Marvin Gaye's topical soul gem Mercy Mercy Me and Lost Ball bounces to a sense of R&B romance that recalls, of all people, Teddy Pendergrass. It all makes scrape an engaging confluence of cross-generational grooves.” – Lexington Herald Ledger

“When all is played and sung, it is the integrity of Neville's gritty singing, his accentuate-the-positive songwriting and the proliferation of funky swamp grooves that make this disc special. There are overtures to changing times - a hip-hop interlude slips into the otherwise Marvin Gaye-flavored "Ghetto Street" - but the vibe is definitely soul deep and unrelentingly old school . . . scrape is more than a comeback - it's the realization of potential once hinted at and discarded.” – Winston-Salem Journal