The Slammers Maximum Jive Band - Jive Time! (review)
The Slammers Maximum Jive Band - Jive Time! (El Toro; ETCD 2036)
reviewed by Michael Macomber
Lovers of old fashioned, swingin’ rhythm and blues, never fear — The Slammers are here! From across the pond comes one of the finest jive outfits in decades. There just aren’t enough superlatives in the English language to properly describe the immense cool of this group and this disc. A simple “wow” is way too little. A simple “holy mother of pearl this band is so good it’s criminal” doesn’t even do the job.
These cats jump right off the deep end with “She Walks Right In,” bouncin’ and swingin’ like murder. An army of horns cry and wail while bass, drums, and piano roll like thunder. Baritone saxman James Gray’s vocals are sly and engaging on a rave up rendition of “All Of Me.” “Swanee River Boogie” is every bit as rockin’ as the title implies, with pianist Claire Hamlin goin’ to town — and over to the next town. Heck, she might even be in the next county.
Hamlin also shines on a badass rendition of “What’d I Say,” and Gray’s lead vocal is a worthy nod to Papa Ray Charles. The Slammers love their R&B, as evidenced in the aforementioned track, as well as a killer reading of “Stagger Lee.” Driving horns once again push the song along, underpinning the tragic tale of a barroom shooting.
The horns take center stage for “Short’nin Bread,” and man oh man, these cats can blow. Toby Coles’ trumpet work is especially impressive. Coles could easily step right into a Dixieland band, a Chicago blues outfit, or any kind of ensemble he durned well pleased. He’s that freakin’ good.
If The Slammers are any indication, the best American jive these days is actually being made over in Europe. These folks took the lessons of their forebears to heart, and created some of the greatest old school dance music ever conceived. Go, man, go!
