Ikebe Shakedown, the self-titled album from the Brooklyn-based band, plays with elements of Cinematic Soul, Afro-funk, Deep Disco, and Boogaloo in all the right ways. After spending a few years together the group, named after a favorite Nigerian boogie record (and pronounced “ee-KAY-bay,”) delivers a driving set of tunes featuring a mighty horn section anchored by tight, deep-pocketed grooves.
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The Ikebe debut for Ubiquity Records sees the band push their globally-informed sound and eclectic approach to tune-writing into new territory, “Self-titling the album is a way to introduce the audience to the many facets of the band — to provide a more complete understanding of what we do,” bassist Vince Chiarito says. “Our sound has grown to incorporate our influences without overtly representing any one in particular. It just sounds like us,” he adds.
Most of the rhythm section met at Bard College, and the band rounded-out
and officially formed when everyone settled in Brooklyn in 2008. From
there, Ikebe has emerged as a compelling voice on the progressive local
scene. After a run of dates around NYC, Ikebe recorded their debut 7”
single and the EP, Hard Steppin’, which was released on Colemine
Records in 2009, receiving high praise from critics and fans alike. The
group was invited to record at Dunham Studios with producer Tom
Brenneck and at Killion Sound in Los Angeles, home of engineer Sergio
Rios of fellow Ubiquity act Orgone. “The studios share a lot of similarities —
the tracks were all cut live to tape with minimal use of headphones and
overdubs. This basic approach allowed us to dig in and really focus on
getting dynamic performances,” Chiarito explains.
The old school mentality to recording spills over in the lush, laid-back, and
soulful funk joints like “Kumasi Walk” and “No Name Bar” where the
multi-layered horn section plays off a cavernous backing tracks of slick
drumming, spacey Hammond organ, and nimble guitar riffing. The
cinematic soul sound is warm and deep with the 7-piece band sounding The forthcoming Ikebe debut for Ubiquity Records sees the band push
their globally-informed sound and eclectic approach to tune-writing into
new territory, “Self-titling the album is a way to introduce the audience to
the many facets of the band — to provide a more complete understanding of
what we do,” bassist Vince Chiarito says. “Our sound has grown to
incorporate our influences without overtly representing any one in
particular. It just sounds like us,” he adds.
Most of the rhythm section met at Bard College, and the band rounded-out
and officially formed when everyone settled in Brooklyn in 2008. From
there, Ikebe has emerged as a compelling voice on the progressive local
scene. After a run of dates around NYC, Ikebe recorded their debut 7”
single and the EP, Hard Steppin’, which was released on Colemine
Records in 2009, receiving high praise from critics and fans alike. The
group was invited to record at Dunham Studios with producer Tom
Brenneck and at Killion Sound in Los Angeles, home of engineer Sergio
Rios of fellow Ubiquity act Orgone. “The studios share a lot of similarities —
the tracks were all cut live to tape with minimal use of headphones and
overdubs. This basic approach allowed us to dig in and really focus on
getting dynamic performances,” Chiarito explains.
The old school mentality to recording spills over in the lush, laid-back, and
soulful funk joints like “Kumasi Walk” and “No Name Bar” where the
multi-layered horn section plays off a cavernous backing tracks of slick
drumming, spacey Hammond organ, and nimble guitar riffing. The
cinematic soul sound is warm and deep with the 7-piece band sounding The forthcoming Ikebe debut for Ubiquity Records sees the band push
their globally-informed sound and eclectic approach to tune-writing into
new territory, “Self-titling the album is a way to introduce the audience to
the many facets of the band — to provide a more complete understanding of
what we do,” bassist Vince Chiarito says. “Our sound has grown to
incorporate our influences without overtly representing any one in
particular. It just sounds like us,” he adds.
Most of the rhythm section met at Bard College, and the band rounded-out
and officially formed when everyone settled in Brooklyn in 2008. From
there, Ikebe has emerged as a compelling voice on the progressive local
scene. After a run of dates around NYC, Ikebe recorded their debut 7”
single and the EP, Hard Steppin’, which was released on Colemine
Records in 2009, receiving high praise from critics and fans alike. The
group was invited to record at Dunham Studios with producer Tom
Brenneck and at Killion Sound in Los Angeles, home of engineer Sergio
Rios of fellow Ubiquity act Orgone. “The studios share a lot of similarities —
the tracks were all cut live to tape with minimal use of headphones and
overdubs. This basic approach allowed us to dig in and really focus on
getting dynamic performances,” Chiarito explains.
The old school mentality to recording spills over in the lush, laid-back, and
soulful funk joints like “Kumasi Walk” and “No Name Bar” where the
multi-layered horn section plays off a cavernous backing tracks of slick
drumming, spacey Hammond organ, and nimble guitar riffing. The
cinematic soul sound is warm and deep with the 7-piece band sounding more like a larger ensemble as increasing layers leap from the
tapes. At the other end of the BPM counter, on “Tujunga,” the
band build a gritty African disco jam boasting a floor-filling
percussion section, adding seductive guitar licks and an
irresistible bass-line to set their horns ablaze. “Tame The Beats”
is pure fire – bold melodies and heavy rhythms propel the song,
with Meters-esque breakdowns providing only brief respite from
the action.
