The mixture of R&B, soul, gospel, and so much more that is the ‘Daptone Sound’ is back, on Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings’ latest record, 100 Days, 100 Nights. Since the 2005 release of Naturally, Jones and The Kings have been very busy: Jones landing a role in Denzel Washington’s upcoming The Great Debaters, as well as a slot on the soundtrack, and The Kings performing as Amy Winehouse’s band, plus recently doing the music for ESPN’s ESPY Awards and the MTV Video Music Awards. But Jones and the boys have come back home to Brooklyn with 100 Days, 100 Nights.
The eponymous track that opens the record opens it on a high note, delivering a big band-brand of R&B/soul that has power, but is never overwhelming. The following “Nobody’s Baby” is similar, though lacks a remarkable verse, but from there on out, Jones & Kings try out a variety of styles. “Be Easy” really grooves, with an even groovier breakdown, while “Something’s Changed” is more melancholy in its smoothness, and has a great blues guitar solo. While “Tell Me” maybe can’t quite decide to go hard or go big, “Keep On Looking” is a fast, jump-jivin’ number, sure to make you move your feet.
Other tracks on 100 Days let in more of the soul. The slower “When the Other Foot Drops, Uncle” has a gospel-like power, while the emotion of the following “Let Them Knock” is more blues-y and down-home. “Humble Me” is perhaps a little too soft, but not enough can be said about the closing number, “Answer Me”. Blues, soul, gospel… – this song’s got everything, and they’re working on all cylinders. There’s a great beat, great rise and falls, and some kick-ass horns. Forceful without being over-weaning, “Answer” ends 100 Nights just as how the title track began it: on a high note.
Recorded in their owned & operated analog studio in Bushwick, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings sound like a band that knows who they are and what they want to do. With a fuller sound than on Naturally, they’ve added more of a ‘big band’ feel, as well as more soul, to 100 Days, 100 Nights. The songs move surprising quick, but time flies when you’re having fun, and that’s what this album is.
