Goin’ way back with Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Soul hasn’t been this well represented in years
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
I Learned The Hard Way
Released on Apr 06, 2010
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings may as well be making music right out of the 1960’s and 70’s soul movement. Their revivalist movement has truly brought the funk back to the 2000’s and thankfully so. The group brought it back starting in 1996 and hasn’t let up since. This New York conglomerate finished their fourth-coming album with plenty of recognition from previous releases. The expectations are high and rightfully so, as their previous releases have done nothing but grooved all over your face. I Learned The Hard Way is no exception.
Opening up the album with “The Game Gets Old,” Jones and crew sway us into an R&B lullaby. The powerful and soul-filled voice of Jones immediately arouses the ear leaving listeners in a haze of the 60’s and 70’s soul movement. An authentic sound like theirs could dupe listeners to think they have been playing together for decades.
The title track, “I Learned The Hard
Way,” demonstrates that funky soul power all fans of the genre love.
The rhythmic lyric followed by the echoing of backup singers continues
to pound the authenticity of this revival group. The horn section
in full blast provides dynamics and passion only soul music can provide.
Moving along to “Money” opening up with a slow breakdown of Jones talking about how money is terrible, but necessary. Jones bursts with emotion singing, “Money, where have you gone to?” This abrupt, yet tasteful, opening sets the tone for this funky tune. Blasts of intensity from all directions as the horn section riffs, drumming becomes more powerful, and Jones begins shrieking with fervor. This perfect storm of music climaxes to a superbly potent end.
The following track, “The Reason,” gives Jones a rest and allows the Dap-Kings to groove along with an irresistibly funky jam session. I get a feeling Jones is about to hop in to sing along with this one, but at about 50 seconds I realize Jones has no part in this song. Neal Sugarman, one of the originators of Daptone records, on the saxophone provides the low funky chorus. The overall taste of their talents showcases a testament to what this band is all about. They embrace and immerse themselves in the history of the genre by playing refreshingly original tunes with much respect for their predecessors.
“She Ain’t a Child No More” gives a good mix of what they are all about. A little bit of soul, a little bit of funk, and a whole lotta groove. Backup singers echo Jones’s swooping melody in the reoccurring lines, “She ain’t a child no more.” That might come off as annoying if it weren’t for Jones and the gang doing things with class, as they naturally do.
High Point
A constant groove is provided throughout, never allowing a beat to lag.
Low Point
The forty minute effort could add a few more instrumental jams to the mix.
Posted by Daniel Wehrli on Apr 20, 2010 @ 6:00 am