FRICTION NYC

SXSW has SOUL: Five R&B Acts to Catch at SXSW 2008

Aw shit! Better pack up those earplugs, Immodium, and Emergen-C’s because the 2008 SXSW Music Festival is just 2 days away. I’m pussing out for the second year in a row, but in classic form, Nghia, Paul, and Theo will be representing FRICTION NYC down in Austin this year. I think this is Nghia’s like umpteenth year in a row or something, seems like the fool has been going since he was a toddler. Anyway, insead of highlighting the typical buzzed acts this year, I decided to pick five R&B bands that I would certainly like to check out. These five acts including Darondo, Barbara Mason, Black Joe Lewis, Eli Reed, and The Aggrolites represent everything from soul to afrobeat to dirty reggae. Check ‘em out if you have the chance.

DARONDO
Saturday, 3/15/08 @ Club de Ville (900 Red River St)
[MP3]: “Didn’t I”
Darondo (pictured) released three singles during the 70s and then mysteriously dissappeared from the music scene for over 30 years. The legendary R&B performer who once opened for James Brown will be making the trek to Austin this week from his home in the San Francisco Bay Area. His three singles released in 2006 via Ubiquity along with an appearance on Giles Peterson’s BBC 1 Radio showcase created enough buzz to land Darondo an appearance at this year’s SXSW. His album, Let My People Go, is a mixture jazz-infused afrobeat and funk, containing the A and B sides from his three 45s as well as three re-worked demos.

BARBARA MASON
Friday, 3/14/08 @ Continental Club (1315 S Congress Ave
[MP3]: “Yes I’m Ready”
Philadelphia’s First Lady of Soul, Barbara Mason, is credited as the originator of Philly soul. Her classic ballad, “Yes, I’m Ready” laid the groundwork for the smooth sweet sounds of Philly soul and established Mason as as an influential female soul artist.

BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEY BEARS
Wednesday, 3/12/08 @ Emo’s Main Room (601-603 Red River St)
[MP3]: “Gunpowder”
J.J. Lewis, aka Black Joe, in his mid-20s and full of spunk, stands tall and strong onstage with his band of gentlemen. He howls into the mic, half James Brown, half his own man, and he splays blood and heart all over the guitar. It’s imperfect yet beautiful. Reinventing his roots of Lighting Hopkins and Sam Cooke, Lewis adds a Red River vibe to the true blues of generations past. In 2007, he formed the Honey Bears, releasing an EP of the same name that summer [Austin Chronicle].

ELI PAPERBOY REED & THE TRUE LOVES
Thursday, 3/13/08 @ Club de Ville (900 Red River St)
[MP3]: “Take My Love With You”
We’ve already sang our praise about Allston, MA’s Eli Reed and his band The True Loves last month. The band plays a slew of dates at this year’s SXSW including the show listed above.

THE AGGROLITES
Wednesday, 3/12/08 @ Flamingo Cantina (515 E 6th St)
[MP3]: “Free Time”
Los Angeles’ The Aggrolites take pleasure in tradition, meshing old-school reggae and ska with rock, soul, and funk to create a sound called “dirty reggae.” Think Otis Redding fronting Toots & the Maytals. The five-piece embarks on an extensive U.S. tour following the festival.

Eli “Paperboy” Reed & The True Loves

Eli “Paperboy” Reed and his band The True Loves made their way through Philadelphia and New York City last week, leaving audiences thirsty for more of their classic rhythm and blues stylings. I missed the Philadelphia show at M Room, instead catching dream-poppers A Sunny Day In Glasgow at Johnny Brenda’s, but there are some reviews floating around out there from the show.

Reed and his band dish out a blend of old-school soul a la Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, and Al Green. Not only does the band’s music recall classic soul, but flyers and packaging are done with vintage flair. Album artwork looks very much like classic 45s. To me, great soul music is all about the voice, and Reed’s got it. I think Heart On A Stick put it best by saying that he [Reed] “has a voice that could pop corn…Or bake a whole potato. Eli “Paperboy” Reed’s voice could season, stuff, roast, and carve a whole turkey, pour gravy over it, divvy up the leftovers, do the dishes, send you on your way. Eli Reed has a voice that might quadruple your laundry bill, in ways both exciting and embarrassing.”

The Brookline, Massachusetts singer grew up listening to his dad’s collection of classic gospel, soul, and R&B records which had a big influence on his voice. Reed also discovered the history of Delta Blues personally after moving to Mississippi following High School where he also learned about performing. Singles like “The Satisfier” are written in the style of Chicago soul artist Syl Johnson, while Reed cites Sam Cooke as a major influence, just have a listen to “It’s Easier.”

Eli “Paperboy” Reed and The True Loves play a slew of SXSW dates before a supporting tour with emo outfit Say Anything in April. The debut long-player also comes out in April on Q-Dee or Q Division, something like that.

[MP3]: Eli “Paperboy” Reed & The True Loves  ”Take My Love With You”
Single; 2008

Duffy | “Mercy”

Expect to be hearing BIG things in the coming months about British retro-soul songstress, Duffy, after she drops her new single “Mercy” on February 25th. The 23-year old Welsh singer, who has drawn comparisons to Dusty Springfield already sold out most of her forthcoming UK tour. While I dig the retro-soul/R&B stylings and backing vocals, I’m not 100% sold on Duffy’s voice – it can be a bit nasal-y at times. Other than that, “Mercy,” is a solid track that might leave most of us asking, “Amy Who?” by the end of 2008 (unless you’re already saying that). Full-length due in the UK in March followed by a U.S. release in May.

[MP3]: Duffy  ”Mercy”
Single, A&M/Rough Trade; 2008

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