Boulevards, the brainchild of Jamil Rashad, is back with a vengeance on Carolina Funk: Barn Burner On Tobacco Road. Teaming up with producer Sergio Rios (Orgone, Say She She, Neal Francis), Rashad digs deep into the raw, muddy, and infectious roots of funk. The album echoes the grit and soul of rare funk records and blaxploitation soundtracks, with its syncopated basslines, tight drums, and punchy horns that embody the spirit of live, unfiltered funk.

In February 2022, Boulevards released his fourth studio album, Electric Cowboy: Born In Carolina Mud, which was a big breakthrough for the Raleigh, N.C. native. Despite an 18-month whirlwind of tours and promotions, Rashad's creativity remained relentless. Instead of taking a well-earned break, he returned to his roots in North Carolina, simmering with new ideas. Joining forces with longtime friends and musicians, including writer Gentle Nature and J.J. Whitefield of the Poets of Rhythm, Rashad began working on what would become Carolina Funk. With themes of love, vulnerability, and self-reflection guiding his songwriting, he channeled the joy of his recent engagement into a positive creative force.

“After Electric Cowboy was released, I thought hard about my intentions for the next album,” Rashad shares. “The objective was to make a record that echoes the spirit of my live shows and reflects the truest ‘me.’”

Carolina Funk is a tribute to Rashad's home and captures the essence of his electric live performances. Recording live and straight to tape for the first time, Rashad teamed up with Dan Hastie (keys), Dale Jennings (bass), and Sam Halterman (drums), to summon the album’s raw, authentic sound. With contributions from Mike Buckley (Daptones, Budos Band), Blake Rhein (Durand Jones & the Indications), and Kendra Morris, and the album mix by Adrian Quesada of Black Pumas and Will Grantham, the album achieves the sound Rashad sought to achieve.

Among the standout tracks, "What We Live For" holds a special place for Rashad. Departing from his usual practice of embedding personal lyrics beneath groovy instrumentals, the song wears its heart on its sleeve. Rashad admits that hearing the finished version brought him to tears. “It’s about celebrating love,” he says, underscoring the tender nature of the song. Similarly, “Run And Move” explores the fears and vulnerabilities of relationships, showcasing Rashad's keen insight into human nature. Despite the challenges in the studio, the track epitomizes Rashad’s artistic ethos and stands out as one of his most compelling works. Boulevards isn’t just back, he's here to dominate the funk world with a sound that's as legit as it gets.