Crack of Dawn – Spotlight
When Crack
of Dawn released their debut album back in 1976, they weren’t just cutting
another slab of funky vinyl meant to get people shaking to a disco beat. They
were essentially creating the foundation of the modern Canadian R&B scene,
and today their influence can still be felt from one corner of the country to the
next. After an extended hiatus away from the recording industry, the legends of
northern funk – guitarists Carl and Rupert Harvey, vocalist Michael Dunston,
Bela Hajmann on keys, trumpeter Alexis Baro, trombonist Trevor Darley, sax man
Alvin Jones, bassist Charles Sinclair and, of course, drummer Carl Otway – have
reunited with only one intention; reigniting the rhythm for a new generation.
In their brand new album Spotlight, fans of all ages will discover
that Crack of Dawn hasn’t surrendered an ounce of their unparalleled talent in
the years that have passed, but in fact they’ve got even better with time. This
collection of songs are a fantastic addition to the storied history of both a
band and a scene that have never received the attention that they truly
deserved.
Opening the
album with the song “Crack of Dawn” quickly seems like a no-brainer and they’ve
crafted a song worthy of bearing the band’s name. One of the best parts of this
song, for me, is how adeptly they straddle the line between tasteful, artistic
restraint and conveying joyful energy you hear in every bar of the song.
Michael Dunston, the band’s singer, sounds freed in particularly and unleashes
a performance potentially capable of waking coma patients. The opener has a
stronger R&B influence than the two numbers that follow – both “Somebody’s
Watching” and “Booby Ruby” are dyed in the wool funk gems, though the former
softens the approach more than the latter. “Booby Ruby” is an unabashed romp
and Charles Sinclair’s bass pumps in a masterful way throughout the song, yet
never gets self-indulgent or overzealous. “Keep the Faith” flirts with some of
the weaker influences in the band’s wheelhouse, gospel, but never comes across
as religious. Instead, the songwriting uses the musical and lyrical language of
the style for a soulful R&B tune that gives Dunston ample room to explore
his talents.
“Ol’ Skool”
has a cool, relaxed R&B slant and a nice melody largely carried by the
keyboards, but Michael Dunston gives listeners another empathic vocal certainly
showing his mastery of singing R&B material. The funk influences we hear in
earlier songs like “Booby Ruby” are scarcely in evidence on “Ol’ Skool” and the
band shows themselves to be every bit as skilled with R&B trappings. I find
“Seasons’ Change” to be the album’s best song, a note perfect realization of
the band’s R&B sound with meaningful lyrical content Dunston gets across with
feeling. The luxurious unfolding of the song is never rushed and has quite an
effect on listeners. Crack of Dawn closes the album with “Changes”, a lively
R&B tune with an understated funk sound and complimentary backing vocals.
Carl Harvey’s salvos of fiery lead guitar put a bold exclamation point on the
song and it makes for a potent closer. Crack of Dawn’s Spotlight knocks
it out of the park and seems certain to win over a new generation of fans for
the band.
Brian Deppert
