Jack Mack & The Heart Attack Horns – Back To The Shack
SSR Freeroll Records
10 songs time-41:51
Jack Mack & The Heart Attack Horns the Los Angeles based soul and R&B band are funkier than Gorgonzola cheese. Before we get started, there is no Jack Mack. Go figure. Not to worry, there is the number one blue-eyed soul brother in the person of lead singer Mark Campbell. This guy is funkier than a monkey. His soul and cool quotient is 150% at least. Of course the Heart Attack Horns hold everything together. The rhythm section can stop on a dime and give you nine cents change. Carlos Murguia and first call keyboardist Mike Finnigan add some extra funk. Guitarist and co-producer Andrew Kastner handles rhythm guitar along with economical but hot solos. Add some powerful background vocals to this funky stew and you got something Jack(pun intended). The instrumentation is pretty much the same throughout, but many different tempos and rhythms are utilized. Ok, enough of my clever repartee’, on to the festivities.
The scratchiness of an old 45 record is replicated under acoustic guitar, then things launch into the super-charged “Standin’ Before The King”, which appears to be a tribute to B.B. King as well as to blues music in general. “Something In The Water” is so funky you can smell it. Mike Finnigan is featured on his way cool organ playing. “Don’t Let Her Go” offers up more of the same. “Never Too Late” features stinging guitar along with the ever present horn section and a persistent beat. A gospel influence is prevalent along with some churchy organ on the slow soul burner “Somebody To Trust”. In “Serves Me Right” the narrator fesses up to his indiscretions over the usual funky grooves.
The band ups the funk in the slinky “Bad Habit”. The tempo slows down for two songs before ending with some super-charged stuff. “Change My Ways” features old school girl backing vocals and a great sax solo by Bill Bergman. “Ain’t No Way” is in the mold of the classic soul slow burners. The fast paced cool grooves of Sam & Dave are replicated on “Let Me In”. Just try keeping still to this one.
There ya have it music lovers. The band harkens back to old school soul and R&B while sounding fresh and up to date. Everything clicks on all cylinders, from the tight band to the crystal clear production values. If you love soul and R&B done just right or just plain love good music, have I got a band for you!
