The Bloom

EP - Rinsing Boots

Play 90 second soundbite of 'Soup' @ 'CD quality'

'Rinsing Boots' is the debut EP release from North London indie-rock funksters The Bloom. Unashamedly funked up toons which occasionally harp back to the soulful grooves of Booker T & The MG's. Opposed to the 'only slightly' retro feel The Bloom add their own personalities and totally contemporary signature to four tracks here; 'Soup', 'Bless The Funk', 'Aphrodesia' and 'Mind Those Busy Roads'.

The gritty vocals ride majestically over the awesome keyboards, choppy guitars and superbly tight and effective bass and drums. Synthed horns add to the Memphis soul backdrop and keep momentum high. There's some great, but never over-done, instrumental breaks dotted around; 'Mind Those Busy Roads' particularly grabbed my attention with its excellent keys play-out. The Bloom stick very much to their own inspirations and strengths. And, I'm happy to add, they never try to copy or sound like JK and his excellent but somewhat predictable musical outings.

The Bloom appear to have their own original style within the funk genre. They utilise the oddly charismatic vocal attributes of bassman Nick Majer to the 'n'th degree. Keys virtuoso, Jim Harman, is superb throughout; whether its simple jazzy piano or blaring synthesised 'horns', he's spot on. Matt Grout and Chris Pigott supply the busy but carefully interlaced guitars around the persuasive percussion work of Kev Lanzon. The obvious individual talents of The Bloom are never allowed to take over; their works are skilfully crafted to bring out the best in each other which results in an extremely tight and efficient sounding unit.

'Rinsing Boots', although heavily funked-up, cleverly ventures into other genre territories whilst retaining an overall funky/dance vibe. Impressive and innovative!!

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