If you've not come across The Baker Brothers yet, hopefully you will do soon. They've already released three 7"s, a ten track album and a 12" featuring remixes by Quantic and Break Reform. The new album was recorded live last October at the Jazz Café and on the basis of Sunday night's performance; this is certainly an environment they thrive in.

The DJ warmed the crowd up with the likes of Alice Russell, Anne Sexton and Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings (you get the idea). The flyer said of The Baker Brothers, "Funky, jazzy, even a bit punk in places". A set list of 21 tunes was always ambitious in this packed cellar as the pace, energy, heat and 'good time' vibe was just too much to cram them all in.

They started with 'Chester's Tongue' and it's easy to see why they've been described as 'the Motorhead of funk'. The band are Chris Pedley (bass and vocals), Dan Baker (guitar and keyboards), Rich Baker (drums and vocals) and were joined by a trio of Steve Bray on percussion, Dave Price (trumpet) and Paul (tenor sax) to give the live sound that added funky depth.

'Tighten Up' is a new song and features Rich on vocals but it was their older material that sounded so tight that they could give themselves a collective hernia; particularly 'Who Killed The Southbarrow Peacock?', 'Peace Of Mind', 'Ziggifried', 'Barrington's Groove' and 'Givson'.

Their first releases were on ARSE Records (Avid Records Sound Experience) and they've since moved onto Peddler. The first release on the new label was 'Don't Turn Your Back On Me' and like the record, they were joined on stage by guest vocalist Nathan Johnson. The American did a particularly over the top performance including hanging from the ceiling like an imitation of a Sloth whilst singing into the mike and climaxed by stage driving.

After that the crowd went mad. During the next, 'Super 8' they even pogoed! The set ended at 1am after an hour and a half with some super funky encores favourites, 'Ready...Aim...' and 'Argh argh argh'.

The influences range from Average White Band to Ramsey Lewis. Dan's guitar ranges from rockin' to George Bensonesque whilst on keyboards there's a touch of Joe Sample and JTQ. Chris' bass playing is blistering and his vocals sometimes edge towards a Sting sound. Rich's drumming is totally energetic.

This was the album launch party and the following night, they were playing at the Best Kept Secret Birthday Party. They've previously toured Japan with Will Quantic and will play Glastonbury this year. That flyer also said, "The Baker Brothers give whatever is required from them to get the joint moving and make sure everyone has a good time". They certainly do.

Links:
The Baker Brothers Album Launch Party, Sunday 29 May 2005 - Bank Holiday Weekend @ The Consortium www.consortium-uk.com
Open Mic' Night (second Wednesday of every month) hosted by The Baker Brothers and Steve Bray. Musicians are invited on stage to play with the band. Penn Bar, Penn Hill Avenue, Parkstone, Poole www.pennnow.co.uk
AVID Records, Bournemouth & Oxford
Jazz Café

Back Catologue:
Remixed (Cat. No. PDLR002)
Don't turn your back (feat Nathan Johnson), Givson (Jon Kennedy remix), Little Suns (Break Reform remix) & Green Goddess (Quantic Soul Orchestra remix)
All Baked Out / Piece Of Mind (Cat. No. PDLR001)
10 Paces (BIGARSE01): Ready..Aim, Givson, Chester's Tongue, Little Suns, Green Goddess, Ziggifried, Maid Of Mars, Breathing In.
Maid Of Mars / Paste (ARSE 001)
Barrington's Groove / Ready...Aim... (ARSE 002)
Aargh, Aargh, Aagrh / Who Killed The Southbarrow Peacock? (ARSE 003)