Posts Tagged Soul
Archive
April 7, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 49: War – “The World Is A Ghetto”
War – another band I really only know from compilations, from hearing at other people’s places, recommendations that I’ve never quite followed up on. But as with the previous entry in this series (The Temptations) this is so totally in my wheelhouse as to be a gross oversight not knowing it already – and I’m […]Archive
April 6, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Vulfpeck: Mr Finish Line
Vulfpeck Mr Finish Line Vulf Records Vulfpeck’s Hipster-Funk would be easy to dismiss were they not so damn good. Viral videos and the earlier EPs suggested fun and energy – and funk and soul too. Chops galore. A love of music, a sense of humour, just enough heart too. And maybe Mr Finish Line is […]Archive
April 3, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 48: The Temptations – “All Directions”
I certainly do love The Temptations but I’d always kinda wondered how they went from the obvious Motown soul-pop of their early magic to a slightly harder-edged, psychedelic funk. Look, it was all great to me – but it didn’t flow well across compilations, and that’s really how I knew them. Then I got a […]Archive
March 6, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio: Close But No Cigar
Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio Close But No Cigar Colemine Records This Seattle-based trio of musicians (Lamarr on the organ, guitarist Jimmy James and drummer David McGraw) keep it greasy as they move through 60s and 70s-sounding funk, blues and groove soul-jazz amalgams. Yes, an easy, obvious reference point is Booker T & The M.G’s. And […]Archive
March 3, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 429
The Robert Cray Band, Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark (1988) I have fond memories of discovering Robert Cray, all wrapped up with my childhood and moving into my early teen years. My mum bought Bad Influence on what I’m sure was a whim; I don’t reckon any of us knew anything about him until […]Archive
February 12, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The James Hunter Six: Whatever It Takes
The James Hunter Six Whatever It Takes Daptone Records I’ve always loved the sound James Hunter makes – a mix of ska-inflected R’n’B with jazzy horns and bluesy guitar licks; he’s got the Sam Cooke sound down vocally and he sting those strings like Robert Cray. I’ve always worried about how James Hunter is doing […]Archive
January 16, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
From The Archives: The Fred Wesley Interview
Sometimes the interview goes better than you could have planned – you’re into it, you want it to go well but the person on the other end of the line is a total pro, more than they they seem real – even if it’s the Staged-Interview Version of Real. So it was for me with […]Archive
January 14, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 449
V/A, Heed The Call! (Whakarongo, Nga Tamariki): Soul, Funk & Disco From Aotearoa, 1973-1983 (2017) This is a new release, or was at the end of last year – I guess it was my Christmas present to myself. A must-have just for the long version of Dalvanius & The Fascinations’ Voodoo Lady. But so much […]Archive
January 14, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings: Soul of a Woman
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings Soul of a Woman DAPTONE Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings were, to me, first and foremost a live act – an incredible live act – and she (and expert soul-stylists, The Dap Kings) were never quite able to capture that sort of magic in the studio. She was […]Archive
January 11, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
L’Orange: The Ordinary Man
L’Orange The Ordinary Man Mello Music Group If Chilly Gonzalez and DJ DSL collaborated it might come out sounding exactly like the music that Nashville-based producer L’Orange harvests. Chilled beats provide the framework for a dust-off of old jazz and blues samples. It’s a winning formula. One L’Orange knows just how (correctly) to milk, never […]Archive
January 10, 2018 by Simon Sweetman