Song of the Day - Budos Band: "Chicago Falcon"

Today's song came to me as a result of a friend's recommendation. My buddy Rob called me and told me I should check out Budos Band because he thought I would really like them and that I should post something about them. Now, normally I never promise anything because I take the business of writing this blog very seriously, so I told him I would check out their MySpace, but ultimately I would only post something if I liked what I heard. It basically took about 30 seconds for me to decide that I liked these guys.

According to their MySpace page Budos Band is comprised of 12 members and their musical style can be described as "Instrumental Staten Island Afro-Soul" (their words). What does that mean exactly? Basically it means they lay the funk down with the best of them. By mixing Afrobeat percussion (Tony Allen would be proud), funk-inspired bass lines, and soulful horn melodies, Budos Band creates a hodgepodge of beats and rhythms that can get any party started.

"Chicago Falcon" is the lead track off their generically titled sophomore album Budos Band II and it showcases this winning formula quite well. Waves of jazzy bass, funk guitar, conga/bongo drums, and a piercing organ prop up a brass fanfare that pronounces the coming of some severely funky times ahead. It's a great way to kick off a record and lure in the listener for the long haul. Luckily, the rest of it is so good that keeping your interest shouldn't be much of a concern.

Budos Band - "Chicago Falcon" (from Budos Band II")
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Get Your Soul On: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings

I don't purport to be an expert on Soul music, but I think I have an ear for it that is better than most. For the last couple of years I have heard about Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings here and there. Mostly, in the context of Amy Winehouse's debut album and recent tour, where The Dap Kings served as her backing band, but I still never bothered to really give their stuff a thorough listen. After hearing some tracks off their forthcoming third album, 100 Days, 100 Nights (Oct. 6th on Daptone Records), you can bet that is going to change (I am feverishly looking for a leaked copy to download while I wait until I can buy it on vinyl).

Listen to the lethal combo of Jones' Tina Turner-like bombast and the R&B-ish funk groove of The Dap Kings for five minutes and you'll swear you are listening to an obscure 45 record from the 1960's, but in reality these jams were recorded just two years ago. That's because this music can stand toe-to-toe with almost anything produced during that golden era of Soul/Funk. Judge for yourself and tell me what you think.

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - Various songs (from The Hype Machine)

*Photo taken courtesy of flickr user Jon Madison >>>Continue reading "Get Your Soul On: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings"