Winston's Zen

SINGLE REVIEW – KARTEL RECORDS – 1ST DECEMBER 2008

It would seem that slow burning rise of Kiwi dub-soul ensemble Fat Freddy’s Drop is all but complete. Granted, it may have taken a few years for the sheer majesty of their debut album Based On A True Story to fully sink in with UK punters as the funked out, soulful beauty of one of the decades most impressive debuts was lost on a British audience rapidly starting to associate dub grooves with grimey Lewisham scallies.

Almost four years on, however, and with second album Big BW in the can, demand for their December slot at London’s prestigious Roundhouse saw a second night booked, and a second night quickly sold out. Either every New Zealander in London has tickets (which, considering their God-Like status in the Land of the Long White Cloud isn’t entirely unlikely) or Fat Freddy’s penny is finally Dropping over here too.

The Wellington based seven-piece may be primarily be a live concept, but they also have a knack for making recored music so warmingly endearing, that it sounds like you’ve known it all your life. A typical slice of rootsy laidback gold, backed by the kind of sun-baked groove that can make your entire body nod, Pull The Catch is no exception. Lathered with Dallas Tamaira’s hot buttered vocals, and spiced up with Fat Freddy’s trademark horns the track rolls from your speakers like a stoned sloth, lights up and makes itself at home on the sofa. So, pass it an ashtray and pour it a drink.

Big BW is set for a UK release in the Spring. You can check out the video for Pull The Catch below. Beg, steal or borrow a Roundhouse ticket, and I'll see you there!


Fat Freddy’s Drop - Pull The Catch -Exclusive on MUZU.

Back soon,
Winston

Links
Pre-order Pull The Catch from Rough Trade
Buy Fat Freddy’s Drop on Amazon
Fat Freddy’s Drop (rather excellent) Homepage
Fat Freddy’s Drop on MySpace
Listen to Fat Freddy’s Drop on Last.fm