Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings – 100 Days, 100 Nights
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Discography
Influences James Brown, Eddie Bo, Lyn Collins, Marva Whitney, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Mahalia Jackson, The Meters
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Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings are a modern day funk and soul band from Brooklyn, New York. Ceji previously mentioned them in Daptone Records sampler. Jones & company are starting their southern 2008 tour tomorrow, so you’re in luck if you reside in these states.
Before we start with Sharon Jones, the singer, we really need to talk about the Dap-Kings. They were originally known as The Soul Providers headed by Philip Lehman and Gabriel Roth. They had recorded a string of singles and albums in the 90s and decided to split up due to difference of opinion.
Lehman went on to create Soul Fire Records (now defunct) while Roth went to create Daptone Records. The Soul Providers also split and most of the members went on to become Daptone’s house band: The Dap-Kings.
Since 2000, the band’s been hard at work, providing music for Amy Winehouse, Jay Z, and Mark Ronson.
What I like about what Daptone is doing, not only reviving the funk/soul music of the 60s and 70s, is that they’re bringing back the singles. Just looking at Sharon Jones’ discography, she’s already released 10 singles (all 7″) in the span of a few years. The 45s are reasonably priced (about $5 a single) and it’s a good way to collect and sample some of their recording artists.
I also liked that in 100 Days, 100 Nights CD, they also included a Daptone sampler disc called “Binky Griptite’s GhettoFunkPowerHour Radio Show”. This is a “radio” program that I originally thought was an actual recorded broadcast (but soon realized that it’s a sampler). Griptite is actually the Dap-King’s guitarist… but listening to him, he’s a real natural at DJing.
Some highlights of Binky’s show: “But I’ll tell you, it’s only available as a 45 so if you don’t have a turntable, you better make friends with someone that do. And when they leave you, you keep that turntable and play this record. And cry.” plays “Could Have Been” by Lee Fields.
The sampler CD is not available on the vinyl 100 Days, 100 Nights, but Daptones made the sampler available via MP3: Binky Griptite’s GhettoFunkPowerHour Radio Show.
All the theme on 100 Days, 100 Nights seems to be involving relationships. For instance: “Keep on Looking” (searching for a good man), “Let Them Knock” (won’t answer for nobody except for her man), “Something’s Changed” (a relationship is about to break), and “Nobody’s Baby” (the title says it all).
Don’t let the same theme dissuade you, it is still a wonderful soul/funk album. Just listen to the “100 Days, 100 Nights” song to hear Jones’ soulful voice. I hear a little James “Godfather of Soul” Brown in her voice, don’t you?
If you like the song, head over to their myspace and get the song as a free download.
100 Days, 100 Nights was released October 2, 2007, from Daptone Records. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings are also going to set sail on their month-long tour:
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Jan 03 Ft. Lauderdale FL – Culture Room
Jan 17 Washington DC – Black Cat
Jan 18 Charlottesville VA – Satellite Ballroom
Jan 19 Atlanta GA – Variety Playhouse
Jan 21 Orlando FL – The Social
Jan 22 Tampa FL – Skipper’s Smokehouse
Jan 23 Tallahassee FL – Club Down Under
Jan 24 New Orleans LA – House of Blues
Jan 25 Houston TX – Walters
Jan 26 Austin TX – Antone’s
Jan 27 Dallas TX – Granada Theatre
Jan 29 Lawrence KS – Granada Theatre
Jan 30 St Louis MO – Duck Room
Jan 31 Cincinnati OH – Bogarts
Feb 01 Louisville KY – Headliners
Feb 02 Nashville TN – Mercy Lounge
01/02/2008 09:19:12 vu my♥posts 
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