Few acts have created their own universe as successfully as Brooklyn-based Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings.
Forming in 1996, the band’s quest to create bona-fide funk-soul has
long outlived their original critics’ view that the 10-piece band was
merely some form of extended pastiche. Using only original instruments
from the 60s and 70s and recording in glorious analogue, they eschew any
post-modern references and create full-on, joyous grooves which achieve
their aim of sounding like they were dug up in some dusty old vinyl
shop.
Having cemented their reputation in the UK as being Mark Ronson’s house band and featuring strongly on Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black
album, their albums have never quite captured their full force as a
live act. Soul Time!, a compilation of singles, B sides and live
favourites of the past decade comes pretty close though, and serves as a
perfect introduction to the band. Showcasing bandleader Bosco Mann’s
soulful writing, Soul Time! scores with its note-perfect emotion and
keening brass arrangements. [...]
[...] There is nothing modern about Soul Time!, yet it sounds both
refreshing and contemporary. The exceptional musicianship and impeccable
vocals may not be to everyone’s taste, but for 40 very happy minutes,
you can revel in SJDK’s very discrete world.
No comments:
Post a Comment