| Memphis soul / jazz organ trio The City Champs return to Memphis' Electraphonic Recording studio for the follow up to their acclaimed debut album, 'The Safecracker'. 'The SetUp' finds the group stretching out, adding latin jazz, psychedelia and 60s film score influences to their established Booker T. and the MGs meets Blue Note / Prestige Records sound. Augmenting the City Champs trio sound on 'The SetUp' is renowned Motown Funk Brother Jack Ashford on tambourine, The BoKeys horn men (Marc Franklin, Jim Spake and Kirk Smothers), latin percussionist Felix Hernandez and BoKeys bassist (and the album's producer) Scott Bomar. The album's highlights include the title track, which features nice call and response musical interplay between guitarist Restivo, organist Gamble and the propulsive solid, funky drumming which is drummer Sluppick's trademark. The overall result encapsulates the Champs' sound, like The Meters and Booker T. playing a 60s film theme on a session at Rudy Van Gelder's studio for Blue Note or Prestige. At the same time, this album demonstrates how the group has evolved in the instrumental idiom, building upon classic influences and creating music which is contemporary, modern and fresh. Some tracks play like classic Stax / Hi Records / American Studios sides and showcase their Memphis roots, while elsewhere their take on RJD2's 'A Beautiful Mine' (well known as the theme to Mad Men) brings a 60s latin jazz & boogaloo arrangement to the tune that represents its most dancefloor-worthy interpretation yet. Other cuts acts as snapshots of the group's early career, playing after hours in Memphis nightclubs, laying down a deep soul-jazz vibe in the style of Jack McDuff or Jimmy McGriff.Limited LP version comes with free digital download card. |
