Down to the Bone

Someday, someone will figure out how the British became so adept - and these days, far more adept than just about anyone on the mainstream American music scene - at creating memorable R&B and funk. In the meantime, marvel at the ease and effervescence of the latest release from UK groove mavens Down to the Bone. With members who have played with the Brand New Heavies, Craig David, and Jamiroquai (all British, by the way), there are credentials and musical talents to burn on this collection of instrumentals. ``Back in Business,'' the opening track, is punched up with Hammond organs and piano melodies floating just above a throbbing backbeat. ``I'll Always Hold You Close,'' with its old-school bass line and sneering high hat, is just a warm-up for ``Timeless,'' a floor burner that percolates with a loose Salsoul sauciness. Just to mix things up, there's the Brazil-tinged ``Dancing to a Samba'' with a nod to Sergio Mendes and Brazil '66. Things mellow out for a minute with ``The Flow'' and ``You're the Only Reason,'' but the party gets started again with ``Down in the Basement. '' A winner from start to finish, Down to the Bone dabbles in jazz and samba, but always serves it up with healthy, hip-waking hunk o' funk.