It’s always a reason to party when there’s a new band formed to play retro party music but when it’s formed by seasoned practitioners of the form, well, that’s cause for some serious celebration. Organist Robert Walter (Greyboy Allstars), guitarist Eddie Roberts (The New Mastersounds) and drummer Adam Deitch (Lettuce) bring loads of credentials to the table, musicians who could probably excel in just about any form of music. But thankfully, they general favor the feel-good side of soul-jazz and they had finally been able to follow through on some plans to convene and make music together under the letters of their respective last names: WRD.
Their songs came together quickly in two days over one 2018 session and another one in 2019. Recorded live in the studio with mostly single takes, these three understand that you can’t really make music sound like it did 50+ years unless you also play it and record it the way they did back then, too. Out of these recordings came forth The Hit, and it’s an organic distillation of Booker T and the MG’s, James Brown and the Meters. Ballads? GTFO.
Deitch’s James Brown shuffle on a loose snare sends “Judy” (video above) into a funk orbit and Walter along with Roberts are reveling in the pocket left behind. “Sleep Depraved” is high-energy funk and Roberts’ jazzy solo elicits comparisons to late 60s/early 70s Grant Green. And what would turn of the 70s music be without the wah-wah pedal? Roberts combines one with chukka-chukka scratching for “Chum City.”
“Bobby’s Boogaloo” pays tribute to that Latin-based rhythm popular in the 60s and man, Deitch has that rhythm down. “Poison Dart” has a great organ riff that makes it go and Walter is testifyin’ on this song like a champ. Roberts handles most of the lead chores for “Red Sunset” with the zest of early George Benson. “Meditation” starts with that same tough groove as “Mother Popcorn” and Walter and Roberts just take it from there.
For “Hot Honey,” Nick Gerlach guests on tenor sax (he also popped up on “Chum City), making this one of the more soulful numbers of the batch. And “Corner Pocket” is, as advertised, a meeting of three minds deep in that pocket.
The WRD is Robert Walter, Eddie Roberts, Adam Deitch, and though there aren’t any words sung on The Hit, there are bountiful hand-made grooves. The Hit is coming at you April 30, 2021 on Roberts’ Color Red Music label. Pre-order/order from Bandcamp.
- Tonino Miano Trio – ‘Luminary’ (2024) - October 4, 2024
- Thumbscrew – ‘Wingbeats’ (2024) - October 2, 2024
- How Toto Set the Stage for Success With the Overlooked ‘Hydra’ - September 30, 2024
