It’s a bit of a shame that funk and soul artists don’t get that much recognition in Australia these days. Because without doubt, Australia has one of the best deep funk outfits in the business in The Bamboos. Forming in 2001, their debut album Step It Up was released in 2005, and won rave reviews around the world, cementing their place as the new upstarts of the funk scene. With Lance Ferguson on Guitar, Ben Grayson on Hammond organ, Danny Ferrugia on drums, Yuri Pavlinov on bass, Anton Delecca on saxophone & flute and Ross Irwin on the trumpet, this sextet works cohesively as a tight unit, without the actual need for a regular vocalist, like Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. Instead, they rely on guest vocalists that give each of their songs a different feel. With a sound that harks to the throwback days of the 60’s and 70’s, they hold no punches in delivering their own slice of the era. Signed to Tru Thoughts, home to their contemporaries such as Alice Russell and Quantic Soul Orchestra, they more than hold their own next to these international heavyweights. The Bamboos’ sophomore release Rawville builds on the foundations of the first album, and continues to push the boundaries of all things funky.

Kicking off with The Bamboos Theme, this fast, toe tapping instrumental number sets the tone for the album. The melodic stylings of Anton Delecca’s flute feature, and rather than taking center stage, it complements the rest of the band. The Witch is a slightly slower tune, using light skittish drumming as a basis for building the track. Once the organs, trumpets and saxophone kick in, it feels more complete. Which I think is one of the main attributes of the group. Lance Ferguson is often credited as the leader of the group, but no one member really ‘carries’ the band. They work as a unit, as one, and as such, create a harmony that resonates with the listener. Pussy Footin’ sees Ben Grayson utilising the organ to full effect, but not overdoing it. The title track Rawville is a slow burner, showcasing each of the talents of the band members.

A difference between Step It Up and Rawville is the number of vocal tracks on the album. While the debut featured only a couple of vocal tracks, Rawville is split evenly – half instrumental, half vocal. Enlisting the help of regular collaborator and fellow Tru Thoughts artist Alice Russell on Bring It Home, the instruments work well with Russell’s soulful and sultry voice. My Baby’s Cheating (I Sure Got The Feeling) features Fallon Williams on vocals, who almost sounds like he’s channeling Wilson Picket. I Don’t Wanna Stop features vocalist Kylie Audist, who sounds suspiciously like Sharon Jones. Her vocals complement the rest of the band so well, and help turn this into one of the best tracks on the album. Vocalist Tyra Hammond guest stars on Head In The Clouds, and you can hear the longing in her smooth voice. But it’s the two tracks featuring Lightheaded MC Ohmega Watts that are the standout here. Get In The Scene and Rockin’ It successfully blend funk and hip hop, and even include a bit of a latin flavour. Watts has always been a fan of The Bamboos, and his appearance on this record shows just how far they have come, and how easily the sound they create permeates the music scene.

As the title suggests, Rawville is exactly that – raw, smart, funky and cool. The Bamboos have a sound that is at times stripped back, at times full on, but rather than rely on sound effects and studio magic, they’ve stuck to the simple formula of playing instruments – and playing them well. iDJ Magazine called Rawville “…arguably the best funk album of the modern era”, and with good reason. There’s no doubt The Bamboos are right up there with the likes of Quantic and Sharon Jones, carrying the torch jazz/funk/soul torch for the new millennium. Soon to tour in June, this album is definitely one to look out for.