initially i was just going to post about my new favorite ear candy, sharon jones & the dap-kings, but after spending some time on their record label's website, i'm just going to have to focus on daptone records, because i simply couldn't decide which of their artists to share with you first.
so here's the deal - my friend, mike, who i consistently depend on for music recommendations, recently introduced me to sharon jones & the dap-kings. a nine piece collective from brooklyn, new york, sharon jones & the dap-kings are subtle, soulful and reflective of a musical era long since passed. if you like the sounds of james brown, the shirelles, or early gladys knight, then you will love sharon jones & the dap-kings. i highly recommend you check out their latest release, 'i learned the hard way,' which was recorded on an old ampex 8 track, giving the album an authentic anaolog sound so familiar in my old motown favorites. here's a little video sample of what you are in for:
hard to believe it was recorded in 2009, right?!
when i told mike i was going to do a blog post on sharon jones, he suggested i also look into daptone records, jones' record label. when he suggested this, i really had no idea that i would spend the following 72 hours downloading and listening to a majority of their artists. so. many. great. artists!
so let me introduce you. daptone records is an independant soul and funk record label, located in brooklyn, new york. run by gabriel roth and neal sugarman, daptone records most of their releases in their customized recording studio and only record on analog tape - maintaining that pure analog sound you heard in the sharon jones song.
aside from sharon jones, there's also naomi shelton and the gospel queens, who have quickly sung their way into my heart. they are less gospel and more soul, and naomi's gravely, deep voice (reminds me a little of nina simone) is a great juxtaposition to the gospel queens' silky smooth harmonies and back-up vocals. their album, 'what have you done, my brother,' is a solid and strong 45 minutes worth of listening. here's a sample of naomi's power:
additional favorites from daptone records include, pax nichols & the netty family and the budos band. both these bands are completely instrumental and are as fun as funk should be.
daptone also has another project, como now, that is definitely worth mentioning. in 2006, daptone went to a small rural town in mississippi and placed an ad in the newspaper, inviting singers to come down to a local church and record traditional and original gospel songs. i haven't listened to the entire album yet (only the samples in the itunes store) but it sounds like an amazing listening experience. the daptone records website also has the como now story in video format - i've just started watching the series of videos but i'm already enamored and can't wait to finish. it's a truly fascinating story.
i hope you will find something you like at daptone records and please remember that they are an independent label, so show your support and buy their music!
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