NIGHT OWLS Vinyl & CDs

Review: Night Owls are well known and loved amongst funk fans and dropped a superb album not so long ago. But they don't rest on their laurels and instead come back with more goodness in 7" form here on the F Spot label. 'I Only Have Eyes For You' (feat Chris Dowd & Tippa Lee) is more of their heavy-hitting funk and soul goodness with some uplifting vocal work next to the sound signature rhythms. The back side of this limited edition 45rpm is taken up by the equally fresh 'Live And Let Live', this time featuring Miles Tackett.

Review: A double-barrelled shot of classic soul and Motown, LA-based soul flippers Night Owls are back again after their LP earlier this year with their first 45 transforming songs with their unique Jamaican flair. Side A steals the show off the bat, with 'Cramp Your Style' pricking up hip-hop fans' ears as the groundwork for Cypress Hill's 'Real Estate'. N'Dea Davenport's vocals are silky smooth against the grooving instrumental - you can't help but smile. Side B's 'Your Old Standby' is a slower, more emotional affair with vocals from Trish Toledo that hearken back to the original in magical fashion.

Review: Night Owls are an LA-based group made up of members of The Lions and The Aggrolites, pooling their skills into a seriously slick stew which splits the difference between roots reggae and funky soul. Sonically, they achieve a perfect 70s sound with plenty of choppy guitar licks, cool organ and light dubby touches on the desk, but first and foremost comes the songwriting. These tunes have an instant classic kind of feel to them, helped no end by the revolving door roster of vocalists reaching from Kendra Morris to Malik The Freq Moore and so many more besides lending their croon to the exquisite musicianship.