We’ve featured French “soul-jazz-reggae” collective SOUL SUGAR several times before. Based in Montmartre and led by organist GUILLAUME METENIER we were particularly intrigued by their recent single – a reggae flavoured take on Curtis Mayfield’s enduring ballad, ‘The Makings of You’.
That single heralded a new album from the band and the set, ‘Just A Little Talk’ has just won release on Gee Recordings. The set’s a concise eight tracker and it would have to be classed as “reggae” rather than “soul-jazz”. That said, it offers plenty of intrigue… like the Curtis cover. There’s also a cover version of Donald Byrd’s ‘Blackbyrd’ – here given a sort of dub treatment.
Elsewhere, there’s the pleasing lovers rock of ‘The End of Your World’ (featuring soulful lead vocals from Jolly Joseph) and a smattering of reggae instrumentals – the most complex being ‘Tubby’s Ghost’ – an old Metenier tune which he’s re-cut for the album. We’re guessing it’s a tribute to King Tubby.
Yes, so despite the band’s name (inspired by the classic 1969 Jimmy McGriff LP) this is a reggae collection – but one with, as we said, plenty of interest an intrigue!
