G. Love & Special Sauce Album: “Hustle [Japan]”

i was dragged to a concert back in the early 90's in a small bar in DC, and this guy gets up and starts wailing on his harmonica. there must have been less than 100 of us in this place, and he hooked all of us from his first note. i've been a g-love believer ever since (and admitting a minor slip with "electric mile", but he had enough behind him to overlook it), and this album does not stray. we played it through the first time and can honestly say that i didn't want it to end. the production is top-rate, and every song on this album shows why he has such staying power. he refuses to slide into the mainstream while staying true to his unique sound and style, and this album can count as one of his best.

I own 6 of G Love's albums. This one was the first I bought and it remains my favourite. I was one of many who discovered G Love through Jack Johnson. The first time I heard 'the Hustle', I couldn't stand the first 5 of 6 tracks. It was the more acoustic second half of the cd that enticed me. 'Front Porch Lounger' and 'Sunshine' were played over and over again on my cd player.

However, it wasn't long before the more upbeat tracks grew on me and it became one of those rare albums that I could play right the way through. G Love has a really unique sloppy blues/rap sound - incredibly relaxing, great to listen to any time of the day. Definitely recommended.

Favourite Tracks:

Don't Drop It

Front Porch Lounger

Ain't That Right

Loving Me

The Hustle is album worth buying. All the songs are solid. The Astronaut is a cool song. Love uis a real happy fun song. Booty Call is a funny song song with a good groove. Give it to you with Jack Johnson it has a nice reagee beat. Back of the bus and fishing song are awesome. Most of the other songs are mostly acoustic and good for smokin a J n sippin a cold brew and enjoying the good tunes.

I have been a fan of G. Love and Special Sauce for several years. While his other albums are great, "The Hustle" has somehow topped all of them. It offers a well rounded listening experience, frequently changing pace throughout the album.

The band hits on all it's strengths in "The Hustle". The strong guitar riff in Astronaut is reminiscent of Cold Beverages, while Back of the Bus is the second coming of Rodeo Clowns.

While other albums such as "Coast to Coast Motel" have a distinctly different sound, "The Hustle" is a compilation of all the band's experimentations. This album exemplifies the versatility that makes G. Love and Special Sauce great.

Another great album from G. Although I felt the production and overall feelgood vibe that G Love personifies slipped a little on Electric Mile ( although still some great tunes on that album), this one feels back on track with a few gems in there. I have been a fan for a while now and have to say this one is fast becoming my favourite. It still has that raw feel about it ( like their self titled album)but the production is up there with Philadelphonic. A great effort by a great band doing their own thing in their own style. I love my blues and hate rap, but G Love just gets it right. Some wicked basslines in there too. Well worth the purchase!