Posted on May 06, 2010 by DJ Chas

Editor’s Note: The UnCool is happy to introduce new Nerd Bird Correspondent, DJ Chas. Please give him a warm welcome. DJ Chas is a Chicago based DJ/Sound Designer. He is infested with a music bug that has no known cure. He limits his reviews here to 45 releases  to minimize the spread of his disease. He also maintains The Parade of Sound, Soul, Funk and Fury which is also decidedly, UnCool.

Get it Together b/w I Am Trying to Break Your Heart by JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound.

That’s right. It’s a 45 review. Believe it or not,you can still buy these delightful 7-inch slabs o’ wax. And not just old ones either, they still produce new ones, albeit in much smaller quantities. They are out there — you just gotta look (might want to skip that local Best Buy).

Two songs. That’s what you get on a 45 and that’s what I’m going to review here.

“Get it Together,” is a sweet funky tune that has a great retro-feel. You’d swear this track could have been on one of those old James Brown’s Funky People compilations. It’s got the soul-shouts, guitar licks, hand claps, and the requisite chant during the breakdown. Funky horns, organ and drums are all there as well. Really solid.

“I Am Trying to Break Your Heart,” is a song you know, but you’ve never heard it like this before. The superlatives showered upon local media darlings Wilco have been many, but one I’ve never heard ascribed to them would be funky. JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound take the beautiful narcotic-like meandering of the original and ratchet up the urgency (along with the bpm) and deliver a soul-stomping gem. It’s a really nice tip of the hat from an up and coming local act to another Chicago band that has achieved legendary status.

Video of B side:

Free download on aolradioblog.

Final Note: JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound will be at the Metro on May 21st. Great live act. Check ‘em out!

9.5 out of 10

– DJ Chas on The UnCool

The UnLive | 45 Review: Get it Together b/w I Am Trying to Break Your Heart9.7107