The Bank - Europa Center (CD, Ambassador's Reception, 2014)
Italian funk & afro disco. I guess that's enough to grab your attention! The Bank is a guitar/bass/drums trio originating from Bologna. 'Europa Center' is their second album, closer to what the band does on stage than on their previous effort 'Upper Class', sounding like a perfect calling card for a non-expensive live band aiming for clubs and private parties. It's a very interesting blend of rock, raw funk and disco vibes, with afro-influenced bass, drums & percussion, but still very European. With their minimal melodies and loop structures, one can feel the guys have been listening to house music and all the nu-disco scene, before adapting those influences to the funk/rock context of a power trio, who fell in love with afrofunk and afrodisco rhythms. The album still misses a proper song though, all the tunes being mainly cooked with hooks and solos, but it would be interesting to ask them to try their chops on some soulful a cappella…
The Bank - Europa Center
(CD) Ambassador's Reception ABR014, 2014-11-17
Tracklisting :
01. The King Of Stones 3:19
02. Free Keys 2:49
03. Shake It Like A Zombie 4:45
04. Dive Bar 3:59
05. Prinzlauaberg Am Sonntag 4:03
06. Berliner 4:13
07. an Francisco 4:00
08. 1989 3:59
Links :
Buy on bandcamp
The Bank : official | bandcamp | facebook | juno | soundcloud | twitter | youtube
Ambassador's Reception : official | discogs | facebook | juno
Press Release :
The Bank are becoming more and more known for their eclectic mix of funk and Afro disco with a raw live edge. The band's second album "Europa Center" has recently been released clearly influenced by the spirit of their live show and funk background. Dirty and raw, "Europa Center" has The Bank's fans old and new alike saying it may just be their best work yet.
October 6, 2014 (Ambassador's Reception)
Raw sounds of honest funk, African-influenced bass and drums that could make just about anyone have to get up and dance, and zombies. Yes, zombies. That's what The Bank have offered the world with their second studio album "Europa Center" and this interesting eclectic mix makes perfect sense for music lovers who love to have a good time. Just ask their growing legion of fans.
"While we loved our first album, it was a step away from what we do live," commented Francesco drummer of the band. "Berlin, where we recorded, was a great experience and that not only inspired the themes we've explored on our new album, but also our keeping true to our rugged and raw live show too."
"The King Of Stones" sounds like if the Meters had Tony Allen on Drums while "Strings On Fire" could easily be the soundtrack to the Stuntman Mike Chase scene in Tarantino's Grind House. "San Francisco" is raw, dirty and groovy with the bonus of Jones's vocals that also appear on "Shake It Like A Zombie" . "1989″ it's a funky number with a break down that screams to be sampled.
Europa Center captures that live spirit perfectly. All together 8 tracks were recorded as long jams at the Templeton Studio in Berlin and mastered by Mike Marsh, that name himself "the fourth Bank", at the acclaimed London Exchange. In addition to the regular lineup of The Bank, long time friend and tour mate Jeff Jones from the Jeff Jones Band also makes an appearance on vocals.
If you loved the first album but love the band live most of all you should not miss Europa Center.
The Bank - Europa Center
(CD) Ambassador's Reception ABR014, 2014-11-17
Tracklisting :
01. The King Of Stones 3:19
02. Free Keys 2:49
03. Shake It Like A Zombie 4:45
04. Dive Bar 3:59
05. Prinzlauaberg Am Sonntag 4:03
06. Berliner 4:13
07. an Francisco 4:00
08. 1989 3:59
Links :
Buy on bandcamp
The Bank : official | bandcamp | facebook | juno | soundcloud | twitter | youtube
Ambassador's Reception : official | discogs | facebook | juno
Press Release :
The Bank are becoming more and more known for their eclectic mix of funk and Afro disco with a raw live edge. The band's second album "Europa Center" has recently been released clearly influenced by the spirit of their live show and funk background. Dirty and raw, "Europa Center" has The Bank's fans old and new alike saying it may just be their best work yet.
October 6, 2014 (Ambassador's Reception)
Raw sounds of honest funk, African-influenced bass and drums that could make just about anyone have to get up and dance, and zombies. Yes, zombies. That's what The Bank have offered the world with their second studio album "Europa Center" and this interesting eclectic mix makes perfect sense for music lovers who love to have a good time. Just ask their growing legion of fans.
"While we loved our first album, it was a step away from what we do live," commented Francesco drummer of the band. "Berlin, where we recorded, was a great experience and that not only inspired the themes we've explored on our new album, but also our keeping true to our rugged and raw live show too."
"The King Of Stones" sounds like if the Meters had Tony Allen on Drums while "Strings On Fire" could easily be the soundtrack to the Stuntman Mike Chase scene in Tarantino's Grind House. "San Francisco" is raw, dirty and groovy with the bonus of Jones's vocals that also appear on "Shake It Like A Zombie" . "1989″ it's a funky number with a break down that screams to be sampled.
Europa Center captures that live spirit perfectly. All together 8 tracks were recorded as long jams at the Templeton Studio in Berlin and mastered by Mike Marsh, that name himself "the fourth Bank", at the acclaimed London Exchange. In addition to the regular lineup of The Bank, long time friend and tour mate Jeff Jones from the Jeff Jones Band also makes an appearance on vocals.
If you loved the first album but love the band live most of all you should not miss Europa Center.
Original post on Paris DJs