G. Love - The Hustle

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 Amazon.com

Makes my world soulful and perfect just to hear him play

Driving down the road, pull into my driveway, feeling peaceful and all tuned in and turned on by the sounds of sloppy piano and a playful harmonica that laugh at my dancing knee call me out to sip on some lemonade in the back yard watching the kids just kickin back rockin to the tunes swinging in that old tire that uncle say we could have. Yeah, like that. February 10, 2008

Momma says G. is BOSS

FUNKY, Funny, folksy, from Philly...what more could i ask for? Oh yeah, Bluesy! Sounds like me. Ok,so I'm old enough to be Garret's mother.I found the 1994 G.Love and SS CD for $1. at a Flea Mkt recently. I was hooked and went out and bought the rest (retail). Hustle is my fav so far. He incorporates so many different sounds and does it so well. I rock every morning to work w/G. or Jack J (where I first heard of G.) and it's heaven when they're together.

June 3, 2006

Smooth loungin' Hustle

An album full of great beats and chill blues riffs, an excellent addition to anyone's collection of loungin' music January 7, 2006

Rapping Blues

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.
December 14, 2005

G. Love Does Not Disappoint

I have been a fan of G. Love and Special Sauce for several years. While his other albums are great, "The Hustle" has somehow topped all of them. It offers a well rounded listening experience, frequently changing pace throughout the album.

The band hits on all it's strengths in "The Hustle". The strong guitar riff in Astronaut is reminiscent of Cold Beverages, while Back of the Bus is the second coming of Rodeo Clowns.

While other albums such as "Coast to Coast Motel" have a distinctly different sound, "The Hustle" is a compilation of all the band's experimentations. This album exemplifies the versatility that makes G. Love and Special Sauce great. October 27, 2005

More reviews at Amazon.com ...