Le Diamant Brut: Akina Adderley & The Vintage Playboys

What’s the Deal: When the same old sounds of 6th Street and the musical staples of this town get you down, you need a quick and potent pick me up, and there’s little better prescription than a good injection of some soul and funk. Enter Akina Adderley and The Vintage Playboys. This smooth operation of eight or so fronted by the bright pipes of Akina Adderley is just what Austin needs in times of musical woe. The group’s sound jostles back and forth between the throw your hands up and “shake it like a tambourine” tunes with enthusiastic bursts from the horn section and warm and sultry numbers as slick as silk and sweet like honey drips.

“Venom Like Wine” is one of the more woeful and emotionally poisonous songs on AAVP’s self-titled debut released in late March of this year. A somber horn section bellows alongside aching keys and Akina’s pleading vocals thick with feeling. “I’m Gone” is the opening track from the same album, and it starts things off with a bang. It’s spirited, upbeat and affirming with plenty of old school sass and an irresistible chorus to boot.

Something Interesting: In case you are wondering, she is in fact the granddaughter of jazz trumpeter Nat Adderley, Sr. and the great niece of saxophonist “Cannonball” Adderley. That’s quite a pedigree.

Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “Anyone But You”

To see the actual page, including a review of Yoshida Brothers, go to:  AAVP Austinist Review