Down Deep by The Feeling Groovies

'The Feeling Groovies' prove themselves to be a very slick bunch of musicians, in more ways than one. Just when you think you've got them cornered, musically speaking, they slip by your guard and pop up with a brand new bunch o' grooves.

There are those that would label them a "Nightclub Band", but the fact of the matter is 'the Groovies' are simply one of those groups that are hard to put your finger on. Jazzy? Definitely. Funky? No doubt. Latin and club? Yep. Hey, these guys just follow wherever the feel takes them. And even though each of the members play in a number of other bands, it's always with this line-up that the chemistry really starts to brew.

But let's go back for a moment. It was 3 years since the first album, Vibez’n, and the Thursday night residency at The Lounge in Melbourne - a night which gained a huge word-of-mouth cult status - where every week a dedicated crowd grooved their way into the early hours. A lot of musical water had since passed under the bridge, both Michael Pablo and Steve Purcell have moved on, Andy Price took over on bass while Bruce and Jeff returned to vocals as per the original line-up.

The changes injected a new enthusiasm and this second album, Down Deep, sounds as fresh as ever. Never a group to rehearse the life out of a song, the band's recording process proved to be an extension of a live performance whereby the music evolved naturally rather than be burdened by any rigid structure.

Not scared to play all their trump cards in the one hand, Down Deep takes you on a variety of musical journeys without ever losing the general direction of the overall groove. The sultry, jazzy 'Bells' and 'Koo-Kee' (the perfect accompaniment for mixing a cocktail or twelve!), see the Groovies in a familiar mode, while the smooth pop psychedelia of 'Bluestone' comes from left field and the funky dark abyss that is 'Down In The Deep' submerges you well into the subterranean depths. 'Wall Of Skank' delivers just what the title promises, 'Quintessential' is big on cheesy keyboard, slick guitar and sharp trumpet, while 'Groovies Are Go' is a wicked theme tune that's just waiting for a spy series cool enough!

So for all those people who continually come up to the band after shows asking if there's an album out…Here it is!

Sir Ashley Van Dyke

Founded by Jeff Raglus, 'The Feeling Groovies' prove themselves to be a very slick bunch of musicians, in more ways than one. Just when you think you've got them cornered, musically speaking, they slip by your guard and pop up with a brand new bunch 'o' grooves.

jazzhead.com
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