Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings
Soul Time!
(Daptone Records)
For nearly three years now I’ve been trying to catch Brooklyn’s own Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings in concert in and around the city. With the exception of a half-heard set from about a mile away in Prospect Park two summers ago, I’ve yet to hear the soul outfit perform, up close and personal. Top reason: Their shows are consistently sold out.
Watching the group perform on television is one thing (which I have), to hear The Dap-Kings and their leading lady Sharon Jones live is another. With energy that could be felt a mile away, the in-demand band is now like a secret I never wanted anyone else to find out about. Their concerts are notorious for good times galore.
Soul Time! is 40 minutes of pure funk and soul; previously unreleased tracks, B-sides and 7-inch gems. “Longer and Stronger†was written to commemorate Sharon’s 50th birthday in 2006, but it was also an exclusive track on the For Colored Girls soundtrack from 2010. The ever-funky “When I Come Home” is from a 45 that was also a freebie with pre-orders of I Learned The Hard Way in 2010. The hit group also covers a Shuggie Otis 1974 R&B classic “Inspiration Information.†Bottom line, soul and funk lovers need this compilation in their music collections.
