Hustle (Dig)

G. Love & Special Sauce, G. Love | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 24, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Umvd Labels
• ASIN: B0002O09OQ
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,633 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Along with spiritual brother and surf buddy Jack Johnson, Garret "G. Love" Dutton has quietly but reliably lead a campaign for laidback but funky blues and R&B- inspired folk music. Now recording for Johnson's Brushfire label, the Philadelphia native stays tactfully on course for The Hustle, moving through the expected ballads ("Loving Me"), reggae-lite jams ("Give It to You"), and saucy BBQ anthems ("Booty Call"). It may prove disappointing to some fans that have been waiting for Love to truly stretch out the sound he debuted over 10 years ago, but it's a minor gripe. There's no faulting consistency. --Aidin Vaziri

Product Description

Australian edition of 2004 album includes a bonus four-track disc, 'Kickin' Back', 'Amy', 'Ain't That Right' and 'Windshield Wiper No.1'. G. Love and his band 'Special Sauce' buried the rule book when their debut arrived in 1994 - blending Delta Blues, Honky Tonk, Raw Soul, Reggae and Beastie's era rap into a truly unique sound. His laid back combination of these styles - led by his bluesy guitar and harmonica and love of surf culture saw him become a pioneer in the whole movement. Jack Johnson and Donavon Frankenreiter (now friends and collaborators) were regulars at his early shows and have obviously taken several pages from G. Love's book with their approach to the good groove. Produced by G. Love, Mario Caldato Jr and Jack Johnson and features performances by Jack Johnson, Kool G Murder (Eels) and Money Mark. Universal. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This One's a Keeper, January 12, 2005

By 

Grunt Hog (Vancouver, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hustle (Dig) (Audio CD)

Ah, it's good to see G. Love back in top form. After the extreme suckage of "The Electric Mile" I was seriously concerned that it was all over. Happily, however, I am able forgive G. Love for that little misstep after hearing "The Hustle." Here he gets the mix of feel-good soulful blues, rap, and funk just right, with Special Sauce's trademark jazzy arrangements sounding as loose as ever. Excellent effort, guys; keep up the good work! I'll stop complaining about the Electric Mile if you keep putting out albums like this one. Deal?

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still got 'sauce' ..., January 13, 2005

By 

youseff (Atlanta) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hustle (Dig) (Audio CD)

i was dragged to a concert back in the early 90's in a small bar in DC, and this guy gets up and starts wailing on his harmonica. there must have been less than 100 of us in this place, and he hooked all of us from his first note. i've been a g-love believer ever since (and admitting a minor slip with "electric mile", but he had enough behind him to overlook it), and this album does not stray. we played it through the first time and can honestly say that i didn't want it to end. the production is top-rate, and every song on this album shows why he has such staying power. he refuses to slide into the mainstream while staying true to his unique sound and style, and this album can count as one of his best.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rapping Blues, December 14, 2005

By 

Justin Mclaughlin (Minturn, CO United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hustle (Dig) (Audio CD)

For those of you already acquainted with G Love and Special Sauce I say this: this album fits in with his previous work. Lyrically and stylistically the songs are closest to Philadelphonic - and he even closes with a solo acoustic blues song very similar to "Gimme some Lov'n." For those who are G Love fans and enjoy his past work, this record will not disappoint.

Now to address those of you who aren't familiar with this music. My argument in favor of G Love's music is this. G Love has come along and somehow managed to incorporate elements of so many styles: rock and roll, funk, blues, jazz, folk, and - hip-hop. His records are hard to classify, but so what. When he rips into a harmonica solo (as he does often on this record) you feel you could be listening to Howling Wolf. The first track (astronaut) sounds a bit like Lenny Kravitz. But beware: the second tune is more hip-hop infused. I would say the music is a perfect hybrid for our modern times.

G Love and Special sauce are three people. G-love plays the electric guitar, acoustic guitar, slide-guitar, and harmonica. There is a jazz bassist who adds heavily to the band's sound, adding to the rhythm and often pushing the melody as well. The drummer has a busy sound, one that often sets the backdrop for G Love's raps. On this record there are plenty of other musicians to fill out the texture, from backup singers to pianos. My only G Love complaint on this record is his lyrics - they are limited to hooking up with some chick, being stoned, or talk abstractly about "love." I know it's his name and all, but he would be better served expanding his lyrics occasionally to say something different or more important.