Artist: CC Smugglers
Release Date: 29th March, 2019
Genre: Americana, Roots
Record Label: Cabin Records / Absolute
Tracks: 13
Website: https://www.ccsmugglers.co.uk
‘How High’ is the highly anticipated debut album from one of the best young Americana and Roots bands in the UK. This six-piece band hailing from across the UK have earned a reputation as a phenomenal live tour-de-force, earning them a well deserved reputation across a multitude of genres.
Their debut album ‘How High’ is well worth the wait. It’s fresh, upbeat, positive, innovative and a highly contagious collection of music.
Like many others the CC Smugglers have been caught in all the current financial issues at Pledge Music. After raising nearly £17K from their loyal fans to crowdfund the album, Pledge has currently not paid them a penny. This has left them in a lot of debt to record and manufacture their album. It is especially sad and frustrating as it’s their debut record. So we are asking for all readers of this review who like the band and their music to buy a copy of their album either directly or from the link below to help them out or support them on their UK tour. I’m sure the guys would really appreciate your support.
CC Smugglers were formed by a young busker frontman Richie Prynne in his early twenties. He soon recruited his childhood friends Dan Edwards, Ryan Thomas and Sam Barrett who spent years honing their craft on the streets of London, Cambridge and Bedford. In later years Manchester based pianist and front man in his own right Tom Seals and Jazz trained drummer Felix Weldon.
The album opening with the wonderful uptempo title track ‘How High’ with it’s classic retro jazz.. On the gospel infused, infectious and toe-tapping ‘Gone So Long’ the band are joined by the Oxford Gospel Events Choir. It has a sing-a-long chorus of the highest order and it’s sure to be a live crowd favourite. The folky bluegrass ‘Well Well Well’ has touches of the Keston Cobblers Club, The Lumineers and Patch and the Giant. The second track featuring the Oxford Gospel Events choir is the big, very positive, reflective and upbeat ‘Smiling’.
These is some wonderful piano arrangements on ‘Jog On’ which reminds me of sme classic Van Morrison. “Just walk walk, don’t ruin our day. If you’ve got nothing nice to say. Turning blue skies grey.……. jog on!. Get lost!…. and just keep walking away”. The nostalgic ‘One More Night’ with it’s great banjo licks looks back at better times in the past when the band were younger. Wishing that they could turn back time. Dedicated to Uncle Geoff. The laid back acoustic guitar lead ‘Life’s A Wave’ is a another track with a very positive message. It has touches of Jack Johnson. With a lovely dobro introduction ‘Sweetheart’ is a tender and reflective song of lost love and trying to move on..
Next up as song which always makes me smile the fast bluegrass ‘Grumpy’. Flying fiddles, driving percussion and Richie soaring vocal all add to the great mix. Trains have always been a firm staple of Americana, Folk and Country music. This next track is dedicated to waiting for a London train. I just love the Honky-Tonk ‘Baker Street 205’ complete with backing vocals from the band and soaring harmonica playing from Richie. Watch out for the excellent guitar solo as well.
The CC Smugglers journey so far with it’s hardships and successes are included in ‘All Night Long’. A tale of a band of brothers working very hard together to share their music. The smooth gypsy jazz violin infused ‘Working Man’ completes their excellent debut. I couldn’t helping thinking ‘The Jungle Book’ for this one, then it explodes in a higher tempo.
But wait there is more…..a hidden bonus track. ‘Standing Of The Street’ which has shades of the much loved Paolo Nutini’s ‘Pencil Full of Lead’. It creates a rich soundscape of a probation era speak easy.
Please order your copy now >>>
