‘Near Earth Objects’ is the just released album from London soul and funk band THE BOOM YEH’S. At the core of the collective are band leader Jon Speedy (guitar), Matteo Grassi (bass) and Alessio Barelli (drums); they’re regularly aided and abetted by the horns of Ian Bailey, Tom White and Paul Silver. The team have (individually) worked with people like Jamiroquai, The Brand New Heavies, Incognito, Alice Russell and Leroy Hutson.
The album’s pre-released singles reveal a sound that’s varied – brash, brassy, funky, spaced out, chilled out and jazzy. Not on each single track of course – but expect plenty of instrumental variety delivered with passion and conviction from a team clearly steeped in the heritage of the above listed genres!
Tracks like ‘Keep Right On’ and the album title track are funky as anything while ‘Pocket Rocket’ keeps the funk tight in the pocket but here you may be reminded of the whole Funkadelic thing! By comparison, the album’s two closing tracks are much more gentle. ‘Mind’s Eye’ and ‘Possibilities’ are lush and gently brass laden – a touch of the Donald Byrds or maybe the Mizells. And that’s the thing about ‘Near Earth Objects’ you’ll constantly be reminded of the magical sound of people like George Duke, Tower of Power, the Brecker Brothers, the Crusaders even Prince. But the Boom Yeh’s are no mere copyists. They deliver in their very own way. Out now via Cosmosium Records.
