As they celebrate their 20th anniversary, Philadelphia blues/hip hop trio G. Love and Special Sauce release album number eight, the vibrantly loose Sugar.
Sugar amps up the group’s earthy feel on 14 short songs that touch on soul, early rock, R&B and spooky old blues. The band’s tag of being “loose” should be more accurately designated as “relaxed,” as they never sound serious or uptight, choosing old, rough sounds and casual production techniques.
G. Love and Special Sauce is based in old fidelity blues simplicity and they use that foundation to take off rockin’ – songs are short and unrestrained.
They share a straining-at-the-leash edge that powers performers like the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Jack White, although they’re less prone to mayhem.
The group’s fondness for soul sounds shines through on One Night Romance, a joyful track that features a duet with gospel singer Merry Clayton.
And while they delight in brash performance, they keep ears open for forgotten riffs and progressions (Weekend Dance #2).
Good Life kicks in with a dirty explosion of raw guitar and lurking bass sounds, livened with squalling harp and slacker/hip hop vocals.
They capture the restlessness and off-hand irreverence of rural, backwoods blues. There’s no obsessing over pristine tone, showboating or flashy arrangements. Just a whole lotta “go!”
– Dean Gordon-Smith is a Vernon-based musician who reviews the latest music releases every Friday.
