G. Love & Special Sauce Album: “G. Love & Special Sauce”

G. Love (Garret Dutton) and his band, Special Sauce are a somewhat underrated band from Philly that are emblematic (in the best way possible) of the rare musical amalgamation of folk, blues and hip-hop. G's delightful talent is displayed here on his first cd in a very mellow, summery manner. The singles Cold Beverage (for a brief extant it played on a Coors commercial) and Baby's Got Sauce received moderate success, but really, every song on the album is fun and unique, all capable of being singles. My favorite track is probably This Ain't Living, but I really like every song on the cd. If you're in the mood for some upbeat, relaxed tunes, this is a great buy. It will really please you, and it's one of those cds you can listen to countless times without getting tired of it. G sums things up pretty well on the final song as he croons so simply and sweetly, "I know it sounds old, but I love you."

Hard to top this one. I have been listening to G for nearly a decade now ever since a friend turned me onto them in 95. How dare the Amazon reviewer Geoffrey Himes even compare G-Love to REM or Michael Stipe. There is no connection, and G-Love & Special Sauce has their own very groovy mellow "making you feel good" groove. It is hard to beat. Whether cruising on a road trip, kickin back with family & friends on lazy summer night or out on a date & trying to set the mood, this album feels good and enhances the positve vibe.

G-love and Special Sauce's style of Blues/Hip-hop/funk is very reminiscent of the genre's trailblazer, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. With beats that your foot can't help but tap to and witty, tounge-in-cheek lyrics about Sex and Life in the big city, Special Sauce owes as much to Mr. Spencer as they do McDonalds. With all comparison's aside, though, this CD accomplishes exactly what it was made to. Its a CD that you can turn on and let play from track 1-14 without skipping a track. hooray.

Hey, G. Love & Special Sauce has been my favorite band since the day I was introduced to them back in 1994. I was hooked when I heard "Baby's Got Sauce". They mix hip-hop, rock and blues into a great original flavor that now many musical artists are trying to immitate. There are so many great songs on the CD and you'll be drawn in. I heard this album first, and then the others when they came out. So, I recommend starting with this one. I think that you'll love the style of these Philly boys. Put this baby in your collection, dig? Peace & One Love.

G Love & Special Sauce border the gap between a gimmick and art. The catch is, that G Love isn't a gimmick in the same nature that a guy singing 90's grunge songs with a jazz big band is (which by the way DOES exist most unfortunately). G Love's music is absolutely a blast to listen to. The delivery of the lyrics gives the music something concretely distinctive. The lyrics are genius and inoffensive (which is refreshing to hear). Also, G Love is a musician opposed to a guy who sells music. Granted, the music isn't terribly complex, but simple as it is, G Love shows some talent through his guitar playing and harmonica work. Some songs stand out more than others do, but this album is overall a gem. Fans of Jack Johnson and Beck owe a listen to G Love and Special Sauce.