QUANTIC SOUL ORCHESTRA – PUSHIN’ ON (TRU THOUGHTS)
May 4th, 2005 by duck
This album proved popular with the reviewers. 2 reviews came in and they’re both great bits of writing so here are not one, but 2 reviews of “Pushin’ On”….
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Within twenty seconds of pressing play, any doubts I had about the QSO managing to follow up their first album were completely dispelled, in fact if anything, this record is an improvement.
Gone is the slightly over zealous tape distortion which made the hi-hats on “Stampede” a difficult listen for some – although the “back in the day” chicken shack style of production has not been completely dispensed with by any means. What’s definitely not missing from “Pushin’ On” is groove – instrumentals like “That Goose On My Grave” and “Paintings and Journeys” easily make any bus ride to work seem like the opening credits of an early seventies gangster movie. In addition Alice Russell’s contributions are as mind blowing as always, with the title track remaining the “don’t let the bastards grind you down” soul rump shaker it always was, and “ End Of The Road” sounding just as forlorn as it should.
In terms of criticism of the album I can only say that if you don’t like rough edged funk, then you won’t care for “Pushin’ On” too much either. Oh, and the horns on “End of the Road” are disappointingly weak in comparison to the version the QSO knock out live – although this doesn’t ruin the song by a long chalk. If you don’t have a problem with funk, then you need to take a listen to “Pushin’ on”, even if it’s just for the almost violently upbeat cover version of Mr Scruff’s classic “Get A Move On”, which will raise eyebrows wherever it’s heard with it’s amphetamine fuelled re-reading.
Duck
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Will Holland’s band of merry funkateers return with another modern take on the vintage funk, soul, jazz and blues sound of America. As with the debut “Stampede” the authentic production is typically overdriven, gritty and raw with a hard-hitting rhythm section and much riffage from guitars, brass and strings and once again regular Quantic collaborator Alice Russell contributes to the album’s vocal tracks.
Last years big track “Pushin’ On” sounds just as fresh and catchy as it did on release. Hold On Tight is the latest single and, while isn’t as immediate, is a real grower as the mid tempo groove and nagging guitar riff provide a great backing for the bluesy vocal. “Hands Of My Love” is a heavy track too with a strung out vocal refrain.
Some canny fellows may recognise some of the tracks as backing to the QSO Rebtuz versions of Beyonce’s “Work It Out”, “Get Down” by Nas and “Seen It All Before” by Sunshine Anderson though all are further explored here with fleshed out lead parts and extended breaks.
Two cover versions are included here, the much anticipated “Get A Move On” by Mr Scruff (who has been known to drop it himself) and what is probably the best track on the album, the classic Nina Simone anthem ‘Feeling’ Good’ with Ms Russell providing a sultry vocal over a string and brass laden Latin funk shuffle. Definitely two classic dance floor fillers for coming summer parties.
The Latin-lounge “Paintings And Journeys” (think Bacharach style sweeping strings and acoustic guitars with bossa rhythms) and the high tempo “End Of The Road” (“Too much weight on my back/I’m at the end of the road/Somebody lighten my load” – well if you will keep writing so much music!) close the record in fine style. Altogether a progression to a more mature sound though still packed with plenty of bangers to set light to the dancefloor.
Alongside the likes of The Baker Brothers and The New Mastersounds, The Quantic Soul Orchestra continues to lead the 21st Century funk renaissance with heart and soul. Just keep Pushin’ On!
Ben Smith
“Pushin’ On” is released on the 9th May
