Review

The Bamboos presents Kylie Audist: 'Just Say'

I was the first person to push the amazing Australian funk band The Bamboos here in the UK and am a friend of the band-leader and producer Lance Ferguson. They are, with out doubt, the Aussie equivalent of Sharon Jones’ ‘Dap Kings’ and I generally love everything that they do.

What I don’t understand here is: Kylie has an incredible voice, the band are playing amazing (as always) and the arrangements hit the spot, but I don’t feel it at all. I may be wrong, but the musical content (of semi-Northern-esque Soul) leads me to thinking that this is intended for the same market as Amy Winehouse but the production, as precise as normal, doesn’t have that raw rough-edge of a Mark Ronson production and maybe that’s why I’m not quite there with it.

The two stands out are the firing JB-funk of ‘Cut Me Loose’ (already on a 45, and established by us Funk specialists) and a superb and timely cover of the Alice Clark rare groove/crossover soul classic ‘Never Did I Stop Loving You’ – which will explode at all three major soul weekenders in May without a doubt.

I feel bad for being critical of this album because it’s been put together so well and is important as a showcase for Kylie. I must reiterate: she has a fantastic voice. Please check it out to make your own mind up.
Words SNOWBOY