Janice Graham Band are a four-piece band hailing from the musical hotpot of Manchester, the band mix and match funk, ska, hip-hop, post punk and garage to create a unique and intoxicating sound that has already received plaudits from such heavy weights in the music world as Mani (Primal Scream/Stone Roses) and Clint Boon (XFM) among others.
Since the band’s formation they’ve already performed at this years Isle Of Wight Festival along with securing high profile support slots with the likes of Little Barrie, Kid British and Madness among others. The energetic and original sound has found the ears of the acclaimed Acid Jazz Records, who are currently working on the bands debut, which is set to be unleashed early next year, the long player is set to be something of a concept around love, life, sex and death. Set around one man’s descent into a hedonistic descent towards darkness, self-destruction and ultimately Murder.
The aptly titled Murder is the first taster of the aforementioned full length album and all I can say is wow what a stunning statement of intent, the band lay down a thick, dirty ska bounce complete with a dub like elastic bassline, a subtlibly dark yet infectious vocal, a brilliant trumpet breakdown and the most addictive chorus I’ve heard in a long whilst. Murder is dark, brooding and yet ever so bouncy.
The B-side, Assassiner, cleverly lifts the bass from Murder but showcases the band’s hip-hop influece as lead singer Joe Jones delivers a contagious Manc tinged rap, whilst the band create an intriguing and addictive backdrop.
As introductions go, Murder by Janice Graham Band is pretty damn perfect, the two tracks leave you desperately wanting more, needing to here what else the band manage to stir into the delicious musical stew that’s already evident here. If the band manage to continue in this vein the full length album is set to be very special indeed.
Rhythm & Booze Rating 10
www.janicegrahamband.com