Mango Skin / Gravel Rash reviews

These guys are definitely cooking on 3 Burners -- and with a tasty mix of guitar and Hammond that really burns! "Gravel Rash" bounces with the playful groove of the classic Jack McDuff quartet, in a way that's similar to recent Sugarman 3 work! "Mango Skin" is a sweet groover too -- a bit more heavy in the rhythm department, ala Josie-era Meters -- but as you can guess, that's A-OK with us!

Hailing from Australia, Cookin on 3 Burners kick out only the funkiest Hammond soaked grooves under the spiritual eyes of greats like Jimmy Smith and Jack McDuff. They are the classic trio of drums, Hammond and guitar and make a bigger sound than the sum of their parts. 'Gravel Rash' originally came out on the limited run Oz label Bamboo Shack, whilst Mango Skin is a new cut and just gorgeous. Tight fatback drums pound away with tasty organ licks, pickin' guitar and an overall sound that The Meters would have been proud of. Can Freestyle do no wrong... Pete Isaac

More explosive funk fare on Freestyle's 7" series, this time from Aussie groovers Cookin' On 3 Burners. Lead cut "Gravel Rash" has a Meters-ish swing, with lashings of Hammond organ to get those heads nodding and feet moving. Personally, I1m preferring flipside "Mango Skin", which works better for my dancefloors thanks to some phatter breaks and funkier guitars. It goes without saying, though, that both tracks are excellent. 4/5
Matt Anniss, IDJ