Jamil Rashad, a/k/a Boulevards, is part of the batch of new indie soul musicians lighting up the music world and bringing some serious grooves back into contemporary popular music. In Boulevards’ case, he is all about the funk, but whereas Dâm-Funk creates a more dreamy, cerebral brand of nu funk, Boulevards goes in for pop-influenced funk party jams that are meant to rock the house and the dancefloor, while putting a smile on your face and lighting your fire. Boulevards perfectly titles his new album releasing this week Groove! with that all-important exclamation point, just in case you were wondering what this music is really about. Not just grooves either, but some serious sultry, sexy, sometimes witty and always fun grooves. Interestingly, Rashad spent his teens listening to metal and punk and he brings a great deal of that visceral energy into his sound with Boulevards. Seriously, tee up the cocktails or a bottle of Hennessy, pop this album on the player, and invite all your friends over… it’s going to be a memorable evening.