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The Baldwin Brothers’ forte is dirty Funk/Trip Hop, heavy on the Rhodes electric piano. It’s upbeat, positive stuff, with only a couple tunes that delve into slow groove minor key darkness. There’s a handful of guest vocalists and MCs featured here, but the Baldwins’ strength lies in their instrumental work. Snappy bass and super funky drums propel the whole album, best exemplified by the fast groove of the opening cut “Right On.” I defy you to drive the speed limit while listening to this track in your car. There is diversity here, and not just due to the vocal performances by so many so-so vocalists. Revisiting ’60s organ Jazz and ’70s Funk, The Baldwins’ warm, organic stuff works best. A couple cuts border on Techno, but don’t venture too far into Electronica. Their smooth but funky grooves complimented by some clever turntable scratching make the Baldwin Brothers sound at times like DJ Shadow riffing over an old Steely Dan record. Jam band fans (and, more specifically, followers of Charlie Hunter and Medeski, Martin And Wood) will dig this ’cause it’s highly danceable and flat-out fun. Golden Rhodes closes out with a lazy last-call lament featuring perennial underdog hero Mark Lanegan on vocals (“The Party’s Over”). Perhaps the only vocal contribution that brings anything interesting to this otherwise excellent, largely instrumental album, it’s a crushing heartbreak revelation. (Ric Hickey) Grade: B-
Available at Shake It Records – Click here to buy
This article appears in Oct 25-31, 2006.
