BASTARDS OF SOUL is a funk and soul band from East Dallas, Texas. They debuted in 2016 and have three albums in their back catalogue. Those albums, ‘Spinnin’’, ‘Corners’ and this one, ‘Give It Right Back’ have won them a cult following amongst those who relish the sound of contemporary musicians delivering a special take on classic soul. Oddly, despite the vibrancy and soulful quality of their music, the Bastards have not quite made the major leagues – maybe it’s the name. Doesn’t sound like a classic soul band does it? Whatever, the status of the band might well change with the new, more aggressive marketing of this, their third LP, which, though released at the back end of last year seemed to slip under the radar for reasons we’ll endeavour to explain.
At the core of the band are Danny Balis (bass), Matt Trimble (drums), Chad Stockslager (keys) and Chris Holt (guitar) while the vocalist was the charismatic Chadwick Murray. We use the past tense with sadness, as Chadwick tragically died in September 2021 aged just 45. His passing, as the band were crafting the album, was, naturally, a bitter blow. It destroyed momentum and sapped the team’s energy. However, after a period of grieving and heart searching the remaining quartet resolved to finish the album – digging out some old material and drafting in some special guest singers and musicians including a fierce and brash horn section. As we’ve said the nine tracker that is ‘Give It Right Back’ was released last year – but the release, for obvious reasons, was a low key affair. Now the group and their label feel the time is right to give the set another push – if only as a tribute to Chadwick Murray.
And what a tribute! ‘Give It Right Back’opens with a trio of songs that are amongst the best soul outings you’ll come across all year! The set opens with a gorgeous symphonic ballad, ‘This Love’. The song was written by Murray for his wife Hannah but, sadly, he never got the chance to record it. The voice caressing the tender lyric is Keite Young who comes on like a 21st century Sam Cooke. The cut is a wonderful opening to the LP. The next track, ‘Try A Little Love’ maintains the quality. This is sweet soul at its best. It’s a semi-instrumental (the harmony vocal from the Sha La Das just stresses the title) . This one struts beautifully like, well, yes, the good old ‘Soulful Stut’. Completing the lovely opening trio is the crisp’ While It’s Hot’ which will recall the best of mellow moment Tower Of Power – superb brass work!
This album delivers all sorts of other soul flavours too. ‘Woman Of Hell’ and ‘The Truth Won’t Change Your Mind’ are southern soul meanders while the flavour of the loose and jaunty ‘You Let Me Down Again’ is New Orleans. Psych soul is represented by ‘Bitterness’ ( a song that also featured on the band’s first album; guests here are the Ghost Funk Orchestra by the way) while if you want funk in your face go straight to the instrumental ‘BBQ In Paris’ – tight and tasty!
By now you might have guessed that we like this album. We do. It passed us by last year. Don’t let it pass you by!
(BB) 4/5
