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CD Review DC & Co Ain't That Somethin' (Cold Wind Records No cat#) by Gordon Baxter Review date: May 2004 |
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Wow... what is this? Harp, horns and blues with a funky edge... "Take Me Down" kicks things off in some style. DC & Co are a very tight outfit, with everything being neat and tidy, including the guitar solo. Once the band have got your attention, they make sure they keep it by following up with "What a But-but" which ponders on the perverse delights of watching your baby walk away. This is a big band that knows how to swing, although they cannot be pigeonholed as a swing band. In several places, in fact, they reminded me of the sort of soul music that Graham Parker and the Rumour used to serve up.
The first major change of tack comes on "La Samba Da Castarella" where the band go Latin, and do it with some style. This one is so good that it had me thinking about comparisons with the late, great Tito Puente. Then it is off to jazz territory, where the band swing out, and show the likes of Jamie Cullem how it should be done.
DC's overriding vision holds everything together, as he mixes and matches the supporting cast of musicians--a total of 22 including DC--to get the most out of each of the songs. It is not a one man show, either, as he seems happy to let others take the lead vocal, or occupy the keyboard seat. Whether its soul, rhythm and blues, jazz or even rock'n'roll (the Chuck Berryesque "Move It On"), DC & Co take it all in their stride. They eventually get a well earned breather on "The New Wedding March" where DC and Mark Huber (piano) bring proceedings to an end.
"Ain't That Somethin'" certainly lives up to its title. It makes you sit up and take notice from the start, and it is guaranteed to have your feet moving before it has run its course. DC & Co combine rhythm and blues, soul and jazz to produce a great sound, which at times brings to minds bands like Roomful of Blues, and Tower of Power. DC is obviously a man with a mission to get everyone off their seats and onto the dance floors. "Ain't That Somethin'" should certainly do just that. Great stuff!
