The Groove Krewe feat. Nick Daniels III
By Mike O’Cull
The Groove Krewe, featuring Nick Daniels III from Dumpstaphunk, drops a ton of seriously funky New Orleans R&B all over their new release Run To Daylight. The set is available now thanks to SBS Sound Business Services, LLC and delivers the kind of deep pocketed, big voiced funk and soul experience that could only come from The Crescent City.
The group is run by South Louisiana masterminds Rex Pearce and Dale Murray, who are both top musicians, producers, and songwriters who have seen their original songs find homes in films, on national TV, and on the radio. For this project that features lights-out vocalist and bassist Nick Daniels III of Dumpstaphunk, Pearce and Murray assembled an agile and talented bunch of Louisiana’s best players and dubbed them The Groove Krewe for reasons that will become obvious once you start listening. The sessions went down at Techno Sound Studios in Baton Rouge with Grammy-nominated engineer Nelson Blanchard at the board and were mixed in New Orleans by Grammy Award winner David Farrell.
Daniels is an absolute monster of a musician with a strong, soul-drenched voice and bass chops that have led him to gigs with The Neville Brothers, Uptown All-Stars, Zachary Richard, The Wild Magnolia Indians, Allen Toussaint, and Etta James. With Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Daniels has played major venues across the USA and opened for The Dave Matthews Band and The Rolling Stones. He has more than earned his place in the firmament of New Orleans music and brings a lot to this particular party. The Groove Krewe lineup of drummer Eddie Bayers, percussionist Nelson Blanchard, lead guitarist Jonathon “Boogie” Long, rhythm guitarist Rex Pearce, keyboardist Nelson Blanchard, and the horn section of Jason Parfait and Ian Smith completes the picture and puts out nothing but horsepower on every tune here.
The record kicks off with its title song and lead single “Run To Daylight.” The cut is a blues-based funk workout that’s driven by Daniels’ big vocal tone and super-funky bass lines. Between those extremes, the horns kick and blast, the guitars slice and scream, and the drums supply one heck of a heartbeat. Daniels’ sonic presence on the lead vocal mic is undeniable and he has the tight phrasing and strong belt needed to surf on top of this mighty band with style and grace.
“That’s New Orleans” is another rump-shaking funk track that extols the virtues of life in The Big Easy and the people who make the city what it is. When you hear it, you’ll start thinking about getting yourself back down there and diving into the Louisiana lifestyle. Daniels’ bass work is especially important to this song and he provides much of its authentic feel.
The Groove Krewe shifts into a delectable 70s soul vibration on the kinetic “Have A Party.” It’s one of those happy, dance-til-you-drop songs that sends spirits soaring and makes this world worth living in. It’s slick, upbeat, and nothing but fun. Daniels turns in perhaps his strongest vocal performance of the album on this amazing track, filling center stage with his life-affirming magic. If this one doesn’t get you out of your seat, please seek medical attention.
The shuffling “Sweet Situation” is another spotlight for Daniels’ fine bass playing and his lines are beyond reproach. He powers through this dance floor track like a hurricane and takes us along for the ride. Backed by The Groove Krew, he seems to be able to rock the joint at will and makes everything he touches come to life. Other must-hear highlights on the record include “I’m Gonna Prove My Love” and “Raising Cane On The Bayou.” Run To Daylight is a wildly-entertaining set that’s here to shake your bones all summer long. Don’t miss a second of it.
Listen to “In The Groove Zone (feat. Nick Daniels III)”
He didn’t play bass on some of these songs you mentioned