Review: The Haggis Horns – Stand Up For Love
If you’re new to the name it doesn’t mean you ain’t heard of ’em. Long regarded for their tighter-than-tight sound, the much sought after funk for hire Haggis Horns have worked with the likes Mark Ronson, Corinne Bailey Rae, Amy Winehouse, Martha Reeves, Jamiroquai, John Legend & The Roots, & The Cinematic Orchestra. Two years after the excellent “One of These Days” the Leeds based collective has swollen to an 8 piece that’s released their 5th “album “Stand Up For Love” on the Haggis Records label.
Basing themselves on classic 70’s soul & funk, the comparisons have ranged from Kool & The Gang, The JB’s to The Meters and Sly & The Family Stone. Personally I would I would throw in Maze and Earth Wind & Fire into the mix as well. Released on at the end of May, “Stand Up For Love” is going to sizzle over the summer and warm us in the winter.
“Don’t give a damn” is as good an opener that you could expect; the brass and guitars lifting you to your feet with John McCallum’s vocals driving it along. AND talking of driving “Haggis Express” hits like a runaway train, guitars growl, brass is in the engine, just turn the keys and you’re off. Like the colossal “Enter the Haggis” from the Hot Damn album it’s a solid piece of funk instrumental that puts the listener smack bang in their own 70’s TV Cop Show. “Suzi traffic” and “Give it Up” are slabs of good times jazz funk and “Stand up for love” takes the Caribbean route with a well-timed plea for unity. “Burnin” as the name suggests is so hot that by the end you are either dancing, playing in the air horn section or checking your pulse.
This piece of haggis isn’t an acquired taste, everyone should be trying it.
Available on Haggis Records LP, CD & Digital.
Review by Steve.
