Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » The Liberators: The Liberators

The Liberators: The Liberators

Item: The Liberators
Rating: 8
Author: Mark F. Turner

By Mark F. Turner
April 9, 2011
View read count

Track review of "Rags To Riches"

The long arms of Fela Kuti and James Brown have stretched down under, with the debut of this Australian funk group's self-titled debut. Based in Sydney, The Liberators effectively rock the house, funk it up, and throw down some sweating dance music in venues and concerts, paying homage to jazz, funk, and Afrobeat.

"Rags To Riches" is a throwback to the soundtracks of 1970s Blaxploitation films such as Shaft (1971). The tune's groove is fueled by a deadly rhythm section, Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker-like horns vamps, and that signature wah-wah guitar riff that's got the right amount of elasticity. The sounds of percussion and gritty organ dance under the covers, as the band's tight musicianship delivers a track like the iconic phrase used to describe Shaft's main protagonist. In other words: it's a "bad mutha (shut yo' mouth!)" Ya dig?

FOLLOW Mark F. Turner and get notified whenever a new article published.
Considering himself a modern day 'Jazz Explorer' Mark continues to discover new and exciting music territories.

Personnel

Andrew: drums; Andrew: bass; Ed: guitar,percussion; Nathan: guitar; Dave: keys/percussion; Dia: percussion; Mike: tenor sax; Ken: trumpet; Akira: bone; Symo: baritone.

Album information

Title: The Liberators | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Unknown label

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Walter Kolosky: Affairs of the Heart
< Previous

To Hear From There
Next >

Become a Sustaining Member

Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.

Help Build the Future of All About Jazz

Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.

Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.

Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.