Drawbar is an organ led funk trio- albeit with
tripped out musical tendencies- from the south coast
town of Hastings (1066 country!), which also happens to
be the hq of Counterpoint Records. Drawbar is the first
local act to sign up with us. The band consists of core
members, Simon Ham (production & bass), who was part of
CH3vy, best known for their Catskills releases (big with
the likes of Daddy G, Mr. Scruff and Dom Servini); Jo
Brooks (Hammond organ/keys) and Russell Field (drums &
percussion), along side a loose collective of musicians,
vocalists and dj's.
Heavily influenced by the big band/cabaret arrangers
and soundtrack composer of the 60's & 70's, who's best
work can be found on the library releases of UK labels
such as Bosworth, KPM and DeWolf. Drawbar adopt a
modernist approach to this tradition, combining the
vintage sounds & instrumentation of that bygone era and
incorporating a mélange of musical styles from Afrobeat
and hip hop to southern fried soul and funky jazz to the
recipe.
Drawbar is putting the organ back where it belongs:
grinding at the front of the backline!
1. 'The Present' is the title of this 10" and the
opening track. Starting out as a spooky n' surreal
lounge funk groove (think Bedazzled reworked by Mr.
Scruff) it transcends into an extended afro-funk jam,
laden with heavy, heavy horns (Daptones style!) and
featuring a killer soprano solo by multi-reed talent,
Rob Leak. This one smells of the past, looks forward to
the future, but is right here right now!
2. 'Catch My Soul' is inspired by the 1970's cult rock
opera of the same name (a funky adaptation of 'Othello'
which starred the likes of Richie Havens, Bonnie
Bramlett and Tony Joe White!). This incarnation
certainly has got the voodoo in its blood. From dirty
New Orleans funk to some roughed up South Bronx
scratchology (courtesy of Dj Morals), set against a
fatback Hammond sound and some possessed chants and
screams, driving this demon way back down to hell!
3. 'What's The Matter' sounds like it could have been
recorded down at Tom Dowd's Muscle Shoals studios back
in the days when everyone from Boz Scaggs, Dusty
Springfield and even Cher were catching that laid-back
southern soul fever. This final cut on the record kicks
off with a lowdown bluesy piano hook, followed by that
lazy shuffly beat, welcoming to the stage the larger
than life vocal and songwriting talents of Josephine
Hope (aka Mama Josie) who rides the beat in her relaxed
Southern fried twang right down to the run off groove.
Serve up them black-eyed peas, Mama Josie!
Drawbar will be taking their dynamic live show to
workingman's clubs around the country very soon.
check www.myspace.com/drawbarorgan for more details
Press/reviews for "The Present"
"One of the most interesting records I have heard in ages, and certainly one of the best, 10/10."
Alan Brown, Soul Seduction, Vienna, Austria
Drawbar create and infectious and cheeky break laden nugget. Will be spinning for sure. Great stuff!
Spiritual South
A new signing to the Counterpoint imprint who mix up a little magpie sampling with live band and vocalist. Standout cut here though is the opener
'The Present' which combines the afore mentioned with cheeky aplomb. A kitsch 60's vocal sample opens proceedings over a mid tempo drum loop before
letting the horns into the room to carve out a three minute Afro-beat groove, that cleverly changes the dynamic and direction of the track. Cute.
Found Sounds review in DJ mag
"It's funk with lots of connotations, quotes and hints – it's fun to listen to and great for the dance floor. Do I dare call it modern oldschool?"
Katrine Ring - Barbarellah, Vibezone, Hotel 27, Yellow Lounge – Denmarks Radio
Following on from the sublime recent Ashley Thomas EP, Counterpoint once more raise the souljazz flag as Drawbar hit you with something for the weekend. The title cut leads the way as what on initial inspection seems to be a cut n' paste job flexes its muscles and slowly switches tack to drop into an Afro-funk flava'd throwdown: heavy shnizzle! With two quality cuts backing it up this is more essential goodness from down Hastings way. Ace. 4/5
Cal Gibson (review in IDJ mag)
"I really enjoy this release. All are winning tracks; I dig. Play on my show"
Velanche
"I'm impressed by this ep. Great sounds from an outfit that sounds nice, tight, gets a firm 9/10 from me!"
Paul Gamblin Little Creatures, Australia
" 3 piece outfit (plus mates) with a unique sound, influences from Jazz, Funk to out there hip hop and other wordly grooves. Soundin' tight n' right!"
Paul Gamblin reviw on Heavy Monnas website
"This is outstanding…thanks!"
David Bassin , Freefallradio. KUSF San Francisco USA
"The Present is just the heavy funk my folx deserve. LOVE IT! Dig the hiphop-meets-concious-musicality thang in general. I guess live Drawbar are a killer".
Rene Josquin / M.Path. IQ – Lovelite, NBI, M12, Roter Salon
"Really talented and experienced people behind Drwbar, uuhh! I like it a lot! Very good production with really nice vibe. No risks on this release, winner for sure! It will be a pleasure to play on my radioshow"
Enrique Domenech – Nuggets @ LA2, Sala Apolo & Lasal Varadero, Mataro. Barcelona
Radio Support From:
Kevin Beadle (Solar Radio, UK)
Russ Dewbury (New Jazz Spectrum, Juice FM)
Velanche – (Urban Landscapes Radioshow/XLR8R/Giant Step USA)
Paul Gamblin – (RTRFM 92.1 – 17/08/2007 (Black & Blue) Australia)
David Bassin – (Freefallradio. KUSF San Francisco, USA)
Enrique Domenech – ( Fusionova021records radio show – Ibiza Sonica 95.2FM)
Michael Stukes (WHCR, New York)
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