The odd thing about Down To The Bone, which seperates them from most bands, is that their mastermind Stuart Wade actually can’t be heard on DTTB’s songs like in playing an instruments that you hear. Although he’s featured on background vocals on two tracks this time. But Stuart’s input mustn’t be neglected either since he (co-)writes DTTB’s songs and is responsible for the overall production and arrangements. Spread Love Like Wildfire is their sixth album and the second for Narada Jazz. Those who listen to music for ages (like myself) will certainly know DTTB since their first album From Manhattan To Staten in 1996 on the UK label Internal Bass Records. Two other albums for Internal Bass followed and in 2002 DTTB appeared on GRP/Verve with Crazy Vibes And Things. Two years later they were with Narada and released Cellar Funk.
In these times and ages of one hit wonders DTTB may already be called a veteran band that has build up a solid fanbase over the years. And on their new album their sound is fresher, funkier and more vigorous than ever.
This time the emphasis is on the horn section with the M.J.R. Horns [Mike Kearsey (trombone), Jon Scott (trumpet) and Richard Wargent (sax)] dominating the music. By the way, Richard Wargent was also part of another Internal Bass group, The NFL Horns Project. His musical partner from the NFL Horns Project, Richard Sadler, can be heard on Spread Love Like Wildfire on bass and percussion.
“A lot of my influences come from the Jazz/Funk , Jazz/Fusion era of the 60’s and 70’s and I hope I have been able to show this , once again , on this album. Hopefully people will also hear my love of some of the ‘Blaxploitation’ soundtracks of that era and ,of course, the Brazilian/samba influences , that I love so much.” says Stuart Wade.
The first two songs already show that Stuart has accomplished his mission. Just listen to the album’s opener Memphis Groove with guest musician Jeremy Steig on flute. This is a damn funky tune and a great tribute to Herbie Mann’s Memphis Two-Step and Memphis Underground.
Mystic Samba combines the best of both worlds with adding a Brazilian touch to a funky groove.
While DTTB’s music is basically instrumental, Stuart began inviting guest vocalists since the Crazy Vibes And Things album (My One And All with Hil St. Soul and The Flow with Flora Purim on the Cellar Funk album). This time N’Dambi joins DTTB for Angel Baby, a mesmerizing song that shows new dimensions of N’Dambi and DTTB.
Grace Ackroyd is another featured vocalist here. Although she just sings lalala, bahbahbah and doodoodoo on Wildfire Woman (it sounds sillier written down than it sounds in the song) it’s just that (and of course Jeremy Steig on flute again plus Neil Cowley on Hammond B3 organ) what makes this song perfect for any old blaxploitation soundtrack.
There are much more songs, that’ll see you shaking your hips or whatever parts of your body you like to shake while dancing at home, like Gotta Get Back To You with its fine Rhodes solo by Neil Cowley or the driving Latin Sagebrush.
The good thing about Spread Love Like Wildfire is its sheer musicality and overall quality and the fact that DTTB’s music has indeed evolved into a edgier sound. The bad thing is the covershot. All previous covers looked great and you might even wanted to put a larger version on your wall but this time it looks rather meaningless like something I would expect gracing a cheap compilation of the hottest dance tracks ever. I guess the old proverb not to judge a record by its cover couldn’t be truer.

Tracklisting of Spread Love Like Wildfire: 1. Memphis Groove/ 2. Mystic Samba/ 3. Tiburon/ 4. Angel Baby/ 5. Pure Funk/ 6. Hammerhead/ 7. Wildfire Woman/ 8. Gotta Get Back To You/ 9. Lightning Rod/ 10. London Life/ 11. Latin Sagebrush | released 2005 Narada Jazz

For more infos visit downtothebone.com and narada.com.

[If you want to discuss Down To The Bone’s music, you can leave your comment below and also use the forum]