Conceived in 2009, Groovy Uncle initially served as a vehicle for Glenn Pragnell’s musical adventures, but has since ballooned into a full-blown band. What hasn’t changed, however, is the British-based artist’s vision, and what a relief that is, considering the quality and excitement piercing Groovy Uncle’s prior projects.
Here on the band’s new album Persuaded (Trouserphonic), the sights and sounds of Swinging Carnaby Street proceed to power the course. But rather than embarking on a nostalgic jaunt through rose-colored glasses, the band stuffs their own gold-spinning spells into the soup, resulting in a disc that alternately celebrates the past, present, and future.
The title track of the album comes in two versions. One is a slinky spy-styled guitar instrumental, while the other take features the electrifying vocals of Miss Modus. Streaked with the crying plea of a harmonica, “Should Have Been Mine” is a smooth and sultry blue-eyed soul number, the kinetic punch of “Barefoot in the Car Park” is a Merseybeat-related raver, and the floor-rocking “I Won’t Be Fooled By You” imparts bossa nova rhythms, baying horns, and radio-informed pop sensibilities to explosive effects.
Weeping violins serenade the situation on the elegant “No Idea,” a moody and introspective mentality crowns the sleepy yet inventively-constructed “Wet Weekend, “Pocket Of Concern” bounces and flounces with determination, and the merry-minted “You Look Good To Me” sits snuggly on a flower pop axis. Plumping their material with brass arrangements, shapely hooks, and zesty choruses, Groovy Uncle plays music that not only soothes and stimulates the spirit, but encourages the listener to shake the body as well.
Ablaze with gravity and clarity, Persuaded plugs in as a priceless portrait of Mod and Northern Soul influences cast in a current attitude. If you’re a fan of folks like the Action, the Spencer Davis Group, the Alan Bown Set, Petula Clark, the Move, and James Bond, then you certainly won’t need to be persuaded to check out this great record.
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