by Zillanova
On their latest seven inch single Brunswick based recording label Hope Street have assembled a team of funk musicians with exceptional pedigree. Bob Knob, one of the label’s founders and a brilliant producer in his own right, heads up the production and co-wrote the tunes with Tom Martin. Joining them on the recording are members of The Bombay Royale, reggae heavyweight and organ guru Jake Savona and two local singers with heaps of soul and voices to match.
On the A-side Cisco Tavares belts out a rebuke to the chaos and cruelty of the modern world. Savona’s organ gets a healthy workout and the mellifluous guitar lines are reminiscent of The Budos Band. The syncopated and soulful single Suicide brings together many members of the Hope Street family to do what they do best, make funky music.
Flipping the record over reveals a B-side that packs just as much punch. The vocals of Jess Harlen convey the sad story of a relationship in decline on The Time It Takes. It’s a personal counterpoint to the A-side’s social commentary but the music itself is just as powerful. There’s more guitar noodling and Sebastian Orellana from Melbourne’s San Lazaro provides the head-nodding back beat behind the drum kit.
Both tracks carry an easily identifiable Hope Street sound. For several years the label has been producing world class funk and soul records from it’s in-house studio in the basement of an old textile factory. An eight-track tape recorder is the secret to their unique sound. The only downside is, as a solely studio based project, Zillanova won’t be bringing their analogue magic to a stage near you any time soon.
By Campbell McNolty - Bop Gun, every Monday at 9pm
This week's Top 10:
