Martha High At Juno Download

Review: Speedometer are an acclaimed UK band who describe themselves as being a 'funk behemoth'. Judging by the pedigree of artists that they've collaborated with - Eddie Bo, Sharon Jones, Billy Wooten, Sir Joe Quartermain and more - you can see their point. The latest legend to get involved with the guys is veteran soul icon Martha High, formerly of James Brown's band and more recently, Maceo Parker's chief vocalist. Having recently toured with the band, they now return the favour with bandleader Leigh Gracie producing a brand new studio album for Martha called Soul Overdue. Here we have two tracks from the LP, the first of which "I'd Rather Go Blind", is an authentic take on the late Etta James' mournful ballad. Up next is a lively re-working of soul classic "No More Heartaches" that's so well done, it sounds like it's beaming in directly from the mid '60s. Top that Austin Powers!

Review: A veteran soul singer of James Brown and Maceo Parker fame, Martha High has been riding er, high, again of late thanks to her work with top British R&B revivalists, Speedometer. Bandleader Leigh Gracie has now produced this new studio album for Martha and it's just what their fans are expecting: 11 tracks of vintage-tinged, retro soul and funk. Highlights include the total brass-fest of "Never, Never Love A Married Man", the bright and breezy cover of "Sunny" and her acclaimed take on the late Etta James' mournful ballad, "I'd Rather Go Blind".

Review: Of all of the revivalist modern funk bands around right now, Speedometer are without doubt one of the best. Since the early noughties they've provided soul and funk heads with a string of essential singles and long players. The two tracks showcased here are amongst their best, too. Taken from the 2010 album The Shakedown, they offer authentic dancefloor thrills from a bygone age. "The Shakedown (Say Yeah)", featuring Martha High (replacing Speedometer regular Rita Currie) is a riotous concoction that should get even the most ashen-faced cynics going wild on the 'floor. "Dragging Me Down", meanwhile, drops the tempo and adds some wild Hammond organs, but it's no less incendiary. Fire in the hole!