<*dv_1*>Everything about this record screams 1973. The retro sleeve design, the old school funk soul sound, through to the declamatory James Brown style MC introducing Sharon Jones and the band. In fact you would be forgiven for thinking that this was an album by one Browns backing singers such as Lyn Collins or Marva Whitney. However despite the camouflage it wasnt recorded thirty years ago but last year.
<*dv_0*> Its a record unashamed of its influences and when you hear the massive break, chicken scratch guitar and pithy horns of Got A Thing On My Mind which opens the record its hard to care about originality. Its a great track which raises expectations for the rest of the record which sadly the rest of the songs dont quite live up to.
What have you done for me lately is a grittily funked up version of the Janet Jackson track. Sharon Jones voice is great. Effortlessly exuding power to dominate over the bottom heavy funk brew of the Dap Kings. Her voice reminds me of Tina Turner 60s R&B output with its keening urgency.
The other stand out track is Make It Good To Me which is one of the few slow songs on the record. Joness voice is centre stage, gentle horns and a few discreet strings create one of the most soulful moments on the record.
<*dv_2*> However there is something about this record that just leaves me cold. I know it sounds great, but somehow it just doesnt excite. I can imagine that Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings are absolutely killer live but somehow it just doesnt translate to record. There is some intangible ingredient missing. Its tragically unfair to the people involved here because I cant tell them anything specific that is wrong with this record but I simply cant recommend it.
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