...Blood, Sweat and Tears merging with Booker T and the MGs...
author: Garage & Beat
Happy, jazzy, soulful instrumentals from a nine-piece band that makes me think of Blood, Sweat and Tears merging with Booker T and the MGs at a Sunday afternoon cookout. Like everything else I've heard that's been released on this label, the keyboards are the primary focus and there are more songs with a Hammond organ sound than that of a tinkling piano. There isn't a slouch to be found in the band, though, so everyone gets a turn in the spotlight. The other instruments are guitar, drums, percussion, bass, trombone, trumpet and sax. I believe the album title is supposed to be a bit of jive talk along the lines of "I dig my dog wit' lotsa relish," but the apostrophe only shows up once and that's inside the insert. There is a track called "Yards Theme," which reminds me a lot of "What is Hip?" Ah yes, there is definitely a Tower of Power vibe!
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The world needs more of this kind of vibe
author: Colin Bryce
This is a truly excellent outing by Hammond heavies the Yards with (sic) the added bonus of a four-piece horn section a.k.a. Wit. Tremendous grooves, a choice cover in "Down Home Style" by Jack McDuff and lots of creative and skillfully played music. The world needs more of this kind of vibe and so special thanks to Hammondbeat, the Yards, Wit and the creator for lettin' us have it here! Thank you very much!
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Between the deep funk and mod sides of the spectrum!
author: CDBaby
A mix of Hammond jazz and retro funk from The Yards -- a set done very much in the spirit of recent work on Hammond Beat records -- sitting in a space that's somewhere between the deep funk and mod sides of the spectrum! Organ is very heavy in the mix here, but there's also plenty of other great instrumental touches too -- including some horn work that gets past the hoke at the best moments, and colors the tunes with a slightly more sophisticated edge. Production's a bit cleaner than the Daptone and Truth & Soul labels, but still gritty enough at the best moments.
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