I'm Not Young But I Need The Money

They Say...

Review by Joe Viglione, All Music Guide

A clever array of sounds permeates this outing by the inventive dancemaster Monsieur Leroc. Though not as complex as Marvin Gaye and the soul legend's unique body of production work, the artist is certainly a student of that part of the musical landscape. As far out as Parliament/Funkadelic during their wild '70s explorations -- though milder and with more manners -- a segment like "P.off" unintentionally ripples with Sly Stone musings, a little "Family Affair" bubbling under the dance beats. Courtney Mace and Bargain Josh add much to the thick, grooving undercurrent, which trances on for close to seven minutes. "Baby" is low-key Prince from the 1999 era, a good diversion found somewhere inside the 46 minutes and 38 seconds that make up I'm Not Young But I Need the Money. German dancehalls are overflowing with American music, riding the wave of the U.K.'s vibrant Northern soul scene, and Arne Drescher in this incarnation takes that devotion further with Jerry Lee Lewis samples all over "Great Balls." It's a strange mutation of the Killer's neo-rockabilly evolving into what feels like an evening of Earth, Wind & Fire bandmembers having a musical tug of war on-stage. Jerry Lee's in-your-face sexuality simmers on the stove here, some kind of prelude to "Freewheelin' Frankie," an ode to Sinatra and a place that goes even further back in the time machine. Leroc unabashedly turns bachelor pad music on its head, though his sincerity is obvious and part of the charm. If Esquivel is the serious older brother, Monsieur Leroc is the kid who puts his inquisitive mind to good use while the elder sibling is not using the chemistry set. I'm Not Young But I Need the Money concludes with a multimedia track of "Cooley McCoolsen," the hipster opening cut that grooves steamier than Charles & Eddie or Terence Trent D'Arby at their most velvety sublime.