Roosevelt /
Capistrano Sessions
By
Fun Lovin’
Criminals
Since bursting onto the music scene in 1996 with their debut
album ‘Come Find Yourself’ and the infamous debut single ‘Scooby Snacks’, the
Fun Lovin’ Criminals have released seven studio albums, two cover albums, a
live album and there has been a host of Best Of compilations as well. In fact,
2023 is the 25th anniversary of their second album 100% Colombian,
originally released in 1998.
Their sound mixes elements of Hip Hop, Rock ‘n’ Roll,
Blues-Jazz and Latin-Soul, which makes their music almost universally enjoyed
by lovers of many genres. After finding that international success, the band
settled in the UK, quickly becoming Europe’s “cousins from New York”.
The bands’ current line-up is Brian Fast Leiser (Lead
vocals, bass, keys, horns, harp, and programming), Frank Benbini (Drums, percussion,
and vocals) and Naim Cortazzi (Guitar and vocals).
During their most recent tour, my son Rowan took me to see
them live at Thekla in Bristol. While waiting for the band to take the stage I
got talking to Robbo, who was manning the merch stall. Now being a big chap,
there weren’t any t-shirts of my size available, however there was a pre-order
for a limited-edition vinyl consisting of two EP’s, the Roosevelt Sessions,
and the Capistrano Sessions, so I decided to get the pre-order. This led
to me considering a review, I thought ‘why not’ and had a chat to Robbo, who
said he would introduce me to the band after. Following the Gig, and with
security trying to move us out, I managed a quick chat with Frank, who was
happy for me to review the vinyl and said the band would read it and support
it. So, that is how I got to this point, that, and the fact that the vinyl
arrived last week of course.
So, join me on a journey though this limited-edition
pressing of the Roosevelt Sessions and Capistrano Sessions…
The A-Side is the Roosevelt Sessions and kicks off
with Unfinished Business, which has that Blues-Jazz vibe and sees the
FLC dropping one of those New York gangster story vibes. This one puts you in
mind of being sat in some dark and smoky basement setting, while around you,
the real gangsters stand looking intently, analysing your every move, and
questioning who you are, your motives and if you even are who you say you are?
It’s all about knowing who’s who, who to trust and who is the mole. Shake It
Loose has a more soulful, horn heavy sound with a deeper meaning as the FLC
speak on having a ‘monkey on you back’ and the chains that hold you down. This
is all about problems or even addictions that you keep secret, and which hold
you back from being your true self. So, often those close to you know there is
something but, it takes time to get you to open up and to admit what’s going
on, then you get some help, and, with support, you can finally shake that
monkey loose. Up next is Village Groove, a multi-layered sound that
would be at home in any number of clubs or bars. Essentially this is like an
ode to New York city and what it means to live and work within streets and
buildings. It gives you a sense of this enormous multi-cultural ‘city that
never sleeps’ that is home to so many people and encompasses as many musical
genres as it does the people that live there. The final track of the Roosevelt
Sessions is Love Ya Back, a jazz-funk sound that seems to encapsulate
the night time sound of the New York streets. Here that sound is focused on
being on a night out with that special woman in your life, and when the love is
so deep that it combines with the music to elicit the perfect emotions to allow
you to express exactly how you feel.
Spinning the disc over to the B-Side, it’s time for the Capistrano
Sessions…
Walking Tall has the sort of funk sound that you just
can’t help but move to. There is no real deep message here, in fact just like
some of your favourite Hip Hop tracks, this is a cracking lyrical display that
is just for fun, to lighten the mood and have some fun. With some great names
dropped in too like Prince, Trugoy (De La Soul), Bruce Lee and Bob Marley, this
one will have you movin’ and groovin’ all through the night. Hot City
Night’s, takes you back to the New York City blocks and the plethora of
sounds that can be heard as you cruise the streets, including the Hip Hop
connection with a dash of scratchin’. You really get that sense of those
sounds, the people and what you can expect to see and experience as you move
from block to block. It’s almost like an FLC musical incentive for people to
visit the big city and experience the sights and sounds. Double Double
finds the FLC transporting us from New York to California, the sound represents
this with this funky, pop-rock kinda vibe. It’s all about that upbeat,
feel-good mood as you feel the sunshine, golden beaches and much more as it’s
all about the good times in LA and feeling those vibes from your ears to your
toes. Last up is Running From The Shadows, a heavy drum heavy sound that
pounds in your ears but, is broken by the piano on the bridge and guitar solo.
Here we find the FLC looking at how we can all struggle with our own mental
health. We can all get caught up in the day-to-day stresses that our anxieties
get the better of us, sometimes to the point when even the things we are most
familiar with have us doing a double take.
I’m not gonna beat around the bush here, I loved this from
top to bottom. It is engaging both musically and vocally. Every track has a
wealth of musical influences that are almost too many to name but, as you sit
and listen more and more you pick up the elements of Hip Hop, Jazz, Funk, Rock
and so on.
From top to bottom both the Roosevelt Sessions and
the Capistrano Sessions are entertaining and highly enjoyable, this is
the sort of music that not only makes you think of the Fun Lovin’ Criminals
but, it also makes you want to listen over and over again, it’s infectious.
That multi-genre vibe opens this up to the ears of some many people, you really
understand why these guys are so big because that sound is just so infectious.
The other thing for me is the live instrument sound, there
really is something to be said for mixing live instruments with samples and
programming. It has worked so well within Hip Hop and the Fun Lovin’ Criminals
really do bring an extra dimension, you feel every drum beat, every guitar
chord, horn note and key notes, right down into the depths of you being.
This is the music that works in so many places from the car
to the club, the BBQ to the chill out session, it really speaks on so many
levels. Mainly because vocally, each track speaks on many levels looking at
life, enjoying good music, celebrating where you live and the places you love,
but also having some fun, just for the hell of it and relating those gangster
stories in words, instead of the in moving pictures. Every track here allows
the listener to create visions in their mind of what’s being said, and that is
going to be different for everyone but, the enjoyment is gonna be the same.
If I had to sum up this slice of vinyl in one sentence, then
it would be this…
When I mentioned I was reviewing this vinyl someone asked if
the Fun Lovin’ Criminals “still got it?”, I can only say one thing “Hell Yeah,
They still got it”.
My humble thanks to Robbo, Fun Lovin’ Criminals and Di
Fontaine Recordings…
The limited edition of 100 only and is out there now.
As for me, I’m out,
See Ya,
Steve
LINKS
Fun Lovin' Criminals Website (all social links can be found here):
https://www.funlovincriminals.co/
Fun Lovin' Criminals Store:
https://funlovincriminals.tmstor.es/
Fun Lovin Criminals YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/funlovincrimstv
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