‘Bays’ by Fat Freddy’s Drop (Remote Control Records) is Eastside Radio’s Album of the Week.

This long awaited and critically acclaimed release is the must have for any music enthusiasts playlist that showcases an innovative hybrid of soul, funk and jazz. The album, in part, is the group returning to their roots. Having been recorded in the hallowed halls of the very studio they created the highly successful ‘Blackbird‘ (2013) release, the seven-piece felt right at home to record a new chapter in their collective careers. Bunkering down in the space for 12 long months, the group got reacquainted with each other and gave the record as much time as they could to create a release that embodied where they’ve all come from and the new horizons they were and continue to explore sonically. The group’s vocalist Joe Dukie (Dallas Tamara) says, “It’s been a more creative process writing this album in the studio rather than recording songs which have been well road-tested.” ‘Novak‘ remains the most bluesy of tracks, and in terms of funk there’s ‘Wairunga Blues’ , but what’s most interesting about the release is when the guys band together to amalgamate genre’s in their signature style such as ‘Slings and Arrows’, ’10 Feet Tall’ and ‘Fish in the Sea’. It’s these tracks that shine with a mixture of Dukie’s irreverent vocals and the groups familiar horn section and rhythmic manipulation that we remember once again just why we fell in love with them all those years ago.

Track Listing: