The Budos Band - The Budos Band II

Like the deadly scorpion of the album's cover, The Budos Band's second release, The Budos Band II, creeps stealthily over the hot desert sand. It is with unmistakable purpose that each beat of the music drives forth, one footstep of many to carry the Scorpion toward its meaning. With his tail arched high in readiness, he maneuvers patiently under the scorching desert sun and chooses his prey. He strikes without warning and with out remorse. The venom of his sting, true to its reason; his victim, ever-intoxicated. With its twenty-two legs, three horns, and hallucinogenic venom, The Budos Band (the unheralded emperors of Instrumental Staten Island Afro-Soul) continue to rule. The band commands their listeners to follow them on their second journey into the depths of their poisonous vision. While their debut album was itself heralded as a groundbreaking exploration of funk, afro-beat and soul music, few could predict that their second effort would not only match but surpass the realm of mind-expansion embodied on their first sessions. Through ten exciting new instrumentals recorded live at Daptone's House of Soul in Bushwick, Brooklyn, The Budos Band pours themes at once resonant and ethereal over Herculean rhythms. Standard Jewel Case. Album Description

Better than the first one

The Budos fixed the main problem I had with their first album (being that it was mostly rhythm beds without much melodic interest.) The songs on this album are much tighter and more elaborately crafted. There are horn solos, which were noticeably lacking from the first album. The Band lays down a funky groove and then actually TAKES it somewhere, making the whole album very satisfying to listen to. The mix oozes with faux-retro lo-fi beauty, like the band went back in time to 1970 to record this (how did they get that sound???)

My only complaint - which keeps me from awarding the full 5 stars - is still the organ. This time Mr. Deller has upgraded from whatever sorry piece of junk he was using on the first album, to a vintage Farfisa ... he plays it well, but the Farfisa has a transistorized, electronic, synthy-plastic sound far more suited to psychedelic rock than to afro-beat and soul jazz. In this genre my ear really wants to hear the gutsy, grinding tone of an overdriven Hammond B-series organ. The Farfisa sound (though better than the previous organ) was a poor fit and dragged the mix down from the perfection to which it aspired.

Anyway, that's my opinion. The fact is, the Budos Band gets better every time I listen, and if they keep improving, maybe the third time will be the charm. Please, Budos, try again! I may be a critic but I'm also a fan. These guys are doing stuff I wish I could do. August 9, 2008

in love all over again!

i am a huge fan of the first album. this one is just as good with a different feel. i cant express in words how good this album is. i love it! March 8, 2008

Bring on the funk

A mind blowing album - a tonal tapestry weaved in heart thumping funk, intoxicating soul and hypnotic rhythms. February 6, 2008

A taste of something different

I listen almost entirely to rock or rap (more rock), so this CD doesn't really fit in with the rest of my library. Nevertheless this disc, full of pulsing, driving rhythm, has been in constant rotation. It's not really worth evaluating each song, since they tend to flow into another. Rather, the disc as a whole resonates with a driving energy totally unlike anything that I'd listened to previously. October 2, 2007

Back it up & take a listen.

I buy music almost constantly, but this is the first time I've been prompted to write a review. If you listen to a lot of funk, it can occasionally blend together, sounding too familiar or similar. Sometimes even the good stuff doesn't distinguish itself enough to truly stand apart head and shoulders above the rest.

But the Budos Band's latest offering is just that - aces above the rest. It's a real burner, with more horns than you could ever hope for, sounding wickedly devilish yet bright and ebullient. At times it even sounds like the quality 'Ethiopiques' CD series. Don't sleep on this - you won't be able to STOP listening to it. I enjoyed their first release, but II pushes them into the realm of brilliance. Their take on 'My Girl,' never one of my favorite songs, is stunning. September 14, 2007

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