Customer Reviews

Based on a True Story (Dig)

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's easy to see how much these 7 guys really do love music, as the New Zealand collective known as Fat Freddy's Drop offer up a real diverse sounding album, filled with reggae and jazz infused downtempo vocal tracks. Joe Dukie, aka Dallas Tamaira has one of the smoothest sounding voices of any electronic or pop male vocalist I've heard in a while. His soulful and crisp sound instantly take any lyrical journey up a notch to the next level. It's DJ Fitchie doing the mixing, Fulla Flash on sax, Jetlag Johnson on guitars, Dobie Blaze on keys, Ho Pepa on trombone, and Tony Chang on cornet. These guys have no shortage in delivering jazzy soundscapes with a touch of dub and reggae to back Dukie.

It's a different sounding album then most US music listeners would be accustomed to, as it's a far cry from the pop that's scattered across our top 40. However, in New Zealand, this album has been on their top 40 chart for an astonishing 90 weeks and counting, and was the biggest selling album in NZ in 2006. It's no wonder, as this is a quality album, by a unique musical collaboration. Mixing jazz, electronica, reggae, and soulful vocals, Fat Freddy's Drop have created a mind opening venture into current music trends.

The album features the singles Flashback, a vocal track which sounds reminiscent of 60's Motown; Wandering Eye, probably the most mainstream sounding vocal track on the album; Roady, a playful dub track with some slick lyrics from guest Ladi 6; Ernie, a jazzy downtempo track with a full 4 minutes of soothing piano melody until the vocals finally kick in; and one of my favorites, Cay's Crays, which features the ultra catchy chorus line, "the skank be the rock in my life".

Since this album has been out in other places before it hit the US, we can already seek out several versions and remixes of lots of these tracks. Especially notable is the Jazzanova's Mashed Bag mix of Flashback, where they remove the broken beat sound of the original, and turn it into a an even more vintage sounding vocal track, by infusing it with an all jazz sound. Cay's Crays also has a cool remix out there by One Self, which features two guest reggae vocalists and additional lyrics. A rare, live version of This Room can be found on Gilles Peterson's BBC Sessions compilation. It's exceptional, as they tend to make each track sound unique every time they play it elsewhere. You won't find them sounding the same twice, but you can count on every time sounding especially good, which further proves how diverse and musically talented these guys really are.

A do not miss artist album that needs more exposure her in the US. It's better than the majority of the major artists and tracks now being played on US radio and popping up on our charts. If you are looking for a mix of exceptional vocals and nu jazz sounds, look no further. I can't wait for more from these New Zealand guys, and hopefully their stuff will reach these shores much quicker next time! One last note is that the store I shop at had this erroneously thrown into the pop/rock section, when it should be in either electronic, lounge, jazz, or even reggae. So, check around, order it here, or do whatever you have to to own this great album.

A wonderful wonderful album. The listening experience gets richer with each listen.
fat Freddy's Drop make music with dub and reggae roots. They're unafraid of long tracks. The music is flavoured with jazz and soul. Strong brass, bass and piano.

Try this uncategorisable and original Wellington ensemble. True summery music.

Beautiful.

This cd is sooooooo good! It has a little bit of everything...I never get tired of listening to it. I have turned on friends to this cd, and they all come back saying the same thing...they can't stop listening to it. Cays Crays is one of my favorite all time songs. The lyrics and music keep me hanging on, and just when it sounds like the song is over, it gives you a taste of roots and dub. The horns on this cd are great, and are something that is lost these days to synthesizers on most cds. The musicians on this cd are all very talented and truely understand music, and it shows on this creative cd. I've been to New Zealand twice and it is my favorite place in the world, and listening to this cd takes me back there to enjoy the vibes and mana of Aotearoa.
Other great New Zealand artists to check out if you enjoy this are Trinity Roots, The Black Seeds, Salmonella Dub, Kora, and Hollie Smith(she can be heard on some of FFD's tracks and has an EP out). Conscious Roots 2 is a great compilation to listen to for an ontroduction to different NZ artists. I am a roots lover, so my recommendations reflect that...Enjoy!

Sure you read a few reviews and think this sounds interesting. You get it in the mail, it has kind of a funky offbeat cover which kind of fits with the whacky name. You plug it in and it is a slow kind of off beat stuff. 2 songs in you think hmm... missbuy. Stubbornly you mozey on and come across something with a more pop beat. Ah kind of sweet. Eh, let me listen again, you do, and next thing you know, the proctologist calls. We found your head. And you listen again and again and again. Whiskey Foxtrot Tango, this is just a great innovative funny record. Digging it!

So I picked up this CD on a whim after reading some reviews. It is absolutely great. The music is mostly dub, but it combines jazz, fusion, rock, and even elements of hip-hop. Their mastry of the element is evident from the first song to the last. Pick it up if you want something fresh and new that will never get old or fall into the relm of obscurity. I'm anxiously awaiting their next effort and I hope that it comes out soon.

I concur with my fellow reviewers. Love these guys and have been looking for other similar music, so thanks for the recommendations. You can't help but FEEL IT....it's so musical. Just sit back and cruise with them....they'll take you places, if you let them. Would love to see them LIVE!!!

If you wanted the ultimate chill album,but played by real musos(not remixed) If you wanted the ultimate summer album that invokes warm summer evenings or hot days at the beach...
If you wanted the ultimate great road-trip album, that you can sing along too with a Pacific Reggae groove...

then look no further, do yourself a favour...get this album...

cheers

Fat Freddy's Drop is one of a slew of talented New Zealand-based bands merging electronica, dub, reggae, and other styles into a particular Pacific Island sound. Joe Dukie (Dallas Tamaira) is one of the leaders of this treasure trove of sonic delights, which I discovered on a trip to the North Island a few years back. Also well worth checking out, but a bit hard to find are Salmonella Dub (gotta love that name), Rhian Sheehan, Black Seeds, and Trinity Roots, among others. "Based on a True Story" is laid back, funky, roots reggae that will leave you tapping your toes and groovin'... Most songs take some time to build momentum, unfortunate perhaps in today's "5 second" soundbite world, but rewarding to the patient listener. Standout tracks are Cay's Crays, Flashback, Ernie, Del Fuego, and the FFD classic Hope.

Absolutly no doubt in my opinion. Fat Freddy's are one the the best truly origional bands in the world right now and i thank may lucky starts for stumbling across them. There music is soulful, heavily basey, and of a dub/reggae style that smells or New Zealand music of the moment. At the same time there live performances are insanly good (i hear, cos i missed the UK tour) Do yourself a favour and pick this ablum up. You may listen to it a couple of times before you start to understand the lyrics and what the music is about but when you begin to hear the musical talent properly you'll probably see your money has gone to a great band and to a even greater cause of helping origional bands keep on creating orgional music. I cant put this album more highly in my musical estimations!

Adam

Wow. I really love these guys. It's my new favorite CD - can't get enough! Great with a glass of wine, great to clean house with, great to listen to any time! I wish I could see them live..I think that would just about do it for me! Can't wait until more is on the way...But It Now!