I’ve never reviewed a single before, but this little three-song release is a sweet slice of country soul (or is that soul country?) from Australia. Of course it’s on Australia’s premier indie soul label Hope Street, home of my favorite instrumental soul-jazz big band The Cactus Channel.
The Meltdown is helmed by Simon Burke, the outfit’s songwriter and singer, in collaboration with arranger Lachlan McLean, who also plays baritone sax as part of a three-horn section rounded out by Eamon Mcnelis on trumpet and Anton Delecca on tenor. Add a solid rhythm section (Michael Meagher on bass and Hugh Harvey on drums) and sweet backup vocals from Hailey Cramer and Chantal Mitvalsky, and you’ve got a show.
Burke has a melow tenor and a soulful, bluesy delivery, and when he hits the mark with the song’s title “Better Days” at the end of the first verse of this single’s A side, and the horn section eases into its chart and Hailey and Chantal do their call-and-response thing — well, it’s about as sweet a musical moment as I’ve heard in some time. But don’t take my word for it:
The flip side “Sweet Water” adds Burke’s electric piano and Hammond organ to the mix, while McLean’s baritone plays deep counterpoint to the other horns. A truly great arrangement, laid-back but always pushing forward with longing. The third track “Such A Fool” has a rock-steady sound from its strong downbeat, abetted by Meagher’s funky bassline, and McLean takes a goosebump-raising bari sax solo on this one.
You can order the single, or stream all three songs at the label’s website.
Hope Street, 2015
