UnkleJam: UnkleJam
Monday, 05 Nov 2007 12:57
Throwback funky soul from London trio Unklejam.
Virgin, out now .
In a nutshell...
Funky, synthesisers, early house, summer
What's it all about?
UnkleJam is the self-titled debut from a London-based trio of producers and musicians. A mixture of electro, R 'n' B and soul, UnkleJam take their influences from a range of artists, from early Prince to Timbaland.
Various mixes of second single What Am I Fighting For? took the Ibiza season by storm during the summer and, a few performances later, UnkleJam were supporting both Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake on their UK tours.
This debut album was to be released in early September off the back of their Ibiza performances but has been put back to coincide with the group's third single release, Stereo.
Who's it by
UnkleJam are named after Funkadelic's 1979 album Uncle Jam Wants You – a major inspiration behind the band. The band comprises of Tyson Speede, Bobby Joel Stearns and Adonistar.
As an example...
"Where did love go, where did love go?/ It's there, it's there somewhere way out there/ Where did love go, where did love go?/ Oh I know it's gotten elsewhere" – What Am I Fighting For?
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
I doubt it but success over the pond may be a possibility if they manage to persuade Furtado and Timberlake to give them opportunities in the US.
What the others say
"What sets them apart is that UnkleJam have a distinctly British flavour to their sound; buffed up with 1980s synthesizers and drumbeats, these tracks recall Gary Numan and Eurythmics just as much as Sly and the Family Stone." – Times
So is it any good?
A debut album needs to set out a statement of intent, no matter the musical genre. It needs to be instant, likeable and be able to provide enough content to stave off the 'one hit wonder' tag. UnkleJam's debut ticks all these boxes.
At times funky, at times solumn and chilled-out, UnkleJam is an all-round decent album. First single Love Ya gained a decent amount of airplay back in the heady days of spring but failed to gain a decent chart position. What Am I Fighting For? did the Ibiza rounds and reached the top 20 but a lot lower than the song deserves.
Love Ya is a pure funk workout with fat bassline and Prince-like squeaky vocals. What Am I Fighting For? is a richer, poppier sound with elements of early house music and Eurythmics electronica, and it's a brilliant piece of infectious pop.
Unklejam are aware of their heritage, and The Touch references River Deep Mountain High before a big rhythm and biting bassline sends it on its way. Digging deep seems to be the theme here, with Stearns noting that "I can't run no more" before the heavy footed chorus kicks in. New single Stereo carries similar sentiments.
After all this, it is hard to see why the UnkleJam sound has failed to properly capture the public's spirit. In places, they can match Outkast for deep basslines and grooves, while in others the beats of the 70s are found. UnkleJam are a summer band, a happy carefree trio who will get you dancing. Maybe the wet summer swept away their chance of connecting with the record-buying public. Who knows? It certainly blows the cobwebs off a cold November evening anyway.
7/10
Richard Fox
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