Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
100 Days, 100 Nights (Daptone)
By Christopher Morgan
Published: September 28th, 2007 | 2:59pm
All other standard descriptions aside, Sharon Jones' third full-length outing with the Dap-Kings is a considerably muscular effort. There's no doubting that 100 Days, 100 Nights is pleasantly awash in classic, time-and-place soul that is rooted in the aesthetic of independent labels like Motown and Vee-Jay. But the muscle of Sharon Jones' emotionally cathartic voice and the Dap-Kings' boisterous wall of big-band sound are what make the album a major independent contender among the waves of mainstream soul acts.
Sharon Jones' overall presence is defined by her gospel-trained vocals. From song to song, it soars with a charisma that can embody flirtatious, rhythmic pop ("Tell Me"), introspective blues ("Be Easy," "Humble Me"), and an all-around authentic, classic display of artistic confidence and sexuality (everything else). Not to be undone however, the Dap-Kings lay it on strong, loud, and precise with a foundation of funk and blues guitars, soulful horn sections, and disciplined, but easy-going percussion. Adding credibility to their aesthetic is the production, done appropriately in analog. Every note is as vibrant and organic as the musician who plays it and has the here-and-now echo of a crowded dance hall.
All together, the band unites the record with consistent force and moving melodies that instill hip-shaking, unbridled youthful lust, and anything else that sparks fancy-free, hot-summer nostalgia. With their image and their talent, Sharon and the Daps are a force of considerable breadth and energy. Though the retro leanings, in an age where irony infects a good deal of culture might be a detractor for potential converts, both the curious and the diehards can be easily swayed by the sincerity of their vision once they press play.
Issue #35
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