Fat Freddy's Drop – Based On A True Story

I was first introduced to Fat Freddy's Drop by a track of theirs on a Jazzanova remix album -- no better introduction, I assure you. They themselves as a "dub funk jam band," and their debut album, _Based on a True Story_, certainly soaks in the dub magic: the reverb, the syncopated beats, the laconic vocals. "This Room" starts off with some tichy percussion, while "Ray Ray" indulges the ultra-chill side of things, dipping a toe into R&B before segueing into an arch, stripped-down dub. This musical bait-and-switch happens again with "Dark Days," which start off almost folksy before it begins to bop along. I wonder how much of this morphing is a result of their jam band philosophy? In any case, it keeps the tracks interesting. The female vocals on "Roady" add an exciting dash of texture, while "Del Fuego" doesn't exhibit much fire, but instead opts for more introspection. And "Hope" rounds out the album on that same mellow note, touching on gospel elements with its lingering Rhodes chords.