Kin, The: Rondo Sessions Volume I

Wow! I was surprised to receive this album in the mail. But I'm so glad that I did. This is the first true album with a 2011 release date that I've received.

Sometimes you just know when an album is gonna be good! That's exactly how you feel after "Black is the Color" kicks this one off. The sound and impressions are incredible. If this is your first time hearing the band, like me, then you will probably think, as I did, that you are hearing a young Sting. Both the vocal and the music sound like something he might have done with this classic. The soft patted drums are fantastic. The keys and guitars make this the best song on the album.

The Tom Waits classic "Chocolate Jesus" is well preformed. Hard to compete with Tom and his ability to create a mood, but they do a good job. They needed a little of that New Orleans piano and thump, like Joe Bonamassa did with Jockey Full of Bourbon. The washboard effect is cool though.

"Coming Home" has a cool beat and plenty of rhythm. Jazzy and danceable.

"Feeling Good" will have you feeling good too. Their take on this classic has a lot of keys and synths and sounds very electric.

Another one of the best songs on the album is the classic "You Don't Know What Love Is". The piano and that Sting sounding voice is a great match.

Been talking about Sting a lot, so why not cover a song he also covered. "Lonesome Old Town" is one of those songs. The upbeat tempo and drums make this so much fun despite the lyrics. The kazoo and bells really add to the flavor.

"In the Dark" will take you back a ways to early jazz. Great music well performed.

How do you improve on a song which has been covered so many times? Well, they did it with the Cy Coleman classic "Witchcraft", by adding a few new twists. The bluesy guitar, mean streak drums and bass give it an even darker side than the lyrics intend. Another of the best songs on the album.

"How High the Moon" opens with cool guitars and percussion. You'd never know this was once sung by Ella Fitzgerald and Gloria Gaynor. The drums are excellent. A very good interpretation of this classic. The bass is excellent and turns this into a rock song.

Easily, the second best song on the album is "Who is He (and What is He to You)?". This has a funky Bozz Scaggs, Black Keys sound to it, until it stops and slows down to an almost Tom Waits beat, then picks up again. The keyboard effects and synth backup is tremendous. The organ lights this one up well.

Nina Simone's song, "Real Real", is a whole lotta fun to end the album with and leave you with your feet tapping.

Great interpretations of some classics. Highly recommended!

Track Listing:

1. Black is the Color (of My True Love's Hair)
2. Chocolate Jesus
3. Coming Home
4. Feeling Good
5. You Don't Know What Love Is
6. Lonesome Old Town
7. In the Dark
8. Witchcraft
9. How High the Moon
10. Who is He (and What is He to You)?
11. Real Real

Added: January 30th 2011
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 2011
Language: english

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