In the Face of Funk

Released in 1994, In the Face of Funk represents a fascinating transitional period for Cameo. Recorded at Kudgit Sound Studio in Los Cerrillos, New Mexico, the album’s sonic character is noticeably drier and more isolated than their 80s output. It served as their first collection of new material since 1992’s Emotional Violence and acted as a bridge between their peak chart dominance and their later status as elder statesmen of funk. Sonically, the album leans heavily into the digital production trends of the mid-90s, incorporating elements of New Jack Swing and early House music into their established 'skeletal funk' framework. Despite the shift in location and era, the core trio of Blackmon, Jenkins, and Singleton maintains the aggressive, minimalist approach that defined their career. The album reached No. 83 on the Billboard R&B charts, proving that while they were no longer at the center of the pop zeitgeist, their core audience remained loyal to their uncompromising sound.