By Kerry Doole
The Brooks - So Turned On (Duprince Records): This is the just-released single and video from Any Day Now, the new album from the eight-piece Montreal funk/soul band.
From the first blast of horns and the soulful vocals, you can tell this is the genuine article, and the mid-tempo tune would have fit snugly into a '70s FM radio playlist. It is a boy meets girl tale featuring a seductive plea: "I’ll be happy Like a kid with a hall pass, And maybe I could comfort you." The accompanying animated video adds to the retro vibe.
The Brooks are led by veteran US-born horn player Alan Prater, who played with Michael Jackson & The Jacksons, and his young comrades show well-honed chops here.
Over 8 years and with an EP and two albums under their belt, The Brooks have already won many awards and nominations including GAMIQ, Independent Music Awards, and ADISQ. Along with Busty and The Bass and Chromeo, they confirm that Montreal is Canada's hub of old-school funk, a rather endangered genre.
Any Day Now has been hailed as “soul therapy” by Mojo, featured on Clash Music, CBC The Strombo Show, and BBC’s Janice Long and Chris Hawkins, and the band has been named the “best kept secret of Canadian funk” by La Presse.
They're reportedly a dynamite band in performance, so here's hoping they can return to the stage soon.
Links
PR: Susan O'Grady, Take Aim Media
