(Melting Pot Music/Creative Vibes)

‘Lefties Soul Connection’ are a modern day funk band, starring Alviz, Onno, Bram and Vogel, they play gutbucket bass, chicken guitar and gritty hammond. This album ‘Hutspot’ is not a body of new work as such but rather a collection of Lefties singles that were previously available on vinyl only.

Spanning three years of work, what you will be treated to here is sweet, dirty funk – raw and without pretension. Though noticeably influenced by the New Orleans sound, namely Dr John, Lee Dorsey and The Meters, it should be noted that these cats are far from old school. Reflecting the gritty underbelly of Amsterdam from where they reside, they pay their respects to those that came before them and then go about their way like its 2010.

There is an awful lot of dance floor good on this album but my picks would have to be, ‘It’s Your Thing’; beginning with a slow but hammering swagger it culminates into one relentless, sweaty, self indulgent jam session that will leave you gasping for air. Made a classic by DJ Shadow, ‘Organ Donor’ has new life breathed into it via off-kilter breaks, gritty guitar and technoid trickery, its a fine piece of work that should leave its creator no less than impressed. With its cheeky title, cleaving chords and vibrant soul structure, ‘Wellie Wanging’ diverts slightly from the hard hitting madness to present a sexy slice of bright and uplifting funk.

Those already in possession of Lefties on vinyl will find ‘Hutspot’ to be a tidy little summary of their sonic adventures to date. Those looking for an introduction into funk as it should be, you have come to the right place.