Review

The Hamburg Spinners : Skorpion Im Stiefel

Skorpion im Stiefel" is the long-awaited debut album by Hamburg Spinners, a soul, mod-jazz and R&B outfit based in Hamburg/Germany.It's unashamedly retro but feel good music none the less and all cut live to tape too. The spirit of Booker T and The MG'S is never far away either,take for instance their track 'Pharisäer' ( which in fact is a german rum infused coffee)

It bristles with the sound of Memphis and the engine of Stax which is just as well, when time is tight and you have to cut an album in 48 hours! All credit to the band for keeping all titles in their native tongue too,this sort of no compromise stance will stand them in good stead as they forge out a career in the modern day funk & soul scene and their credentials are amply referenced here on this fresh sounding debut.It has plenty of authenticity and the tight knit quartet featuring, Carsten Meyer on Hammond B-3, Dennis Rux on guitar, David Nesselhauf on bass, and Lucas Kochbeck on drums are well honed and versed in delivering a particular brand of top notch funk and soul.An array of musical springboards have fed into the album’s direct, no-frills effect each track’s parts are cut back to the bare bone and it's deeply alluring.
Words Emrys Baird