It’s been a rollercoaster year for Sharon Jones, the corrections officer turned soul queen. Her fifth album with the imitable Dap Kings, Give the People What They Want was shelved and touring halted so Jones could turn her attention to battling and ultimately beating cancer which threatened to bring her fairy-tale career to a halt. But 2014 brought with it the good news that Jones treatment was a success and the albums eventual release.
For existing fans of the band Give The People What They Want treads familiar ground, but then one would argue why mess with a winning formula. The 11 piece Dap Kings, led by Bosco Mann sound tighter, more polished and better than ever. Whilst the band’s retro Stax and Motown indebted sound might be anachronistic to some, there’s no denying that those guys can play! Whilst Jones remains every bit the seductive and soulful front-woman she always was.
For all its familiarity Give The People What They Want is a diverse record, a stylish blend of upbeat stompers (Retreat!) and the beautifully mellow (Making Up and Breaking Up); all of which showcases Jones distinctive and evocative vocal. In many ways it’s a bit of party record, tracks like “Retreat!”, “Stranger to my Happiness” and “People Don’t Get What They Deserve” are incredibly fun to listen to, and you can’t help but imagine how great they’d sound live.
Give The People What They Want is a quick injection of funk and soul, with it’s run time of just 34 minutes the record making it a fleeting yet incredibly enjoyable listen. Five albums in, and despite last year’s setback, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings don’t show any signs of slowing down just yet.
Review Score: 8.8 out of 10 
Give The People What They Want is available now.
———-
