Smooth
Dance in the Key of (Bee) Gee is Back
Soft, bare, fluid. Occasional words used when describing smooth. An adjective calling for a certain coolness, it’s calm, soothing, what smooth stands for. Now, envision yourself in the middle of the Jungle. “You know where you are?” Are you seeing smooth yet? Nah, probably not. Allow me to introduce to you a band that’s not Jungle music, but Jungle music. Given the opportunity to rock out with them several weeks back at the Bowery Ballroom, I was transported—in the midst of all the crazy fun, energetic dance—to a funked out 70’s disco Bee Gee jam fest. This is true.
“Still gonna bring the heat.” The first words off the track, “The Heat.” If you’re playing around with this smoothness point, then you know at times smooth and heat don’t necessarily go together. I mean, used in the right context, it should always go together. The Bowery Ballroom proved the right context for Jungle to bring just that though, heat. Wasting no time making the crowd move, steady beats equalled dancing feet, as this London crew surprisingly broke it down. Surprising because I wasn’t expecting that from their version of smooth. They’re subtle, a bit calculating and hit with long bass lines built more for smoking sinsemilla, than for grooving. I stand corrected, they’re built for both.
Building on that dance party vibe, they reminded me of another crew, part Brit, part Aussie, an all Shake and Bake team—the Bee Gee’s. Similar grooves, with all your dancing feet and falsetto high notes to boot, the parallels are clearly evident. Jungle’s set lasted a tad over an hour, but when the lights came on and the people began to clear out, a glowing, sweat filled crowd exited with super wide grins and tired feet. Perfect length for a show, and a solid start.
Jungle’s self titled debut album drops this Tuesday, July 15th. We suggest you cop a record for yourself to put next to those dancing shoes. You’re going to need it.
Writer + Photographer | Rene Ramirez
