It is about 98° outside today and nothing makes me crankier than having to tolerate a temperature that is also a boy band. This song by Menahan Street Band is a great remedy. Cool, relaxed, and shady. Starts off with a bluesy/western acoustic guitar intro with tons of delay to break up that heat. The hip hop rhythm pulls you into that 7 groove and once the horns kick in you’re straight chillin man.
The band certainly has a strong history having members from the Brooklyn based Daptone Records family headed by the great Bosco Mann (Gabriel Roth) of Antibalas. Daptone being the home of funk and soul produces several great artists like Sharon Jones and the Dapkings (who just recently played the Clearwater Festival along with Antibalas), Lee Fields, and Charles Bradley which featured Menahan Street who are now among some of the new groups coming out of Brooklyn that are giving funk, soul, and afrobeat a new breath of life.
Menahan is made up by former and current members of Antibalas, The Budos Band. As well as Leon Michels of the El Michel’s Affair on sax who have been working as the legendary Wu-Tang’s backup band since 2005 after being asked to back up Raekwon. Also on deck is the legendary drummer and recording industry favorite Homer Steinweiss, who has played with big names like Amy Winehouse, Michael Bublé, Foreigner, Bruno Mars, and Nas. Winehouse’s album, Back to Black, was recorded at Daptone Records produced by Mark Ronson.
Menahan are available on Spotify as well as their two records with Charles Bradley.
-Dethfrequency
Tonedeth 