CD REVIEW: NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS – A Little Something More From… EP

CD REVIEW: NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS – A Little Something More From… EP
Stax/Caroline
October 2016
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
8 /10

Nathaniel Rateliff turns the rock n’ roll down and the soulful R&B up on this generous 8-track EP of unreleased tracks, which fills the gap between albums whilst they tour the world (including a trip down under early 2017 and a local show at the Chevron Gardens for the Perth International Arts Festival on Friday, 3 March).

Opening with the superbly danceable Parlor and I Did It, Rateliff proves that he has nailed the retro soul man swagger with just the right amount of ragged raunch in his vocals to tousle things up a bit.

The ‘60s soul feel continues through Out On The Weekend (Version 2), The Night Sweats proving masterful at pinning down a groove.

Debut album favourite Wasting Time is captured here live from The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and perfectly illustrates how they magic musical tension into the air and metre it out expertly – no wonder they are such an in-demand live act.

What I Need reeks of Sam Cooke cool, whilst Just To Talk To You takes a left turn into Delta blues territory, before the reflective How To Make Friends and Version 1 of Out On The Weekend – retitled Late Night Party.

Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats are close to the apex of modern retro rock n’ soul, building a formidable reputation fast, off the back of great songs and an incendiary live act. I can’t recommend them highly enough.

Category: CD Reviews