Daptone Records: Purveyors of Soul [Labels]
I’ve been on a Soul kick as of late. In addition to some great Northern Soul compilations I’ve had on my iPod for many years (’A Norther Soul Project’ compilation – check it if you can find it), I’ve recently started dip-dapping into Daptones catalogue of artists. Before listing a few of my favorites, here’s a little history on Daptone Records and after listening to a few tracks, you may be surprised to find this recently formed label isn’t from the Stax and Motown era…
Formed in New York in the early 2000’s, Daptone Records, child of the now defunct Desco Records, a Soul and Funk label Gabriel Roth and Philip Lehman started in the early 90’s in an effort to become purveyors of “shitty garage-sounding” funk records from the 60’s and 70’s. During Desco’s heyday they discovered such vocal talents and Sharon Jones and Lee Fields. Roth and Lehman parted ways soon after with Roth teaming up with Neil Sugarman, then leader of Boogaloo revivalists, The Sugarman 3 to start Daptone Records and Lehman founding Soul Fire Records. Despite any differences between the two, they both went on with one goal in mind. Keep Funk alive.
The Dap Kings
Sure everyone knows them as the backing band for Sharon Jones, but you may be surprised to find that this collective have also recorded with the likes of Jay-Z, Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse (Black to Black was recorded in Daptone Studios). What sets The Dap Kings apart from your everyday funk/soul revivalist band is how they record their music. In an effort to sound as genuine as possible, traditional analogue recording equipment and instruments used by the band may are limited to those that would have been available up until the mid seventies. Take a listen and amazing remix of Jay-Z’s 99 Problems and you will swear that this backing track was taken straight from Motown.
Jay-Z feat. The Dap Kings – 99 Problems (Ballard Remix)
The Sugarman 3
Started in 1996 by Daptone co-founder Neal Sugarman after a few stints as saxophonist for Jazz bands mostly in New Orleans. He soon returned to New York looking to start a band and playing the music he liked best, Boogaloo (the definition of which, according to Sugarman 3’s bio is: Boogaloo boo/ga/loo n/adj./v- 1: a many splendored thing; 2: a nasty vibe, and a sweet sexy feeling; a natural release of the essence within; 3: something you do while walking down Broadway). Neal soon hooked up with Organist Adam Scone and Drummer Rudy Albin and have since released 2 albums under the Daptone Label: ‘Pure Cane Sugar’ and ‘Soul Donkey’. Here’s my favorite song ‘Modern Jive’ of Pure Cane Sugar recorded with drumming legend, Bernard Purdie. I dare you not to ba-ba-baba-cha-ba-ba-ba-ba-cha along with the beat.
Menahan Street Band
A one-off collaboration of musicians from The Dap-Kings, El Micheals Affair, Antibalas and the Budos Band bought together in 2007 by producer Thomas Brenneck. He wanted to create a concept album titled ‘Make The Road by Walking’, inspired by his Brooklyn neighborhood Menahan Street and recorded in his apartment bedroom (man his neighbors must love him). Listening to this album in it’s entirety after hearing concept does give you the feeling that you are taking in the sounds of the mid-summer New York streets. Have a listen to ‘Home Again!’.
Menahan Street Band – Home Again!
These are only 3 bands from Daptone’s ever growing roster. If you like what you hear, browse their catalogue and purchase a few LP’s from their store because a label that puts that much of an effort to produce quality music is definitely worth supporting. On a side note, fans of Daptone may have heard that their studio was robbed last month, with the thieves getting away with quite a lot of vintage equipment. That’s more incentive for you to dip into that wallet of yours and also support a worthy cause.
Finally, I don’t want any of you Sharon Jones fans to leave empty handed, so here’s a reggae remixed version of ‘How Long Do I have to Wait’ just for you.
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