Funky times are here
again! Awesome retro tinged psych-soul from Connecticut three-piece.
As our hunger for all
things authentic and soulful continues it's only a matter of time
before the soul revival gets around to re-visiting the era when when
soul met psych. And that's what The Stepkids are serving up here on
their delightfully funky debut album. Hot on the heels of a series of
limited 12” vinyl releases, the Connecticut three-piece's self
titled album conjures up sounds reminiscent of post Monterey soul,
think The Temptations, Shuggie Otis, Funkadelic and Rotary
Connection. Though there's more to it than that; a willingness to
experiment, some exquisite baroque touches, along with sunshine pop
harmonies.
Recorded on analogue
tape much like the records in their collections, the album begins
with fittingly titled Intro, a slow 'n' swampy soul gumbo worthy of
Dr. John. Distant vocals appear out of the mist over a spacey bass,
conga and slide guitar before the track nicely leads into the more
urbane Brain Ninja. This sounds like the theme to some long lost
70's cop show, a deliciously daft song complete with wah wah guitar,
alternating falsetto, tenor and bass vocals. It lives up to its title
as I've not been able to get it out of my head since first hearing
it. There's a video online which despite owing much to the Beastie
Boys' Sabotage video is worth a look.
Click over the jump for more on The Stepkids.
