Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings

Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings by Speeakz

Saturday, April 12, 2008, 1:55 am
Filed under: Gigs, Music, Music New, Must Read, Must Watch, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: 100 Days, 100 Nights, Dap Dappin' with Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings, Jazz Cafe, London, Naturally, Review, Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings

Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings are one of our favourite bands and one of our biggest [musical] secrets…

They are, simply put – incredible.

To us, Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings represent true soul, true funk and true [TRUE] R&B. We didn’t grow up in the 60′s and 70′s, but it was during these two decades some of the most amazing, innovative and exciting R&B/Soul/Funk music was created. [During this period] The genre was in its infacy and anything and everything was possible and new. We can only attempt to imagine what those years must have been like – the closet we can get  to that today is to re-visit those songs/artists, and try to imagine what it was like to be around during those historic years. But even in doing that, it is impossible to re-capture what it was like hearing those songs for the first time on the radio…That is, until now. Until you discover Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings.

The group capture old school soul and funk like no other artists around at the moment do. The only other contemporary act we can think of who has successfully captured that style of music (not lyrically, but musically) in this way is Amy Winehouse on “Back To Black” – but wait…Who were the musicians on that record?…Non other than…THE DAP KINGS! LOL.

The band create their authentic sound by shunning modern [digital] equipment and instead opt to use traditional [analogue] recording equipment. Not to mention, they’re amazing aptitude as musicians.

Their first major release “Dap Dappin’ with Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings” was a full out funk-attack album. The LP only sold a few hundred copies but grabbed the attention of funk DJ’s and reviewers and gained a significant reputation. It was universally praised – some saying that it was possibly one of the greatest funk albums ever created and that a new standard had been set.

…Pretty impressive stuff considering only a few hundred albums were pressed and sold!

The band’s second LP “Naturally“ was released in 2005, the difference with this album was that it wasn’t pure funk. “Naturally” mixed both funk and soul together. The album, unfortunately didn’t make too many waves, sales-wise. [You know the same ol' story of great albums going under the radar]. But nevertheless, Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings continued to generate a lot of interest on the underground and with established musicians/acts.

The Dap Kings were then hired as session musicians on a number of different projects involving producer Mark Ronson, most notably on the Amy Winehouse, mega successful ”Back To Black” album. The band appear on 6 of the 11 tracks on the multi-platinum, 5x Grammy Award winning LP. The group feature on two of the biggest tracks on the album – “Rehab” and “You Know I’m No Good” – it’s their musicianship that you hear on those amazing records [DOPE]. Aside from this, The Dap Kings appear on Mark Ronson’s highly successful album “Versions” and were Amy Winehouses’ backing band on her US tour.

In 2006, high off the success the band were having on other artists’ records, they began recording their third LP. “100 Days, 100 Nights”. The album was released in October 2007 and yet again, failed to sell in big volumes but did gain tons of critical acclaim, across the board. Their authentic soul sounds, reminiscent of Otis Redding, James Brown and early Motown, fronted by the power house that is Sharon Jones (who we think could challenge any of the great soul diva’s of yester-year) – proves a formidable combination, creating not only a great album but also a time machine, where listeners are taken back to when soul was still a baby.

All three of their albums are great! While listening to them you hear growth and change, but yet still feel that “homemade” vibe. It’s ridiculous how talented these ‘cats’ are. As musicians they are flawless, as a vocalist [Sharon Jones] is impeccable and as far as albums go - they are the new standard.

We URGE you to go and BUY their music [this means through LEGAL means!], support their work and encourage anyone and everyone to do the same. We need music like this.

Below is the video for “100 Days, 100 Nights”, check it out and let us know what you think. We’ll also be posting some music from Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings in the [not-so-distant] future for you to check out also…

Peace, Love & Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings

SpeakerBox

Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings will be performing three gigs at London’s famous Jazz Cafe THIS month (16th, 17th & 18th). We recommend you be there! Go HERE for tickets!

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