The Explorers Club are an American pop rock band originally from the coast of South Carolina, United States. They feature a rotating cast of musicians led by Jason Brewer.
`Wattage’ is the latest release, a tribute to classic 60s radio that plays out like a show of the time and features eight cover versions along with many guest singers including Chris Price, Lannie Counts, Ryan Williams and Jeff Celentano.
The album kicks off with a kind of into from an imaginedsmall town radio station before we head into a couple of tracks that feature Lannie Counts who hails from Phoenix, Arizona but is a successful singer in Las Vegas. The first number is the wonderful `Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy` a track that is a Northern Soul classic, which is the music and dance movement which originated in the UK based on black American soul music of the sixties. The Tams and Booker T and The MG have covered this track and Lannie`s vocals are a sheer delight. The second number is the soulful `Gimmie Little Sign` a song written and originally performed by Alfred Jesse Smith or Brenton Wood as he was better known. It`s a superbly upbeat version of the initial release.
`I`ve Been Lonely Too Long` features singer Chris Price and was previously a hit for The Young Rascals. Again, it has that stunning retro vibe. I`m sure this number was either in the American crime drama television series The Sopranos or part of it`s soundtrack. We have an Explorers take on `Come Softly To Me` a hit for American vocal group The Fleetwoods. The steady drumbeat, organ refrain and occasional brass tinges allow this to become a charmingly dreamy soundscape.
Jeff Celentano takes the lead on `Hurt So Bad` and delivers a stunningly emotive reimagining of what was a hit for Little Anthony and the Imperials, an American rhythm and blues/soul vocal group from New York. Another song that was covered by The Fleetwoods but also by Thomas Wayne & The Delons is the ballad `Tragedy` and here the band deliver a heart breaking rendition with some glorious backing harmonies and a slight orchestrated feel.
`I`m So Proud` is a number that was originally performed by The Impressions, a smooth soul vocal group formed in Chicago and featuring the wonderful Curtis Mayfield. So, for singer Ryan Williams to take this on was a brave move but I have to say he really knocked it out of the park. He makes it his own with some sublime musicians assisting with a steady drumbeat, piano twinklings, brass snatches and what sounds like a xylophone. The album closes out with `Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever` which again has Lannie Counts on vocals. It was co-written by Stevie Wonder and performed by The Four Tops with Levi Stubbs taking the lead vocal. A number that just shouts Motown. This take is a pretty faithful reworking with a slight modern uplift.
`Wattage` is a masterpiece and I can`t believe that Jason Brewer continues to unearth these long forgotten classics. The guest singers Chris Price, Lannie Counts, Ryan Williams and Jeff Celentano were unknown to me but are undiscovered gems. My only disappointment was the format in which the songs were highlighted. We have a yeast extract here in the UK called marmite and you either love it or loath it so the addition of a feigned radio deejay. adverts, and phone in segments didn`t work for me but i`m sure others will love it.
This album will get a special digital-only release on 24 December 2021 with a full physical release on CD and Vinyl coming in 2022,
Beg, Borrow, or Steal it – this album is phenomenal.
Rating 8.5/10
