Album Review: True Loves — Sunday Afternoon
If you have an appreciation for – heck, even an awareness of – the sort of kinetic soul jazz that formed the musical component of late ‘60s and early ‘70s crime film and television, then ohmygoodgracious do I have something to tell you about. True Loves’ Sunday Afternoon is a 21st century answer to that kind of deep-grooving music. This eight-man outfit knows how to lay down a groove and a melody, and they keep the excitement high. You’ll hear this and feel a strong impulse to climb behind the wheel of one of those land yachts from 1972, and head out onto the gritty city streets.
The players are all top-notch; the large group’s lineup includes sax man Skerik, a foundling member of Garage a Trois. This Seattle outfit is more about the ensemble than its impressive individual components; songs like “Did it Again” all but insist that you lift the needle up and give them another spin.
The virtuosity and freedom of jazz, the intensity of soul, the rhythm of rock: they’re all here, and on translucent blue vinyl, no less. An essential purchase, and my personal pick for the best among the uniformly superb albums covered in this, Musoscribe’s first Vinyl Week in some time.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.