The Shakedown by Speedometer - Freestyle Records [FSRCD082] FLAC download included with physical items

The Shakedown

Speedometer

A 12 track funk album (41m 34s) — released October 18th 2010 on Freestyle Records

#soul #funk
Speedometer, one of the most successful UK funk & soul bands of the last decade, attain the next level of their musical ascendancy with the release this brand new studio album on Freestyle Records. Having spearheaded the resurgence in deep, gritty funk and soul for 10 years, as well as working with Eddie Bo, Marva Whitney, Sharon Jones, Billy Wooten, and Sir Joe Quartermain amongst a list of many musical legends, and selling out tours of Europe and the Far East as well as a string of authentically rootsy albums and singles, this is the album where all that experience and hard work reaches its deeply soulful zenith! The Shakedown marks a step change in the groups sound and style, featuring more vocal led songs, a wider musical horizon, the vocals of regular Speedometer vocalist Ria Currie and very special guests Myles Sanko, Natasha Watts, The Stilhouettes and former James Brown singer, Martha High! The album kicks off with the drum & synth intro of Again & Again, as Natasha Watts voice reaches the places precious few other contemporary singers can, as funky, breathy flute riffs over this floor shaking rhythm. Percussion hero Snowboy contributes his hard handed talents on several tracks including the fiercely forceful latin soul outings La Nueva Manera and Orisha. Freestyle Records label mates Andy Fairclough from The Root Source also contributes clavinet and harmonica, and join John Wilmot and Neil Robinson of The Perceptions in this funky family affair! Lover & A Friend is a fantastic reworking of the Eddie Bo classic that has already seen the light of day as a 45 single (FSR7063), the vocals of regular singer Ria Currie and guest Myles Sanko who voices blend just oh so beautifully on this deeply funkatious track that also of course also boasts a wonderfully hip video to go with it! Click here to see the fantastic video of 'Lover & A Friend'
A superbly executed version of You've Made Me So Very Happy allows Ria Currie to display the full strength of her talents, before she steps aside to let US soul royalty Martha High do her thing on the super catchy title track The Shakedown, ably assisted by special guest Myles Sanko. Martha also leads the charge on Dragging Me Down, the track with the storming and stomping Northern Soul style beat and blistering horns. This is just one of the many highlights that will surely cement Speedometers reputation as THE 21st Century powerhouse of soulful, funk and latin tinged grooves! The Shakedown is without doubt the strongest, most varied & accomplished Speedometer album to date, brimming with soul, beautiful songs and that unrelenting, deep groove that Leigh Gracie and the gang do so well!

Top, top stuff from the supremely popular Brit funk-soul band Speedometer, focusing on vocals (through a variety of esteemed and on-form special guests including Natasha Watts and former James Brown collaborator Martha High,) but demonstrating utter attention to detail where groove and instrumentation are concerned. The Shakedown struts all over soul, funk, jazz-jam and Latin, its tight but flowing arrangements getting maximum return from the assortment of singers involved, and given added rhythmic impetus on several tracks by fellow Blues & Soul columnist Snowboy. A standout is hard to call but Latin-soul bomb La Neuva Manera comes explosively close. 5/5! - Blues & Soul Magazine Ben Lovett

This is a funky and soulful album plays sweet, perfect grooves to heal your tired soul and reinvigorate you to get your funk on. It's a yes from me. - Edinburgh Evening News Grant T Paterson

Speedometer, still flooring it the The Shakedown and bring it with a wider scope than ever before! The group has more vocal numbers in the set, and why wouldn't they when they have the lovely and soulful Rita Currie and guests of the caliber of funky diva/James Brown collaborator Martha High! The range of instrumental styles has been broadened, too. You've got your horn-heavy funky soul stormers, Hammond groovers and hard charging Latin funk jams with Snowboy on the timbalas, bongos and bata drums. Great stuff all around! - Dusty Groove US

A GREAT album! - BBC Radio 2 Mark Lamarr

Listening to the title track itself tells you all you need to know about how good this LP is - what must surely be THE British funk album of the year! - Echoes magazine Dom Servini

What really makes this session and lifts it’s away the funk backing track syndrome are the vocal tracks from Martha High, Ria Currie, Myles Sanko, Natasha Watts and backing vocals from The Stilhouettes. Overall this CD has a much fuller sound than previous offerings and a welcome change in Direction for Speedometer. - Soulm8 Magazine Phil Levene

Fantastic work from Speedometer, one of the brightest stars in the UK funk canon, as they break formula to release an album of mostly vocal collaboration. It seems they really thought about this one, changing it up and creating a strong album that varies in style but not quality, which remains high throughout.This certainly deserves to be their biggest success as it has wider appeal without selling out. Shake it down. - www.funkalicious.co.uk DJ Philster

High quality funk madness...this is how it should be done! - Further In Fusion Radio Markus Milz

Whew, I'm just blowing past dem Freestyle hotties, and Speedometer is really a burner of an album with the real funk. The music production's on point, and the vocals lend well to them. Great LP! - Urban Landscapes Velanche

Speedometer is one of my favourite uk funk band! - DJ Kobal

A quality funk album that your ears will desire. Speedometer you're nicked! - Starpoint radio Paul 'Abbo' Abbott

Fat and greasy soul music! - Phonic FM DJ Nomark

A guaranteed dancefloor filler, with funky flute to boot! - Hip City Radio Show Christopher Lawyer

That's what we like about tru funk and soul! Fantastic voice bringin' my mind on beautiful autumn fire with all that delicious horns, guitars, flute and drums. Thank you so very much! - Night Light Radioshow Eric Tchaikovsky

Strong LP with very nice covers and full of 60's influenced funky instros that make it one of the best Freestyle releases this year. - La Marquise Club DJ PhilGood

A Speedometer album is always a sure thing, and this one is simply as appealing as the previous ones - Acid Jazz Hispano Santiago Tadeo Cervera

A great album from Speedometer. As quality as i expected. Respect! - Ancient Astronauts Tom Strauch

tighter than a mosquito's.. - Radio Reverb Kappa

The album is FUNKY. If you fear gritty, deep resonant unadulterated FUNK then walk away quickly as this little funk bomb is about to explode! An essential release from Freestyle. - Soulchoonz Barry Towler

Cool, organic soul and funk and if you enjoyed last year's outings from bands like the Bamboos and Cookin' On Three Burners, I'll guarantee you'll love this. - soulandjazzandfunk.com Bill Buckley

This latest album really does hit the spot. If you like gritty, funky soul that really gets down and dirty, you'll love this album as much as I do. Featuring guest appearances from the likes of Martha High (yes, that Martha high) this is an album to really get into, although beware, you'll play it LOUD! This take on the Brenda Holloway classic is just superb. - BBC South Paul Miller Soul Show

This is a fantastic album!!! - Basic Soul Simon Harrison

The new Speedometer album is fabulous, especially loving 'Again And Again' (Format mix too!), 'Orisha', 'Rubberneck' and 'Dragging Me Down'. Although every track here is on point! Speedometer shine through their arrangements, musically interesting and exciting as well as just damn funky, bloomin' love it! - Jelly Jazz Pete Isaac

Speedometer are keeping the good groove alive.. and then some! - Jazz FM Peter Young

The best thing Freestyle Records have EVER released! - Wah Wah Records Dom Servini

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