- Label
- Universal
- Release date
- 28th April 2008
- Genre
- Funk / pop
- Buy this album
- Order CD
The LA-based Australian behind Black And Gold pans for modern soul nuggets
Black And Gold has much in common with Gnarls Barkley's Crazy. Both landed at the top of the charts as if from nowhere and weave a magic formula of retro soul with lyrics from the psychiatric ward, a powerful soul voice and some killer tunes. To look at young Sparro – pale with a foppish Oxbridge fringe - you'd never expect him to croon like a young Seal (the 80s icon, not the beleaguered mammal) but his talent also stretches to a confident synthetic retooling of classic funk.
On occasion the album is heavy on too-cool-for-school filler and songs where the tune is seemingly abandoned in favour of slap bass. But when all is aligned (lyric + funk + that voice + melody) there's plenty to suggest Sparro will last beyond his megahit. 21st Century Life ticks all the right pop boxes, Cottonmouth a studied grind made for a scorching hot summer's day and Pocket a fabulously defiant pop anthem.
As a well filleted download it's genius - as an album it's a bit of a slog.
More to try: Gnarls Barkley: The Odd Couple David Jordan: Set The Mood Prince: Around The World In A Day John Oates: Funk Shui
