With the ‘Sold Out’ sign already in place, expectations were high for the first Sydney appearance by Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. One of the finest funk and soul groups working today, The Dap-Kings collaborations with Sharon Jones have produced some great 45’s and two killer albums as ‘Dapp Dipping with…’ and ‘Naturally’ have marked the pair as one of the names to watch in the growing deep funk scene.

I arrive to the sweet sounds of Cookin on Three Burners live on stage, early in their set. The Melbourne trio are the side project for Lance Henderson, guitarist and bandleader of the Bamboos (whose recent album ‘Step It Up’ on Tru Thoughts is essential listening for funk fans). For this gig a guest conga player joins the core of guitar, drums and keys. Already a healthy crowd is in attendance with many heads nodding and a few hips swinging, as every track features tight grooves with solos offered up regularly.

However the keyboard player takes the prize by working the pedals like a maniac, so the classic Hammond organ sound cuts through the mix like a funky buzzsaw. Their single ‘Gravel Rash’ from a couple of years back is a stand-out, while a soon to be dropped 12” is also previewed to good effect. Someone please bring these guys back to Sydney in the near future, as their gigs here seem few and far between.

DJ Regal is up next, delving into the heavy funk section of his collection starting out with some classic James Brown material, before dropping hot tracks from current artists like Breakestra, the Bamboos with Alice Russell and Lefties Soul Collection. Regal shows his professionalism and doesn’t miss a beat as his mobile DJ rig is moved around the stage so the roadies can finish their set up for Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. Regal’s set is top shelf but as the crowd continues to swell, it’s fair to say many people are waiting for the headliners with a sense of impatient excitement.

Soon enough the time comes and the Dap-Kings hit the stage in matching suits. With Sharon Jones nowhere in sight, guitarist and MC Binky Griptite introduces the band and in short order, the seven piece oufit on stage (sans their conga player) comprised of a three piece horn section, two guitarists, drummer and bass player proceed to absolutely tear through three or fours track on their own, including one from their third album due out later this year. Binky’s singing, MCing, guitar playing and sly dance moves reveal a talented all-rounder, as the whole band display the ability to play fast and melodic hard funk yet stop on a dime at a moments notice, only possible due to their years of playing together.

By this time the audience is at boiling point as Binky introduces the star of the show – Miss Sharon Jones. Small in size but big in personality, from the moment she walks on Sharon Jones owns the stage. Decked out in a floral printed dress with dark hair in pigtails and fitted heel ankle boots combined with oversized earrings, the women has energy and attitude to burn. Miss Jones’ reputation as the baddest woman in soul music is no lie – the power of her voice to move you is amazing, while her crazy ass dance moves are performed with the unabashed passion of someone afraid she may die the moment she leaves the stage.

The end of her first track finds Jones putting a towel on the floor and getting on her knees, admonishing the crowd to stop thinking dirty as she got only down there, to let her man know that it was time for him to go. The show continues with tracks like ‘How Do I Let a Good Man Down’ ‘Pick it Up, Lay It in The Cut’ and ‘My Man Is a Mean Man’ being high points where the Dap-Kings power and precision provide a perfect foil for the ever present Sharon Jones.

As for Miss Jones, unbelievably the intensity of her performance is continually ratcheted up to epic proportions, and the audience can’t get enough of what she is delivering. ‘You’re Gonna Get it’ stands out for its restraint against the prevailing frenzy; while ‘Fish on a Dish’ sees her casting an imaginary line and reeling it in pretending she is angling. A scorching version of ‘What if we all stop paying taxes?’ is preceded by a scathing swipe at George Bush over the war in Iraq, reminding those who may have forgotten that plenty of classic funk and soul has been made with politics front and centre.

Sharon Jones’ wild style dance moves have to be seen to be believed, but combined with her voice, they make it absolutely impossible to take your eyes off her. Many of the crowd are going absolutely mental and crowd participation is at an all time high, in no small part due to anywhere from one to several people being brought up on stage to dance with Miss Jones during each track. Most people seem to be having the time of their lives, stoked at being included in the show while through it all, Miss Jones seems to be in perfectly in synch with whatever each moment happens to bring.

After an amazing ninety or so minutes of one of the greatest performances I have seen in many years of gigging, the main set ends to raucous applause. The first of three encores ensue and to prove it was no fluke, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings again push the energy into the red zone and I wonder how long they can maintain their fire. The second and third encores are also strong and after two hours they leave the stage for the last time while an amazed audience cheer them, acknowledging their exceptional efforts.

A good chunk of the crowd depart at this point, while those who remain get to witness a rare treat as two of Sydney’s finest DJs – Regal and Simon Caldwell – go back to back in an attempt to get some people to stay on the dancefloor. More classic funk than you can throw an Afro at ensues and a few hardy souls stay on the floor to try and keep the party alive. Despite the pairs best efforts there ain’t no doubt, the high point of the night has been and gone, so with that in mind it’s time to leave the building.

Many thanks to Niche Promotions for bringing Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings to Sydney. Time will tell if this show turns the tide for Deep Funks fortunes in Sydney’s clubs and signals the beginning of  a new era, or not.