Album Review: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings- Give The People What They Want

Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings

Give The People What They Want

***and1/2 out of *****

It was a tough 2013 for Sharon Jones who had to delay this albums release after being diagnosed with cancer. The songs here were recorded and set before her health issues, so the topics that are covered are more common ones; love and money.

Jones & the Dap Kings were key to the resurrection of the "retro soul sound" and they continue their style, tight arraignments that groove along with minimal excess while showcasing bright horns, fluid bass and Jones comforting voice. "Retreat!" is the album opener (and highlight) as a sassy Jones tells a lover to get away cause she is dangerous over popping brass and great guitar fills. The 70's sorrowful soul jam of "We Get Along" turns a negative into a positive, basically keepin' on keepin' on while disc closer "Slow Down, Love" is in this relaxed vein as well.  

The percussion perks up for "You'll Be Lonely" as various drums get in on the act and the low end also highlights "Long Time, Wrong Time" with a killer bass line. "People Don't Get What They Deserve" motors along with fantastic vibraphone accentuation, the title surely hit home with Jones' recent health developments, even if the track is more focused on financial inequality. 

A track like "Now I See" seems a bit mismatched, with chimes, a screeching vocal from Jones, and heavy baritone sax, but the combo doesn't light the fire that the song seems to strive for. The smooth soul of "Making Up and Breaking Up (And Making Up and Breaking Up Over Again)" is a direct hit with its sultry backing vocals and trumpet lines.

The whole outfit seem to be in the groove and indeed Giving The People What They Want, playing the style of music they love and many appreciate. This is professional, tight, soul. 
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Of course Jones health is going to be in every review but the tunes don't need much of a story to sell them.  If you like 70's R&B/soul give this a listen.

Support the band here, buy the album here and peep some video below:

Album Review: Miss Sharon Jones! Soundtrack

Hey all, got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here!!!

It is of the soundtrack of the new documentary film Miss Sharon Jones! The soundtrack takes live tracks from Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings from throughout the bands amazing career. We have written about the band before, but still don't think they get enough credit for basically creating that retro-soul sound that seems to be everywhere right now. 

The trailer for the film is below as well as a song from the soundtrack. Read the review and enjoy the film. 

Sharon Jones Recovering, New Album in Early 2014

Thanks to our Daddies over at Glide, we were able to find out the good news that Sharon Jones is doing better after being diagnosed with Cancer right when her newest album was supposed to be released. The bands Give The People What They Want will be now out Jan 14th.

No it is not a Kinks cover album, but rather a tasty bit of retro soul that Jones and her Dap-Kings help put back on the map. We talked about the first single when we thought the album would be out this summer, and we still dig it now looking forward to the disk and very glad Jones is doing better health wise. We hope to catch them in February, though the Beacon would not have been our first choice, who needs seats when you got the soulful funky stuff?

Here is the official video for "Retreat" with damn cool animation:

Just Announced: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings Holiday Show 12/10/16

Holiday shows will be announced fast and furious over the next few days and from Jambands we got some funky news now.

Tomorrow tickets go on-sale for Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings Holiday Show scheduled for 12/10 in Jersey City. You can grab tickets here tomorrow.

We have written a lot about Sharon and company lately so we won't go much more into it now. The band will be playing cuts from their album It's A Holiday Soul Party so lets listen to some tracks from that and just get down and funky.

New Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings Tune: "Retreat"

After a couple of days of reviewing electro based music, we thought we would share the new single from the fantastic retro-soul outfit Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings.  The track is called "Retreat" and it has all the makings of a goody: blaring horns, fired up lyrics, stomping drums...give it a listen here...

Big up's to Daptone Records who do a great job.

The band's new album Give The People What They Want, comes out in August and we will be looking for it.You can pre-order the disk today and grab the single immediately.

Here is an older tune of SJ&TDK that we dig for your evening listening pleasure. Really great Video too...   

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings To Release Final Studio Album

Last year we lost a great soul singer and rhythm and blues spirit when Sharon Jones died from cancer. Now comes the news that she will be remembered by one final studio effort titled Soul of a Woman which  recorded last year.

We here at RtBE  have loved her career and reviewed her in the past so we look forward to this album. In order to prep for it check the video from her first single "Matter of Time" along with the full track listing below. The great thing about musical legends is that they never truly die as their music will live on.



Soul of a Woman Tracklist:
Matter of Time
Sail On!
Just Give Me Your Time
Come and Be a Winner
Rumors
Pass Me By
Searching for a New Day
These Tears (No Longer for You)
When I Saw Your Face
Girl! (You Got to Forgive Him)
Call on God

RIP Sharon Jones

RtBE would like to honor the passing of a great soul singer Sharon Jones who died this weekend, she was 60.

We just recently reviewed her soundtrack, and it hurts our heart she passed. As Zevon said, "Enjoy every sandwich". Here are some videos of her and her Daptones, the peoples who brought real R&B back to the forefront. 

Full Show Friday: Led Zeppelin 1970 Royal Albert Hall

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's.  These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...Led Zeppelin!

So last month we skewed a bit different with our Full Show Friday's and presented Jazzy January here at RtBE. Judging by the lack of page clicks that wasn't the wisest of moves...hmm, well we personally liked it, especially that killer John Zorn set. Anyways,

lets go back into the mainstream, this month only shows from artists people know and hopefully love.

Starting the month off we got Led Zeppelin. While not one of our personal favorites, they are omnipresent in the rock universe. This show catches them at an earlier time in their career specifically the touring off of Led Zeppelin II. The band would turn a bit more folksie and "Stairway-y later on, but here the set is dominated by the British electric blues sound and lots of guitar experiments from Jimmy Page.

The rawness and energy is there throughout, highlights for us are the Willie Dixon cover of "I Can't Quit You", "Communication Breakdown" and our favorite jam from the fellas (and Dixon again) "Whole Lotta Love".

Enjoy:
 

Led Zeppelin - Live at the Royal Albert Hall 1970 (Full Concert)

00:27 We're Gonna Groove (James A. Bethea, Ben E. King)
03:40 I Can't Quit You Baby (Willie Dixon)
10:36 Dazed and Confused (Jimmy Page)
26:09 White Summer (Page)
38:32 What Is and What Should Never Be (Page, Robert Plant)
43:11 How Many More Times (John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Page)
1:03:28 Moby Dick (Bonham, Jones, Page)
1:18:49 Whole Lotta Love (Bonham, Dixon, Jones, Page, Plant)
1:25:13 Communication Breakdown (Bonham, Jones, Page)
1:29:29 C'mon Everybody (Jerry Capehart, Eddie Cochran)
1:32:00 Somethin' Else (Bob Cochran, Sharon Sheeley)
1:34:10 Bring It On Home (Bonham, Dixon, Jones, Page, Plant)

Album Review - Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics -It's About Time

 Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics
It’s About Time
**** out of *****

Wielding that mid 60’s-70’s soul/funk sword like experts Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics cut through the pre-programmed nonsense that passes itself off as R&B in 2012. The Atlanta based band continues down the retro-soul path that Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings popularized last decade and if their debut album It’s About Time is any indication the group will quickly become stars in the genre and hopefully beyond.

 “My Dear” kicks things off with confidence, strutting out of the gate and building to a cinematic chorus recalling Marvin Gaye.  The band is happy to go up tempo when they get the snare and baritone sax pumping for “Medicine Spoon” which cooks over organs, horn pops and Ruby’s relationship deadline lyrics.  Equally adept when they slow the tempo down the band gets sultry with “The Agenda” displaying gorgeous musical arrangements and vocals.           

What stands out the most is the balanced nature of this band; this genre seems to have multiple acts with dominating frontmen/women and weak supporting bands, or whip crack musicians fronting less than engaging singers/lyricists.  Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics seem to be on equal terms all around; the vocals never override the tunes and the music never distracts from Ruby’s performance. 

It’s About Time isn’t perfect, “The Man Says” is a bit stagnant and the title track “It’s About TIme” sticks around too long without really saying all that much lyrically or musically closing things on a weaker note.  Those critiques mean little however when compared to the rest of this fantastic debut disk. “Soul Of The Earth” is an adventurous funky excursion that gets the party started before coming back to earth then soaring high again all in 5 minutes while “Looking For A Better Thing” has a light and airy Jackson 5 vibe that delights. 

“Mr. Wrong” tosses the sound back even further with its swinging 50’s feeling that makes you crave a milkshake from a counter before “Longview” plants us firmly in the present with its lounge hip-hop beats and champagne smooth red velvet feel.  Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics have simply nailed it with their debut album It’s About Time, don’t waste any time, dig in today.  

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This review was originally written to be posted on Glide, but it hasn't gone up yet and after re-listening to the album this past weekend, I felt it needed to go somewhere soon or be lost amongst the weeds so we will slap it with our overflow reviews.  Last year we came across JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound and were pleased that the retro soul vibe was going on as strong as ever.  Ruby Velle and The Soulphonics even up the ante a bit with the debut release, this group has tons of potential.

Give them a peek in the videos below for a taste, grab the album here and support them live here. 
"My Dear"

Live from 2010

"Heartlite" an older tune:

Celebrate Brooklyn Free Shows 2016

Last week we discussed some free shows from Summerstage in Central Park. Today we highlight some shows from the Celebrate Brooklyn Series that has a lot of our old and new favorites.

Brooklyn Vegan has complied a full list for everyone. Bands that jump out to us are Dr. Dog, Sharon Jones, The Violent Femmes and more. 

The Wood Brothers are playing as well as killer lineup of Femi Kuti and Bombino on July 22nd. You can also access the full site and peep some video below to get in the mood:

 

 

Album Review - JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound - Want More

JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound

Want More

***and1/2 out of *****

The party soul flows hot like lava with JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound's first release on Bloodshot Records, Want More.  That is exactly what the group seems to be shooting for, more, as they take the freewheelin' singer fronting a drum tight soul band motif made famous yesteryear and starts it up again for a new generation.  The trend has been in vogue lately with lots of groups (Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Fitz &The Tantrums etc.) but Brooks radiates that unmistakable front man charm, vocals and magnetism that is crucial for these types of outings, not to mention the band cooks.

The title track and "I Can See Everything" both give off that good times vibe with flashes of Karl Denson jam ability but the groups obvious influence arrived a few decades earlier via Sly and the Family Stone era interplay.  The sunshine throwback style of "Everything's Will Be Fine" is extremely polished exhibiting a band that is lock step together when it comes to delivering the goods.  "I Got High" shows off some top notch vocals and more intricate playing if not the most astute lyrics, but those seem to be secondary throughout this first major release from the band.       

2 highlight tracks are "To Love Someone Who Don't Love You" and the bands cover of Wilco's "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart".  On their original the falsetto singing, strings and over the top orchestration raises the bar for this band to expand upon their soul roots in the future, while the cover of their fellow Chicago band's tune turns the original on it's ear, crafting a unique interpretation that might surpass the source material in quality and enhancement.

Things could get a bit more dirty/funky in places as opposed to grease slick soul, lyrically the group will also hopefully evolve, but this is a fantastic effort that will make listeners smile and shimmy.   
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This review never saw the light of day last year and it is a shame, because this album is a winner.  I caught JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound twice over the MassMOCA Festival weekend last year, and they were one of the standout acts from the weekend.  The album is a real joy ride, nothing to deep, just a band playing to their strengths.  If you are into that crisp soul sound give it a whirl, with out a doubt Wilco fans should peep their cover, I certainly like it better then the original as it downplays the so-so poetry and plays up the emotional fisticuffs.  I think Tweedy may too as he came out and performed it with the band last year...

Grab the album here and preview some tracks below:

"I Am Trying To Break Your Heart" Wilco Cover


"Everything Will Be Fine"


"To Love Someone That Don't Love You" Live, stripped down and still impressive..

Jazzfest Starts Tomorrow! Stream it on WWOZ

The best festival in the United States starts tomorrow as the first weekend of New Orleans Jazzfest gets underway. 

RtBE will be down next weekend to bask in the sunshine, music and positive vibes from all the locals, we can not wait. For this weekend though, we will be streaming some of the artists on WWOZ. Here is the fantastic radio channels lineup for bands to stream during the fest. 

Some of our favorites are on there like Meschiya Lake & the Little Big Horns, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings and the Treme Brass Band so give them a listen when they play the fest. We will post some video below to get you in the grooving mood. 

Album Review: Carlton Jumel Smith - 1634 Lexington Ave

Carlton Jumel Smith

1634 Lexington Ave

**** out of *****

The retro soul world lost two immense talents recently with the passing of Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley, but the genre is far from barren. Take the excellent new release from Carlton Jumel Smith, 1634 Lexington Ave is a lush funky look back to the hey day of soul with, top notch musicians, modern production and stout vocals from Smith.

The album opener "Woman You Made Me" sets the tone as the wah-wah guitars, smooth horn breaks and funky retro soul work, all support Smith singing about love. He uses metaphors like gambling, fighting and swimming all to constantly describe the emotion as he weaves through different pleads for companionship.

"Love Our Love Affair" finds Smith wanting to make his partner an honest woman while "Ain't That Love" slows down the groove very reminiscent of Bradley's work as he serenades his sweetheart. The whole album is directly in the pocket for this style and there are no clunkers but one of the highlight offerings is "Remember Me?" with it's bubbling bass, crisp horn lines and great guitar work.

"We're All We Got" kicks up more of a disco laden groove for the dance floor, "Help Save Me From My Self" is gorgeous pleading soul work while "I Better" has all the hallmarks of classics from the hey day of soul with excellent drum work pushing to the forefront. Album closer "I Can't Love You Anymore" is a dripping in the blues as Smith and company deliver a burning conclusion to a powerful album as he shifts up his singing voice to go a few registers higher adding a new dimension as the record ends. 

Any fan of soul music should check out 1634 Lexington Ave as Carlton Jumel Smith and team have crafted a fantastically strong genre piece which fans and new comers will both adore.
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Support the artist, buy the album, stream it on bandcamp or below and peep some video: