SugaDaddies - "Self-titled"
Independent release

This is a very tight CD for such a jam-oriented band. The Sugadaddies are very much a band that has the funk-soul groove down, and they like to stretch out as much as any P-Funk lovin’ bunch of kids would. But this CD is really tight, without a lot of rolling off into the haze of Jam-Land. Perhaps that sounds like a bad thing. As a matter of fact, it’s actually rather good. Bands such as Phish have tried to record their jams for posterity, but what normally happens is that what sounds good live, sounds pretty lame when put down in a studio.

What the Sugadaddies have done is quite nice - they’ve taken the best of their original songs, and brought them down to their cores, without a lot of wanking. The CD sounds great, almost like it was lost back during the late 60s or early 70s. The Sugadaddies’ self-titled debut is something to make all booty-shakers out there proud.

The songs are all very groove-oriented, with Derek Swensen’s bass driving the majority of the songs with a strong throbbing pulse. The horns absolutely wail. I especially like the addition of congas to the mix, as it lends a jazzy feel to the whole CD. The perfect mix of horns, drums, and bass come together on two tracks in particular: “Friday Night Shift” and “We Be Kickin It.”

“Friday Night Shift” goes from a low bass intro to a horn chorus that perfectly introduce Jaime Tucker’s sinfully soulful voice. “We Be Kickin It” does the same thing, but with a much slower, jazzy feel. The first is perfectly suited to a dance club, the second almost moans to be played in a quiet little club like the Jazzhaus.

My only complaint with this CD is the fact that you can’t really get into it nearly on the level of the ‘Daddies’ live show. This is mainly due to the loss of the group’s best songs, covers of “Wishing Well” and “Son of a Preacher Man.” Those are the songs that are just masterfully redone by the group, and lend a special something that just can’t be reproduced on disc.