Scoring the support slot for this year’s Christina Aguilera concert was an impressive coup and would have prompted something of a postcard moment for Adelaide funksters, Lowrider.
But attaching yourself to an international pop star who, despite an amazing voice and stage presence, is still considered part of the cheesy RnB diva club, has its drawbacks.
Not being a fan of the “I can hit all the notes on the scale, so I will” school of singing, personally I wouldn’t have given Lowrider more than a passing glance, but when a copy of the band’s self-titled album arrived in the post alongside a press release describing them as “an immaculate fusion of hip hop and soul”, I thought I’d check them out.
And it turns out they’re really very good. Nothing on the record is even close to the warbling American tartlet, instead sounding more like the stripped back grooves of Curtis Mayfield. It’s an amazing exercise in smooth restraint and I bet more than one aging soul star has an eye on this band for a career-saving collaboration.
Riverside is the first single to be released and is probably the best track on the album. It’s soul, but soul in the tradition of Prince (think Adore) or maybe even Beck (no, not Devil’s Haircut….more like Deborah from Midnight Vultures). From there the listener is coaxed gently towards the acoustic dub of Inspire Me and onto one of the funkiest short interludes ever recorded. Elsewhere, highlights include Other Lovely Things, She’s a Drug and the uber funky That’s Not Fair.
It’s easy to see why Aguilera’s people thought Lowrider would add something a bit special to her tour, but next time around let’s hope us diva non-believers get to come to the party.
4 fat scoobies out of 5
Click here for a chance to win a copy of the album
Like it? Try these……..
MOTHER EARTH The People Tree
FREAK POWER Drive Thru Booty
CREATIVE VIBES Funky and Some More (compilation)
