Shakatak - On The Corner (2014)

Brand new studio album from Shakatak. Shakatak have enjoyed a level of success and career longevity rarely paralleled in contemporary music. They are the Rolling Stones of Jazz-funk and their music just keeps getting better and better. After a number of successful top twenty singles in the UK and over 50 releases in their back catalogue, the band have gone on to secure huge international popularity which continues as they prepare for their upcoming tours of Mexico and Japan. After the success of their last release 'Once Upon A Time', a one-off project that saw the band re-arrange their classic hits into acoustic versions, Shakatak are back with a newly recorded studio album containing 14 new tracks as well as an additional digital download. Kicking off with the title track 'On The Corner' we are in classic Shakatak territory with their unique vocal/piano mix. The groovy 'To Be In Love' follows, its sweeping strings and smoky vocals backed up by Bill Sharpe's jazzy piano. 'Sao Paolo Sunshine' brings us straight into summer with its funky Latin vibes, as does the smooth 'Ojai Freeway' and the bossa-nova tinged 'Jazz and Romance'. No Shakatak album is complete without some low down funk, and after a few mellow ballads we get our share. 'Good Time' is driven along by George's bass with a guest appearance from the saxophonist Derek Nash, the main jazz soloist with the UK's Jools Holland's R&B Orchestra. Nash also brings some classic jazz sounds to the final tune, the haunting instrumental ballad 'She's Not Here'. All in all 'On The Corner' is an album that perfectly demonstrates the incredible range and diversity of this timeless band!

Tracklist:

01. On The Corner
02. To Be In Love
03. The Greatest Gift
04. No Clouds
05. Sao Paulo Sunshine
06. Million Voices
07. Good Time
08. Jazz and Romance
09. Deeper
10. Ojai Freeway
11. Daydreamer
12. She's Not Here

Personnel:

Jill Saward - vocals
Bill Sharpe - keyboards
George Anderson - bass
Roger Odell - drums
& guests